{"product_id":"the-pillow-book-of-sei-shonagon-the-diary-of-a-courtesan-in-tenth-century-japan-hardcover","title":"The Pillow Book of SEI Shonagon: The Diary of a Courtesan in Tenth Century Japan - Hardcover","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eArthur Waley\u003c\/b\u003e (Translator), \u003cb\u003eDennis Washburn\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJapan in the 10th century stood physically and culturally isolated from the rest of the world. Inside this bubble, a subtle and beautiful world was in operation, and its inhabitants were tied to the moment, having no interest in the future and disdain for the past. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon\u003c\/i\u003e was a product of a tenth-century courtier's experiences in the palace of Empress Teishi. A common custom of the time period, courtiers used to keep notes or a diary in a wooden pillow with a drawer. This \"pillow book\" reflects the confident aesthetic judgments of Shonagon and her ability to create prose that crossed into the realm of the poetic. \u003ci\u003eThe Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon\u003c\/i\u003e is one of the earliest examples of diary literature whose passages chronicle the events of the court calendar, the ceremonies and celebrations specific to Teishi's court, and the vignettes that provide brilliantly drawn glimpses into the manners and foibles of the aristocracy. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA contemporary of Murasaki Shikibu, the author of \u003ci\u003eThe Tale of Genji\u003c\/i\u003e, this small diary brings an added dimension to Murasaki's timeless and seminal work. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eArthur Waley's elegant translation of \u003ci\u003eThe Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon\u003c\/i\u003e captures the beauty of its prose and the vitality of Shonagon's narrative voice, as well as her quirky personality traits. In a place and time where poetry was as important as knowledge and beauty was highly revered, Sei Shonagon's private writings give the reader a charming and intimate glimpse into a time of isolated innocence and pale beauty.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eArthur Waley\u003c\/b\u003e (1889-1966) taught himself Chinese and Japanese after being appointed Assistant Keeper of Oriental Prints and Manuscripts at the British Museum. He was one of the most respected translators of Asian classics into English of his time, with his translated works including \u003ci\u003eThe Tale of Genji\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eMonkey (The Journey to the West) \u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Noh Plays of Japan\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Analects of Confucius\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 144\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.7 x 7.6 x 5.2 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 10, 2011\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51978445652269,"sku":"9784805311080","price":16.15,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0938\/3185\/6429\/files\/NWFnNkxpUGo1bUh3RFZPVVZKNys0UT09.webp?v=1775805203","url":"https:\/\/ishookbooks.com\/products\/the-pillow-book-of-sei-shonagon-the-diary-of-a-courtesan-in-tenth-century-japan-hardcover","provider":"iShook Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}