{"product_id":"9784805314623","title":"The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon","description":"Author: Arthur Waley\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9784805314623\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Berkeley Books\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 01 Jul 2020\u003cbr\u003ePages: 128\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the tenth century, Japan stood physically and culturally isolated from the rest of the world. Sei Shonagon a young courtesan of the Heian period kept a diary, which provides a highly personal account of the intrigues, dalliances, quirks, and habits of Japan's late tenth-century elite.\u0026amp;nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe was a contemporary and acquaintance of the well-known courtesan Murasaki Shikibu, author of the Japanese masterpiece \u003ci\u003eThe Tale of Genji\u003c\/i\u003e. A perfect companion to that work, \u003ci\u003eThe Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon\u003c\/i\u003e brings an added dimension to Murasaki's timeless and seminal novel and further illuminates Japanese court life in all its ritualistic glory.\u0026amp;nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThrough his elegant and readable abridged translation, Arthur Waley perfectly conveys Sei Shonagon's girlish temperament and quirky personality. In a place and time where poetry was as important as knowledge and beauty was highly revered, Sei Shonagon's private writings offer a charming, intimate glimpse into a world of innocence and pale beauty.\u0026amp;nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA new introduction by respected Japanese literary scholar Dennis Washburn provides historical insight into Japanese culture, Sei Shonagon's world, and Waley's translation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46688063520926,"sku":"ADS-9784805314623","price":16.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9784805314623.jpg?v=1775631685","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9784805314623","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}