The classic portrayal of court life in tenth-century Japan Written by the court gentlewoman Sei Shonagon, ostensibly for her own amusement, The Pillow Book offers a fascinating exploration of life among the nobility at the height of the Heian period, describing the exquisite pleasures of a confined world in which poetry, love, fashion, and whim dominated, while harsh reality was kept firmly at a distance. Moving elegantly across a wide range of themes including nature, society, and her own flirtations, Sei Shonagon provides a witty and intimate window on a woman's life at court in classical Japan. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Sei Shonagon
Sei Shonagon was a Japanese writer and court lady who lived during the Heian period (794-1185). She is best known for her work "The Pillow Book," a collection of essays, lists, and anecdotes that provide a glimpse into the daily life and culture of the imperial court. Shonagon's writing is characterized by its wit, observational humor, and keen attention to detail. Her work has had a lasting impact on the genre of zuihitsu, or "personal essays," in Japanese literature. Through "The Pillow Book," Shonagon has become one of the most celebrated female writers in Japanese literary history.