{"product_id":"the-pillow-book-of-sei-shonagon-9784805314623","title":"The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon","description":"\u003cb\u003eTake a firsthand journey into a time, society and world full of intrigue.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In 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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA new introduction by respected Japanese literary scholar Dennis Washburn provides historical insight into Japanese culture, Sei Shonagon's world, and Waley's translation.","brand":"Arthur Waley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48268686950651,"sku":"9784805314623","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/3917\/9771\/files\/CoreSourceHub_10ee50d8-1cdd-4467-80f5-d444e1648a5b.jpg?v=1778758132","url":"https:\/\/indiepubs.com\/products\/the-pillow-book-of-sei-shonagon-9784805314623","provider":"IndiePubs","version":"1.0","type":"link"}