- Paperback: 419 pages
- Publisher: Columbia University Press (9 Dec 1991)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0231073372
- ISBN-13: 978-0231073370
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.5 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,840,228 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon has not only amply filled the long-felt need for a full English translation, but has also made a contribution to Heian studies... A mine of information... [Morris's] translation maintains a high quality throughout. Journal of Asian Studies The Pillow Book is one of the three most important works of its kind in Japanese literature, and Professor Morris has given it handsome treatment. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland Gives all sorts of insights into the court life of the times, and into the worldly character and mentality of its author. It comes over extraordinarily well in this translation, and can rank with any other collection of court memoirs the world over. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies The liveliest and most endearing of Heian writers, and the one who gives the most intimate and vivid picture of life at court... Its denizens emerge as real and never-to-be-forgotten people... One can be but grateful to Professor Morris that the whole spectacle is now presented to the world... [his] translation is admirable for its smoothness and readability. Professor Morris belongs to the literary rather than the literal school of translators, and his talents are here shown at their best. Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies
Product Description
The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon is an immensely detailed account of court life in eleventh-century Japan. Written at the height of Heian culture, it is a classic text of great literary beauty, full of lively anecdotes, humorous observations, and subtle impressions. Sei Shonagon was a contemporary and erstwhile rival of Lady Murasaki, whose novel, The Tale of Genji, fictionalized the court life that Lady Shonagon captures so vividly in her diary. The Pillow Book contains her reflections on royal and religious ceremonies, nature, pilgrimage, conversation, and poetry. Lady Shonagon shares character sketches and the things she both loves and loathes. Her style is so eloquent, her wit so sharp, even the briefest fragments enchant us. There is no better introduction to the daily preoccupations of the Heian upper class, and Ivan Morris's notes and contextualization enrich the material for scholars and general readers.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is a woman writing over a thousand years ago, but it doesn't seem like it. Through her annecdotes of court life, we gradually get a picture of a very different life style to our own. What really drew me to the book was that Sei Shonagon writes in such a way that you feel as if you know her. She is petty, rude and snobbish but in such a human way, the way that everyone is. Her humanity and outspokeness make what could be a very dull historial document become a joy to read. It is a pillow book, that is, almost a notepad. Sei Shonagon used it to jot down any thoughts which came into her head, whether they be about the latest fashions, her lover or the beauty of the spring flowers. There are many lists of her likes and dislikes - hateful things including snoring and mosquitos. This is a book which is at times, beautiful, surprising and very funny. You will find that it is not so much a historial document as a revealing picture of a very interesting if sometimes silly woman.
19 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is a very interesting book, allowing readers to gain an insight into a long forgotten time in history. Shonagon fills her book with details about life in the Japanese court. The characters are all interesting and timeless. From reading this book you are certainly transported to another world entirely, where different things are regarded as important within the society, such as poetry for expressing emotions, especially between lovers or potential lovers.
Ivan Morris also adds to this book, by providing very detailed and informative notes to accompany the text.
I enjoyed this book very much, however, if there is one problem I have with it, it is that Shonagon often appears very opinionated which at times I found quite irritating. However, the book is supposed to have been produced originally as a private piece, so perhaps I shouldn't fault her for that!
That said, I do rate this book highly. After all, it certainly takes you to another place and another time.
Ivan Morris also adds to this book, by providing very detailed and informative notes to accompany the text.
I enjoyed this book very much, however, if there is one problem I have with it, it is that Shonagon often appears very opinionated which at times I found quite irritating. However, the book is supposed to have been produced originally as a private piece, so perhaps I shouldn't fault her for that!
That said, I do rate this book highly. After all, it certainly takes you to another place and another time.
11 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
After reading The Pillow Book for a school assignment, I realized that I'd thoroughly enjoyed it. At first I thought, "What a pain in the butt! I have to read this boring thing." But as I got deeper and deeper into the book it enthralled me more and more. You can experience early Japanese culture at its best. I would reccommend this book to anyone who wants a taste of Japanese culture. I found it a little hard to read, but then I am only a ninth grader. This is a wonderful reading experience, and I admire Ivan Morris' excellence with translation of the Japanese language.
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