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The Pillow Book

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The Pillow Book

By: Sei Shōnagon
Narrated by: Georgina Sutton
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Summary
 The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon is a fascinating, detailed account of Japanese court life in the closing years of the 10th century. Written by a lady of the court at the height of Heian culture, this book enthrals with its lively gossip, witty observations and subtle impressions.

Lady Shonagon was an erstwhile rival of Lady Murasaki, whose novel, The Tale of Genji, fictionalized the elite world Lady Shonagon so eloquently relates. Featuring reflections on royal and religious ceremonies, nature, conversation, poetry and many other subjects, The Pillow Book is an intimate look at the experiences and outlook of the Heian upper class.

Sei Shonagon, born around 965, was lady-in-waiting to Empress Sadako and between the early 990s and 1002, she kept these ‘personal notes’, recording what she saw and encountered with wit, accuracy and intelligence. There is immense variety here. There are more than 320 entries, each with its own heading: ‘Birds’, Trees’, ‘When His Excellency The Chancellor Had Departed’, ‘Unreliable Things’.... Some entries are very brief, no more than ‘asides’, and there are even concise lists. Some reflect the sensitive Japanese response to nature or patterned silk, and there are longer narratives of incidents involving prominent political figures. Her singular humour is often to the fore: ‘Masahiro really is a laughing stock. I wonder what it is like for his parents and friends.’

But there are also entries which reflect a considerate nature as shown in ‘One of Her Majesty’s Wet-Nurses’.

While Arthur Waley’s classic translation remains well-known it was abridged, and this Ukemi recording presents the translation by Ivan Morris, the first unabridged English version. It is fluent and lively, and reflects the sparkling character of Sei Shonagon’s writing which, in the 21st century, belies its ancient origins and its academic standing as one of the great works of Japanese literature. This is perfectly captured by in Georgina Sutton’s reading.©1979 Estate of Ivan Morris (P)2022 Ukemi Productions Ltd 17th Century African Classics Historical Literary History & Criticism Modern World World Literature Witty
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Throughout history there have been moments in time when poetry was informative or entertainment, whether spoken, sang or written. The Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon is where we live vicariously through the life of a lady in waiting to Empress Sadako during the Heian dynasty, we get a chatty up close and personal account of Japanese culture, ritual, nature, people, fashion, gossip as part of the royal court at the close of the 10th century. Thoroughly enjoyable listen to history from the Girls side.
Thank you for your collection of words Sei Shōnagon, your translation Ivan Morris, and your sublime eloquence Georgina Sutton,
very much appreciated :-)

Poetic accounts of court life

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This is a book of observations, many of them acute, of great historical interest, from the Japanese imperial court around 1000 years ago. The author, a lady in waiting to the Empress, is intelligent, an aesthete, a gossip, a snob, and a poet. Unforgettable, and very well read in a crisp, tart way that suits the subject matter.

A superb time capsule

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