{"product_id":"the-pillow-book-of-sei-shonagon-the-diary-of-a-courtesan-in-tenth-century-japan-paperback","title":"The Pillow Book of SEI Shonagon: The Diary of a Courtesan in Tenth Century Japan - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eArthur Waley\u003c\/b\u003e (Translator), \u003cb\u003eDennis Washburn\u003c\/b\u003e (Foreword by)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTake a firsthand journey into a time, society and world full of intrigue.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA new introduction by respected Japanese literary scholar Dennis Washburn provides historical insight into Japanese culture, Sei Shonagon's world, and Waley's translation.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eArthur Waley\u003c\/b\u003e (1889-1966) taught himself Chinese and Japanese after being appointed Assistant Keeper of Oriental Prints and Manuscripts at the British Museum to help catalog the paintings in the museum's collection. He went on to renown as one of the most respected translators of Asian classics into English of his time. His long list of translated works includes \u003ci\u003eThe Tale of Genji, Monkey (The Journey to the West), The Noh Plays of Japan\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Analects of Confucius\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eDennis Washburn\u003c\/b\u003e is Professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Languages and Literatures and Comparative Literature at Dartmouth College. He is the author of \u003ci\u003eTranslating Mount Fuji: Modern Japanese Fiction and the Ethics of Identity\u003c\/i\u003e and translator of \u003ci\u003eTemple of the Wild Geese\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eBamboo Dolls of Echizen\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 128\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.5 x 8 x 5.1 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e August 07, 2018\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51769732596000,"sku":"9784805314623","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/202b3ab538c137399712cf716cad56da_0f3e7da3-2a8d-442e-9622-2dcd34a94f92.webp?v=1780354910","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/the-pillow-book-of-sei-shonagon-the-diary-of-a-courtesan-in-tenth-century-japan-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}