Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan by Izumi Shikibu et al.

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About this eBook

Translator Omori, Annie Shepley
Author Izumi Shikibu, 974?-
Author Murasaki Shikibu, 978?-
Author Sugawara no Takasue no Musume, 1008-
Translator Doi, Kochi, 1886-
LoC No. 21000128
Title Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan
Note Reading ease score: 80.1 (6th grade). Easy to read.
Contents The Sarashina diary -- The diary of Murasaki Shikibu -- The diary of Izumi Shikubu.
Credits Produced by Madeleine Fournier and Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by
Summary "Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan" translated by Annie Shepley Omori and Kochi Doi is a historical collection of personal diaries written during the early 11th century. This work presents an intimate glimpse into the lives of Japanese noblewomen during the Heian Period, showcasing their thoughts, experiences, and interactions within the court. The diaries reveal the complex emotional landscape of these women, particularly regarding love, loss, and societal expectations, portrayed through nuanced poetry and prose. At the start of the "Sarashina Diary," the narrator reflects on her upbringing in a distant province and her yearning to read romances, particularly tales about the romantic Shining Prince Genji. She describes her emotional farewell to her childhood home as she journeys to the royal city, capturing the varying landscapes and her emotions throughout the voyage. The narrative reveals her vulnerability, as she experiences homesickness and a profound desire for connection, depicted through her poignant poetry and relationships with family members. The opening sets the stage for a coming-of-age tale imbued with dreams, aspirations, and the trials of a sensitive soul in a world filled with beauty and sorrow. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class DS: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: Asia
LoC Class PL: Language and Literatures: Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania
Subject Japanese diaries -- Women authors -- Translations into English
Subject Japan -- Court and courtiers
Category Text
EBook-No. 47151
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Apr 4, 2024
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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