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The Pillow Book

Sei Shōnagon · 1002

A collection of observations, lists and anecdotes by Sei Shōnagon, a court lady who served a rival empress and whom Murasaki criticised in her own diary.

Sei Shōnagon was a rival court writer whom Murasaki criticised in her diary, making comparison useful for students.

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Front cover of the 1928 book The Pillow-Book of Sei Shonagon, translated by Arthur Waley. Title in dark blue capitals over a tan background with red line-drawn pine branches. Blurb text in red describes the book as written nearly a thousand years ago by a woman famous for wit, poetry and lovers, and mentions Lady Murasaki's novel The Tale of Genji.
Sei Shōnagon, The Pillow Book, 1002 (cover of 1928 English translation by Arthur Waley).

About this source

What it is

The Pillow Book is a collection of essays, lists, poems and anecdotes written by Sei Shōnagon, a court lady who served Empress Teishi in the 990s and early 1000s. It was completed around 1002, during the Heian period in Japan.

Why it matters

Sei Shōnagon served a rival court to the one Murasaki Shikibu knew, and Murasaki criticised her sharply in her own diary. Comparing their writing helps students see how two of the greatest Heian women writers viewed each other and their world differently.

Look closer

  • What kinds of things does Sei Shōnagon choose to write about?
  • Why might a court lady write mainly for herself rather than for a wide audience?
  • What does the rivalry between these two writers tell you about court life at the time?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Murasaki Shikibu on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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