The Diary of Lady Murasaki
(Autor) Murasaki ShikibuThe Diary recorded by Lady Murasaki (c. 973-c. 1020), author of The Tale of Genji, is an intimate picture of her life as tutor and companion to the young Empress Shoshi. Told in a series of vignettes, it offers revealing glimpses of the Japanese imperial palace - the auspicious birth of a prince, rivalries between the Emperor's consorts, with sharp criticism of Murasaki's fellow ladies-in-waiting and drunken courtiers, and telling remarks about the timid Empress and her powerful father, Michinaga. The Diary is also a work of great subtlety and intense personal reflection, as Murasaki makes penetrating insights into human psychology - her pragmatic observations always balanced by an exquisite and pensive melancholy.
Murasaki Shikibu
Murasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist and poet, best known for her masterpiece "The Tale of Genji." Her poetic and lyrical writing style revolutionized Japanese literature, influencing generations of writers. Shikibu's work is considered one of the world's first novels and a landmark in the history of literature.
Other related
