THE PILLOW BOOK

Discover the fascinating world of the Japanese Imperial Court from the turn of the 10th and 11th centuries, as seen through the eyes of Sei Shonagon, a court lady and keen observer. "The Pillow Book" is a collection of essays, poems, and anecdotes that transport the reader through time and space, offering a unique insight into the life of the aristocracy.

• Zuihitsu: A unique literary genre combining notes, reflections, and improvisations.
• Sei Shonagon: The author, a court lady, a keen observer of everyday life.
• Imperial Court: Fascinating stories and anecdotes from the life of the aristocracy.
• Poems and Prose: A combination of different literary forms in one work.
• Document of the Era: An interesting insight into the culture and customs of Japan from the 10th and 11th centuries.
• University of Warsaw: Recommendation by Dr. Anna Zalewska.

"The Pillow Book" is not just a reading, but also a fascinating document from the life of a certain social group. Thanks to the talent of Sei Shonagon, we can get to know the Imperial Court as a place full of intrigues, funny situations, and human weaknesses. The author, gifted with poetic talent and temperament, boldly describes what interested her, not refraining from malice or emotion. Her observations allow us to treat her like a good friend with whom we share secrets and gossip.

Dr. Anna Zalewska from the University of Warsaw emphasizes that "The Pillow Book" is the beginning of the zuihitsu genre in Japan and one of its most beautiful examples. It combines poems, funny stories from the Imperial Court, lists of beautiful and boring things, short lists of names of mountains and plains, and melancholic sketches about the behavior of a lover. Lady Sei Shonagon was an extremely keen observer of everyday life, which makes her notes an extremely valuable source of knowledge about that era.

Dialog Akademickie Publishing presents this unique work in a paperback cover, measuring 14.5x20.5 cm. The book has 374 pages and was published in 2013. "The Pillow Book" is a must-read for all lovers of Japanese culture, fine literature, and history. Let yourself be transported back in time and discover the world of the Imperial Court from Sei Shonagon's perspective.

Thanks to this book, we get to know the people who filled the Japanese Imperial Court as people with their smaller or larger flaws, in everyday situations. This makes the Pillow Book not only an interesting read, but also a fascinating document from the life of a certain social group, and we begin to treat Sei Shonagon herself as a good friend.