Reference
For High School and College level
This is a very personal and refreshingly frank series of writings by a lady-in-waiting of the Heian court in Japan. Sei Shōnagon critiques the world around her in terms that students often can understand, whether she is making cracks about the men at court, commenting on another lady's taste in clothing, or fussing about fleas. The book is also filled with reflections on nature and life. Sei Shōnagon is considered one of the greatest writers of prose in Japanese history. [Review by Brenda G. Jordan]
I have often used short sections of this book--easy to do since it is written in short sections--in classes. This book provides a more lively and spirited counterpart to The Tale of Genji, and students are always interested to hear that Sei Shōnagon and Murasaki Shikibu were in rival circles at the same court. Highly recommended.
