Murasaki Shikibu Nikki (紫式部日記)

Rating: ☆☆☆☆

Title: The Diary of Lady Murasaki

Author: Murasaki Shikibu

Genre: NF / Memoir / Jpn

Read: 29th July 2005





Comments: As the title would suggest this is the diary of Lady Murasaki Shikibu, the author of The Tale of Genji, which has often been called the world's first novel. It offers a insider's view on life at the imperial court of Heian (794-1185) Japan and is filled with detailed descriptions of court ceremonies, fashions and poetry. If you're into Heian literature, or want more background on the Tale of Genji, this is the book for you. If you're not, you'd probably find it mind-bendingly dull and should skip it at all costs. (Personally, I loved it, but that's the kind of geek I am)

Quote: 'Looking around within the blinds, I could see that those permitted the forbidden colors were wearing the usual yellow-green and red jackets...'

The Diary of Lady Murasaki

see also

The Tale of Murasaki by Liza Dalby

and

The Tale of Genji translated by Royall Tyler