The diary of Lady Murasaki

Author(s)

• 紫式部 ムラサキシキブ
• Bowring, Richard John

Bibliographic Information

The diary of Lady Murasaki

translated and introduced by Richard Bowring

（Penguin classics）

Penguin Books, 1996

Other Title

Murasaki Shikibu nikki

Uniform Title

紫式部日記 (紫式部 : KOTEN:510838)

Note

Translation of: 紫式部日記

Description and Table of Contents

Description

The 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.

Table of Contents

Preface A Note on Japanese Names and Dates Introduction Cultural background The author The diary THE DIARY OF LADY MURASAKIAppendix I: Ground-plans and Map Appendix II: Additional Sources A Guide to Further Reading

by "Nielsen BookData"

• NCID: BA27574194
• ISBN:
  • 014043576X
• Country Code: uk
• Title Language Code: eng
• Text Language Code: eng
• Original Language Code: jpn
• Place of Publication: London ; New York
• Pages/Volumes: li, 91 p.
• Size: 20 cm
• Classification:
  • NDC8 : 915.35
  • DC20 : 895.681403
• Subject Headings:
  • BLSH : Murasaki Shikibu, b. 978? -- Diaries
  • LCSH : Women authors, Japanese -- Heian period, 794-1185 -- Diaries
  • LCSH : Japan -- Social life and customs -- 795-1185
• Parent Bibliography ID:
  • BA00305646
• Uniform Title ID:
  • EA00367728