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Sei Shonagon
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Ivan Morris
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The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon Mass Market Paperback – September 30, 1971

by Sei Shonagon (Author), Ivan Morris (Translator)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 83 ratings
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Text: English, Japanese (translation)
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  1. Print length
    416 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Penguin Classics
  4. Publication date
    September 30, 1971
  5. Dimensions
    7 x 1 x 5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0140442367
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0140442366
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin Classics (September 30, 1971)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0140442367
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0140442366
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.1 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 1 x 5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 83 ratings

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  1. Sei Shonagon

    Sei Shonagon

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  2. Ivan Morris

    Ivan Morris

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
We don’t use a simple average to calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star. Our system gives more weight to certain factors—including how recent the review is and if the reviewer bought it on Amazon. Learn more
83 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

MJSH
5.0 out of 5 stars best price
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2024
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Son needed the book for college class. The best price found was here. Arrived on time and book was in good condition.
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Steven A. Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic of its time & culture.
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2019
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I found the book enjoyable, although I was incapable of reading it straight through. I realize that I'm writing anachronistically, but Shonagon's sense of entitlement makes her generally insufferable. I kept thinking, the child could've used a good spanking. A lesson in deprivation might have served her well.
3 people found this helpful
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Dennis Dimartino
5.0 out of 5 stars a classic
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2019
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The stories told are an amazing account of ancient Yamato. Shonagon was the first feminist. Her comfort with the court denizens she writes of and her astounding use of language mark this piece as a genuine classic, by a master.
One person found this helpful
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brain_spoon
5.0 out of 5 stars Charm and wit
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2015
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If you are interested in books that shed light on life in the old world, this book is for you! The striking thing about this book is that it really seems like Sei Shonagon (the author) wanted her work to be read by people of the future. It is almost like reading a blog from ancient Japan! She is very funny, and her cutting wit is relentless. This book is an absolute treasure, and this paperback publication is nicely presented.
6 people found this helpful
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David H.
3.0 out of 5 stars ABRIDGED VERSION -- Not a complete translation
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2018
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My review here is not of the book itself, but rather to alert readers that this is an ABRIDGED VERSION. It is not the complete Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon, but rather contains only a portion of the whole work. I wish this had been more clearly indicated in the product description. In any case, you should be aware that if you order this version you are not getting the whole thing.
62 people found this helpful
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Kathy Butler
4.0 out of 5 stars A regal Japan while Europe still had serfs and lice...
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2007
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There are many translations of this and I didn't like this one the best. I felt that this edition had been "censored", and that is unfortunate. Also, the organization by subject was a bit heavy-handed and unnecessary. I think that anyone who has every kept a journal would appreciate The Pillow Book in a less "pre-digested" form. The first time I read this (in college), it was translated with as little messing with as possible, and for that it deserves five stars...
9 people found this helpful
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Nikira
5.0 out of 5 stars The Pillow book
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2010
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I read this book 30 years ago in Russian translation. Remembered it forever and now bought it in English for my daughter to enjoy wonderful writing by Sei Shonagon, a woman lived more than a thousand years ago. Her feelings, description, impressions of her life touches you, amaze you. Besides learning about life in Japanese court from ancient times you will realize that life is the same for people from thousand years ago and us. I will recommend this book for any age, you will find there what you are capable to see.
7 people found this helpful
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Anna Gandour
5.0 out of 5 stars a true find
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2010
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I had heard about this book and this particular translation. I read a little bit at a time. Besides being a wonderful writer, this is a terrific Japanese history lesson. I absolutely love this book. the voice of the writer is unique, intelligent, whimsical, wise, and much more. You will want to start writing about the everyday scenes in your life as beautifully as she did.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on October 22, 2016
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Very good!!
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irini athanassakis
5.0 out of 5 stars merveilleux
Reviewed in France on January 4, 2016
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Wonderful! Sensual! Funny! Une merveilleuse facon de voir, ressentir et décrire les femmes les hommes les situations les gestes et choses de la vie.
One person found this helpful
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hamptoncherry
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the two best books written by women about Heian court of Japan.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 9, 2014
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It was an absolutely fascinating look into the Japan's Heian court life thousand years ago. It is quite alien to a modern person, but I couldn't help but find some similarities with today's society. My most rudimentary knowledge of Japanese makes me believe this is one of the astonishing works of translation too.

The book is very unlike anything I have read before in its random chapter arrangement. This is essentially a diary of sorts. It is very poetic and at times funny. Sometimes I had to stop and re-read a passage that stroke me as special. Beautiful observations of nature co-exist with sharp comments about people and their behaviour.

Sei Shonagon herself is a fascinating character. She is obviously educated, but at times sounds silly and petty. Her loyalty to her Empress is very touching. At the same time she is cruel and cold towards "ordinary" people. She seems to pay too much attention to the court dress and elegant verses. Being at court is the highest honour and achievement in life for her.

Apparent promiscuity of the Heian court, which seemed to be a norm, is surprising It was also a surprise to learn that so much had been borrowed from Chinese culture and fashion. Japanese way was regarded unsophisticated and unrefined, and everybody seems to defer to Chinese tradition, fashion and literature.

I wish we new more about what happened to Sei Shonagon, but she is well hidden behind those court curtains in the depth of centuries.
14 people found this helpful
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ermintrude
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the price.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2022
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Bought as a present and the recipient was delighted. I was worried about buying a book such as this (after all, its main purpose is to "look good") second hand, but it was in excellent condition. As such, well worth the price.
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Arbella
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 24, 2017
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My book arrived swiftly and was as described in the listing. Thank you! ^-^
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