Everything you need to understand or teach The Pillow Book by Sei Shōnagon.
The Pillow Book is a journal written by a tenth-century lady-in-waiting to the Empress of Japan. The author is Sei Shonagon, and she was given some notebooks that were lying around the Palace that no one else wanted. The Pillow Book is her journal, and the topics she covers are varied. She writes poetry in her journal, gossips about the people in the court, and writes about the wonders of nature.
There is no real plot in The Pillow Book, although there are recurring characters and themes. Some of her recurring themes include beauty, position, and nature. Recurring characters are other courtiers, especially the Emperor and Empress. Shonagon's life consists of taking care of the Empress, preparing for festivals and special occasions, and going on pilgrimages to temples. Occasionally, she goes home to visit her family, but after many years at the Palace, the Palace feels like her real home.
... View more of the The Pillow Book of Sei Sh¯onagon, Translated [from the Japanese] and Edited by Ivan Morris SummaryThe Pillow Book of Sei Sh¯onagon, Translated [from the Japanese] and Edited by Ivan Morris Lesson Plans contain 138 pages of teaching material, including:
