Michitsuna's Mother

Michitsuna's mother is the author of the autobiographical work entitled, "The Kagero Diary." The woman is never identified beyond this description, other than the fact that she was a Japanese woman who lived over a 1,000 years ago. From her words and poetic expressions, it is apparent that the woman was a cultured and educated person with undeniable talents and abilities. The woman writes of her experiences from her marriage at a young age in approximately 949 through 974, which represent her later years when she finally finds peace in her heart and acceptance of a disappointing life.

The woman marries an older man named Fujiwara Kaneie who has relentlessly pursued her. Her instincts turn out to be right when at the age of nineteen she tells her father that Fujiwara is not suitable for her. Despite her reservations, Fujiwara is able to convince the woman and her father that...