The Pillow Book
Sei ShōnagonWritten a thousand years ago and still the most relatable thing you will read this year.
“In spring it is the dawn. The sky, growing lighter and lighter, is tinged with the faintest red, and the mountain peaks show a little above the rim of clouds.”
— Sei Shōnagon
Why It's Lindy
Written a thousand years ago and still the most relatable thing you will read this year. Sei Shōnagon's lists of "things that make one's heart beat faster" and "things that are unpleasant" read like the best blog posts ever written. The Heian court she describes is a world of pure aesthetic judgment — the original Lindy taste-filter.
About This Volume
A collection of lists, observations, gossip, and reflections kept by a lady-in-waiting at the Heian imperial court around 1000 AD — the world's first personal essay collection.
Frequently Asked
Why should I read The Pillow Book?
Written a thousand years ago and still the most relatable thing you will read this year. Sei Shōnagon's lists of "things that make one's heart beat faster" and "things that are unpleasant" read like the best blog posts ever written. The Heian court she describes is a world of pure aesthetic judgment — the original Lindy taste-filter.
What is The Pillow Book about?
A collection of lists, observations, gossip, and reflections kept by a lady-in-waiting at the Heian imperial court around 1000 AD — the world's first personal essay collection.
