The Diary of Lady Murasaki

The Diary of Lady Murasaki is a record kept by the author during her years at the court of Empress Shōshi. It covers a period of roughly two years and mixes daily observation with reflection. Murasaki describes the birth of a royal prince, the ceremonies that surrounded it, and the dress and manners of the courtiers. She also writes candidly about her own shyness, her feelings of being an outsider, and her opinions of other court women, including famous rivals. A section in the form of a letter offers frank sketches of her contemporaries. The diary is valuable as history, and it gives a rare personal voice from the world in which The Tale of Genji was written.