This book is set about 200 years after the events described in the diaries of Sei Shonagon and Lady Murasaki (and tale of Genji), however, this memoir reveals a world fossilised, doing it's very best to imitate the 'elegant' world shown in Lady Murasaki's masterwork Tale of Genji. What comes across is a very conservative society, and if you weren't told the dates of the events taking place you would believe they were set in the 10th or 11th century.

The writer of this memoir is a very independant and sensual woman - who took her lovers regardless of the consequences. The second half of the memoir details her travels around Japan's sacred shrines as a nun later in life. Lady Nijo constantly finds on her travels that the world outside Hein-Kyoto has changed since the days the poems she learnt at court as description of Japan's famous sights were written. Some of the old 'famous' sights have gone and she finds new ones to fill their hole.

If you've an interest in these old Japanese diaries and memoirs, this should be added to your list. It's a later, and lesser known book, but worth the effort of reading.

This book is important for many reasons. In terms of literature, it gives a glimps into the world of a court lady in a time when the court is disintegrating (late Kamakura Japan), showing the vibrant spirit of a woman looking back over her years. As a work of historical value, it shows one view of Japan before it plunges into the longest successive strugle the country ever faced: the Northern and Souther Courts period of the mid 14th century. A must read for those who want a look into what Japan became after the hayday of the Heian courts.

The author has captured the true essence of life by mearlyliving and recording life to the best of her ablitity.It was writtenand tranalated beutifully without gory explicit details that many authors today feel is nessacary.But I now know is not.This book has every aspect of love,loss,happiness,life with all of it quirks.IT is a must read for anyone.Steeped in respect,and deeply rich in tradtion.It is now on my list of favorites!