(1) 4834273520 NHK Manga Classics 1: The Pillow Book
I'm Sei Shonagon, or Nagon, as you may call me. My job is to serve the Empress. I began writing about everything I saw and heard while working alongside the ladies of the harem and the handsome gentlemen, in my own style. I just couldn't stop writing...and that's how "The Pillow Book" became a timeless bestseller. It's full of fascinating stories about upper-class life in the Heian period, as well as my own exploits, so please check it out!
(2) 4834273547 NHK Manga Classics 2: Sarashina Nikki and Kagero Nikki
Sara-chan, a literary Heian period girl who dreams of a dramatic love affair with a nobleman, writes about her passionate desire for a splendid and extravagant tale. Meanwhile, Kagero-san, the mother of Fujiwara no Michitsuna, a highly popular Heian period beauty who struggled with her unfaithful husband, writes in beautiful kana about the sweets and sorrows of her married life. These two classic diaries, capturing the thoughts and lives of Heian women, are now available in easy-to-read, super-translated comic versions.
(3) 4834273555 NHK Manga Classics 3: The Tale of Genji and the Tale of Ise
The Heian period is the elegant world of the imperial aristocracy. The Tale of Genji depicts the splendid life of Hikaru Genji, the son of an emperor, whose extraordinary beauty led to many love affairs. The Tale of Ise vividly conveys through song and story the unrestrained love and travel of a young aristocrat, likely the genius poet Ariwara no Narihira. This is a classic example of romantic narrative literature, featuring passionate noblemen who conveyed their love to women through beautiful waka poetry and sometimes even wetting their sleeves with tears of love.
