by Sei Shonagon
translated by Ivan Morris

The Diary of Murasaki Shikibu
Japanese diarist Murasaki Shikibu lived and wrote at approximately the same time as Shonagon. Follow Shikibu through the events of her daily life at this site. Skim enough of the diary to become familiar with the writer's style. In what way is Shikibu's style similar to and different from Shonagon's? Write a comparison of their styles.

Japanese Women in the Heian Period (794-1185)
Shonagon wrote The Pillow Book during a time in Japanese history called the Heian Period. At this time, Japanese women were highly valued members of society and were considered the keys to family advancement. Visit this fascinating site to discover how and why this was true. Using the journals you have read as inspiration, record some events of the past days of your life in a journal. Then note in what ways your entry is similar to and different from those you have read.