Murasaki Shikibu's diary at court

1008

The author of Genji recorded brilliant snatches of Heian palace life: the birth of a prince, snow falling on courtyards, the cattiness of rival ladies-in-waiting. Her diary survives as one of the most intimate windows into any pre-modern court anywhere on earth, a small literary miracle. She also offered a sharp assessment of her rival Sei Shonagon, calling her writings pretentious and destined to age badly.