Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan

Murasaki Shikibu

Best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, she was a court lady whose writing helped define Japanese literature. Her work opens a vivid window onto life, feeling, and politics in the Heian court.

Sugawara no Takasue no Musume

b. 1008

A sharp, observant voice from Japan’s Heian court, she is best known for the intimate memoir now called the Sarashina Diary. Her writing blends youthful longing, travel, reading, dreams, and quiet reflection on how a life changes over time.