21–128
An introduction to the book by Amy Lowell describes the time and environment in which the ladies of these diaries wrote and gives a biographical sketch of each of them. The time was the middle of the Heian period which lasted from 794 to 1186, when Japan was thoroughly civilized, even “a little overcivilized, a little too fined down and delicate” and when women occupied an advanced position—they were educated, allowed a share of inheritance and had their own houses. Much of the best literature of Japan has been written by women. A common characteristic of the diaries is delicacy, rare and exquisite taste and skill in poetic composition. The ladies are Sarashina, Murasaki Shikibu and Izumi Shikibu. The illustrations are from Japanese prints, some in color, and the appendix contains an Old Japanese calendar and a chronological table of events connected with the diaries.
“A delightful curiosity and an attractively made book.”
+ Booklist 17:149 Ja ’21
“The literary quality of the three diaries is extremely high. They would all be eminently readable if written only yesterday. Added to the joyment of their intrinsic merits is the fact that they present a faithful picture of the court life of the times as well as some singularly striking contrasts between three women of totally different temperaments.”
+ N Y Times p16 D 26 ’20 2050w
Reviewed by E. L. Pearson
+ Review 3:558 D 8 ’20 60w
O’NEILL, EUGENE GLADSTONE. Beyond the horizon; a play in three acts. *$1.50 Boni & Liveright 812