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happycupcake666's review against another edition
informative
reflective
slow-paced
2.5
The parts about herself are quite okay, but this is mostly a record of the birth of a future emperor. Interesting for what it is
nikitasbookhaven's review against another edition
2.0
While picking this up instead of Tale of Genji only because this had few pages, I made a huge mistake. This is not a least bit interesting, reads like a police procedural shooting some high-profile wedding, gives no perspective on the thoughts of the women of the court and none on the novelist herself. A huge bore....
trenton_ross's review against another edition
4.0
great if your at all interested in Court life in Japan. Long descriptions of people and clothing and ceremonies. Lots of good gossip
minniesmiscellanies's review against another edition
5.0
5*
Another unexpected favourite! So much so that I'm putting it on my physical wishlist. I read it as a kind of appetiser for The Tale of Genji to see if Murasaki's writing style was to my taste before committing to 1.200 pages of Heian prose, and while I'm still to start The Tale of Genji, the diary is actually so beautiful that even if that one should turn out to be a flop, the author has already earned a place in my heart.
A good introduction is absolutely necessary to understand what's going on here, and Bowring has done a superb job without being too extensive. The first half is dedicated to a general overview of power, gender and social status in Heian Japan, followed by little spotlights on themes that are prevalent in the diary - poetry, religious rituals, architecture, fashion, court titles. The latter half contains a very short biography (Murasaki is similar to Shakespeare in that we know barely anything about her but have a fairly large body of work that people have been tempted to mine for autobiographical references) and discussions about the date of composition and the very likely possibility that what survives is only a fragment of the original diary.
As someone who knows barely enough about contemporary Japanese culture, let alone its history, I found the information very well-delivered and absolutely sufficient in helping me understand the diary. Bowring might perhaps have added a short sentence clarifying that Their Majesties are the imperial pair and Their Excellencies are the parents of the Empress, because I've seen some reviewers being confused about who is meant by those titles, but to me it was clear enough. On the point of translation I am hardly qualified to pass any kind of judgement, but the text was fluid to read and felt very immediate (the best kind of translation is when you feel like the author is speaking directly to you, not whispering the words into someone else's ear to pass it on to you). The only thing that tripped me up sometimes was the use of the title "bishop", which for me at least has exclusively Christian connotations and seemed out of place in a Japanese diary; but perhaps there is no good equivalent for the Japanese title in English and this is the best approximation Bowring could come up with.
While Murasaki's accounts of court rituals are without a doubt extremely interesting (especially her detailed descriptions of the ladies' dresses, though I can see how some people might find that exhausting in the long run), my favourite parts were actually the sudden self-reflecting passages interspersed throughout. Murasaki was obviously weighed down by something from her past that she never specified in her diary, but I imagine she must have been suffering a lot for her to become so melancholy on the most trivial of occasions. For example, shortly after the much-awaited birth of the Crown Prince, elaborate preparations begin for the arrival of the Emperor, part of which were of course flower decorations.
What is she trying to forget? What is this misery that is haunting her? Are the cut flowers and the delay of their decay any clues? I really would have liked to find out, to hear her confide what was obviously weighing her down so much.
Another unexpected favourite! So much so that I'm putting it on my physical wishlist. I read it as a kind of appetiser for The Tale of Genji to see if Murasaki's writing style was to my taste before committing to 1.200 pages of Heian prose, and while I'm still to start The Tale of Genji, the diary is actually so beautiful that even if that one should turn out to be a flop, the author has already earned a place in my heart.
A good introduction is absolutely necessary to understand what's going on here, and Bowring has done a superb job without being too extensive. The first half is dedicated to a general overview of power, gender and social status in Heian Japan, followed by little spotlights on themes that are prevalent in the diary - poetry, religious rituals, architecture, fashion, court titles. The latter half contains a very short biography (Murasaki is similar to Shakespeare in that we know barely anything about her but have a fairly large body of work that people have been tempted to mine for autobiographical references) and discussions about the date of composition and the very likely possibility that what survives is only a fragment of the original diary.
As someone who knows barely enough about contemporary Japanese culture, let alone its history, I found the information very well-delivered and absolutely sufficient in helping me understand the diary. Bowring might perhaps have added a short sentence clarifying that Their Majesties are the imperial pair and Their Excellencies are the parents of the Empress, because I've seen some reviewers being confused about who is meant by those titles, but to me it was clear enough. On the point of translation I am hardly qualified to pass any kind of judgement, but the text was fluid to read and felt very immediate (the best kind of translation is when you feel like the author is speaking directly to you, not whispering the words into someone else's ear to pass it on to you). The only thing that tripped me up sometimes was the use of the title "bishop", which for me at least has exclusively Christian connotations and seemed out of place in a Japanese diary; but perhaps there is no good equivalent for the Japanese title in English and this is the best approximation Bowring could come up with.
While Murasaki's accounts of court rituals are without a doubt extremely interesting (especially her detailed descriptions of the ladies' dresses, though I can see how some people might find that exhausting in the long run), my favourite parts were actually the sudden self-reflecting passages interspersed throughout. Murasaki was obviously weighed down by something from her past that she never specified in her diary, but I imagine she must have been suffering a lot for her to become so melancholy on the most trivial of occasions. For example, shortly after the much-awaited birth of the Crown Prince, elaborate preparations begin for the arrival of the Emperor, part of which were of course flower decorations.
As the day for the imperial visit to the mansion approached, everything was repaired and polished. Rare chrysanthemums were ordered and transplanted. As I gazed out at them through the wraiths of morning mist - some fading to varying hues, others yellow and in their prime, all arranged in various ways - it seemed to me that old age might indeed be conquered. But then for some strange reason - if only my appetites were more mundane, I might find more joy in life, regain a little youth, and face it all with equanimity - seeing and hearing these marvellous, auspicious events only served to strengthen my yearnings. I felt downcast, vexed that nothing was turning out as I had hoped and that my misery simply seemed to increase.
"But why?" I asked myself. "Now surely is the time to forget. It does me no good to fret, and besides, it will only make matters worse."
As day dawned, I looked outside and saw the ducks playing about on the lake as if they had not a care in the world:
Can I remain indifferent to those birds on the water?
I too am floating in a sad uncertain world.
They looked as though they were enjoying life but must suffer greatly, I thought.
What is she trying to forget? What is this misery that is haunting her? Are the cut flowers and the delay of their decay any clues? I really would have liked to find out, to hear her confide what was obviously weighing her down so much.
readingrobin's review against another edition
As a diary, I can't in fairness give this a star rating. Who am I to judge the star worth of someone's experiences and thoughts?
Anyway, I read this book a) because oh my God a diary from 1000 years ago I just have to and b) Murasaki, who wrote the first novel. Though I didn't quite expect the elaborate detail on clothing and rituals, it was interesting to see what great importance these elements had at the time.
While I was hoping for some more personal thoughts, what I got was surprisingly relatable and profound. I mean, a woman talking about how out of place she feels and how she wants to distance herself from despair, yet can't rid herself of it. 1000 years between us and there is that connection in emotions and experience. Incredible.
Anyway, I read this book a) because oh my God a diary from 1000 years ago I just have to and b) Murasaki, who wrote the first novel. Though I didn't quite expect the elaborate detail on clothing and rituals, it was interesting to see what great importance these elements had at the time.
While I was hoping for some more personal thoughts, what I got was surprisingly relatable and profound. I mean, a woman talking about how out of place she feels and how she wants to distance herself from despair, yet can't rid herself of it. 1000 years between us and there is that connection in emotions and experience. Incredible.
blankgarden's review against another edition
4.0
I wrote about this book here: https://theblankgarden.wordpress.com/2015/08/19/can-i-remain-indifferent-to-those-birds-on-the-water/
blankgarden's review against another edition
4.0
I wrote about this book here: https://theblankgarden.wordpress.com/2015/08/19/can-i-remain-indifferent-to-those-birds-on-the-water/
readerbug2's review against another edition
3.0
Murasaki Shikibu, as a woman from tenth century Japan, is not a well-known figure beyond that she created what's known as the world's first novel. That said, her diary, instead of illuminating her, makes her more of an enigma than ever. "Murasaki Shikibu" isn't even her real name but her father's combined with her father's title. Still, what is revealed is an intriguing puzzle of a complex woman.
Muraskai's diary focuses on the other women at court, their dress, and their comings and goings. On the surface, some might think this information is frivolous, but Murasaki is clearly interested in a hierarchy that dictates her standing and her future. She is keenly aware of the fact that she is an older and educated woman and that she is expected to act a certain way, avoid certain behaviors that are deemed too flirtatious, and to avoid wearing too bright clothing, which is seen as more appropriate for younger women. However, when she switches to writing what feels like a letter to a confidante, she reveals a melancholy disposition who is nevertheless loyal to the young Her Majesty and her few friends, whom the editor Bowring insists are JUST friends, even when they compare themselves to mandarin ducks, the symbol of lovers.
The jewel of the book is Murasaki's diary. It's a pity it's so short. The introduction is helpful, but readers should be able to figure out most of what's going on without it. Meanwhile, the Appendices are dry and don't add anything. Overall, an interesting read.
Muraskai's diary focuses on the other women at court, their dress, and their comings and goings. On the surface, some might think this information is frivolous, but Murasaki is clearly interested in a hierarchy that dictates her standing and her future. She is keenly aware of the fact that she is an older and educated woman and that she is expected to act a certain way, avoid certain behaviors that are deemed too flirtatious, and to avoid wearing too bright clothing, which is seen as more appropriate for younger women. However, when she switches to writing what feels like a letter to a confidante, she reveals a melancholy disposition who is nevertheless loyal to the young Her Majesty and her few friends, whom the editor Bowring insists are JUST friends, even when they compare themselves to mandarin ducks, the symbol of lovers.
The jewel of the book is Murasaki's diary. It's a pity it's so short. The introduction is helpful, but readers should be able to figure out most of what's going on without it. Meanwhile, the Appendices are dry and don't add anything. Overall, an interesting read.
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