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meganbmooreThis is the third of the Heian diaries that I've read.
Known as "Mother of Michitsuna," the author of Kagero Nikki is not as fluid or even a writer as Murasaki or Shonagon (though I suspect that's because she combines various styles, and the styles themselves don't really show in translation), but she's a much more passionate writer.
Kagero Nikki largely centers around the authors perceptions of her troubled marriage and her devotion to her son (and, later, her adopted daughter, the offspring of her husband and one of his lovers). While the other two diaries I've read focused on courtlife, Kagero Nikki is considerably more domestic, and focused on the home, family, and marriage. It also delves far more deeply into gender roles and the frustrations they caused, as well as relations between the genders. There's also travel. The author frequently talks about wanting to become a nun, but never does out of concern for how it would affect her son. As a result of that desire, though, she frequently goes on pilgrimages, treating the reader to detailed explanations of just what goes into that.
It's much more raw and personal than Shonagon and Murasaki's diaries, being closer in tone and content to what we'd consider a personal diary today. Though sarcastic, the author isn't quite as entertaining as the other two, but is just as worthy of checking out.
Known as "Mother of Michitsuna," the author of Kagero Nikki is not as fluid or even a writer as Murasaki or Shonagon (though I suspect that's because she combines various styles, and the styles themselves don't really show in translation), but she's a much more passionate writer.
Kagero Nikki largely centers around the authors perceptions of her troubled marriage and her devotion to her son (and, later, her adopted daughter, the offspring of her husband and one of his lovers). While the other two diaries I've read focused on courtlife, Kagero Nikki is considerably more domestic, and focused on the home, family, and marriage. It also delves far more deeply into gender roles and the frustrations they caused, as well as relations between the genders. There's also travel. The author frequently talks about wanting to become a nun, but never does out of concern for how it would affect her son. As a result of that desire, though, she frequently goes on pilgrimages, treating the reader to detailed explanations of just what goes into that.
It's much more raw and personal than Shonagon and Murasaki's diaries, being closer in tone and content to what we'd consider a personal diary today. Though sarcastic, the author isn't quite as entertaining as the other two, but is just as worthy of checking out.