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Product Description: This is the second book in an extensive one-year introductory course in Japanese, also suitable for those who wish to work at a slower pace. Students who finish this course will have a firm grasp of how the language works and enough knowledge of the writing system to tackle everyday written material with no more than a dictionary...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

Describes the historical background of this eleventh century, Japanese novel, discusses its cultural setting, and examines the themes of the story (view table of contents)

Product Description: The Diary recorded by Lady Murasaki (c. 973-c. 1020), author of The Tale of Genji, is an intimate picture of her life as tutor and companion to the young Empress Shoshi. Told in a series of vignettes, it offers revealing glimpses of the Japanese imperial palace - the auspicious birth of a prince, rivalries between the Emperor's consorts, with sharp criticism of Murasaki's fellow ladies-in-waiting and drunken courtiers, and telling remarks about the timid Empress and her powerful father, Michinaga...read more

Japanese author Lady Murasaki records her life as tutor to the Japanese empress, whose service she entered in 1006, offering inside glimpses of the Japanese imperial palace. (view table of contents)

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