The Tosa Diary by Ki No Tsurayuki

The Tosa Diary by Ki No Tsurayuki

The Tosa Diary represents the oldest extant Japanese prose fiction and the beginnings of the great tradition of diary literature. Written in 935, the book is the record of an arduous 55-day 200-mile journey by sea from Tosa, where the author had served as a governor, to Kyoto, the capital.  Narrated in the first person by a female persona, it provides modern readers not only with a fascinating look at Japanese life and travel in the tenth century but also an insight into the author's humanity and stylistic excellence. Though the author's other writings were known for their ornateness, this diary is written with an artless simplicity and quiet humor which is as welcome as it is unexpected from a nobleman of the period. His sufferings from seasickness, his grief for the loss of a minor, his pride when his little daughter composes a verse in reply to that of a visitor whom he evidently dislike, his  own verses that he cannot resist quoting, and his way of deprecating the verses of others, as well as many other details, supply a very human touch.  This engaging translation includes an introduction and notes by the translator as well as the original Japanese in Romanisation.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780804836951
ISBN 10	0804836957
Title	The Tosa Diary
Author	Ki No Tsurayuki
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Tuttle Publishing
Year published	2005-10-15
Number of pages	128
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable