The Pillow Book (Makura no soshi) is a book of observations, lists and musings recorded by Sei Shonagon during her time as court lady to the Empress Sadako. The book is believed to have been started in the 990s in Heian, Japan and was completed in the year 1002.
The book is revered in Japan and considered one of the finest pieces of Japanese literature. It is also an interesting historical document – filed with seemingly insignificant notes and observations these are invaluable to the historian trying to piece together a picture of the Japanese court one thousand years ago.

Apart for her employ at the Japanese court, we know nothing about the life of Sei Shonagon. The name, "Shonagon" refers to her position at court (Minor Counselor); "Sei" is the name of her family.
The only surviving description of Sei Shonagon comes from the diary of Murasaki Shikibu—a contemporary and rival at court—that begins: “Sei Shonagon has the most extraordinary air of self-satisfaction…”
Her father was Kiyowara no Motosuke, a scholar and poet. It is speculated that she married Tachibana no Norimitsu though it’s more likely he was merely one of many lovers. They possibly had a son.
What we know of Shonagon’s life comes from The Pillow Book itself. In 990 she became an attendant to the Empress Sadako, the daughter of Fujiwara Michitaka. For five years, Sadako's apartments were the center of the court's cultural activity. However, in 995, Michitaka died, and his position as the power behind the throne was taken by his brother, Michinaga, who had brought his own daughter, Shoshi, to the Emperor's attention. From then on, Sadako's position became increasingly insecure, but Shonagon remained with her until Sadako's death in childbirth at the end of 1000.
After the death of Sadako we have no further information on Shanagon’s life. Some scholars have suggested that The Pillow Book was completed shortly after Sadako’s death and presented as a gift to Sadoko’s daughter. Legend has it she died lonely and impoverished, although it is more likely that rumour was spread by the jealous Murasaki who disapproved not only of Shonagon’s intelligence and writing abilty, but also of her argumentative nature and extreme distain for the poor.

The Pillow Book

The Pillow Book or Makura no soshi, is comprised of 320 separate sections: reminiscences; opinions and imaginative sketches; lists, and observational comments.
The work has always been highly regarded by Japanese readers, and scholars see it as a model of linguistic purity because it uses few Chinese words. Even non Japanese have the work delightful, distinctive and poetic.