Sei Shonagon

Sei Shonagon (清少納言 Sei Shōnagon, c. 966–1017 or 1025), formerly known as Kiyohara no Nagiko (清原諾子), was a Japanese author, poet, and a court lady who served the Empress Teishi around the year 1000 during the middle Heian period. She is the author of The Pillow Book.
One of her poem was included as No.62 in Fujiwara no Teika's Hyakunin Isshu.
== Appearance ==
Shonagon is depicted as a not-so-beautiful lady with long red hair that traditionally extended past her hips down to her feet and black eyes, with traditional makeup. She is often seen wearing a traditional kimono similar to a junihitoe.
== Personality ==
Shonagon was absolutely loyal to Empress Teishi. She is said to be sharp, sensitive, intelligent but lacking in beauty - and this may also be one of the reasons why Murasaki Shikibu dislikes her.
== Relationships ==
* Shonagon is also known for her rivalry with Murasaki Shikibu. Murasaki Shikibu wrote about Shonagon – somewhat scathingly, despite acknowledging Shonagon's literary talent – in her diary, The Diary of Lady Murasaki.
* Her father was Kiyohara no Motosuke, the author of the poem No.42 in Hyakunin Isshu.
Category:Characters