Description
Set in the Heian court of Emperor Ichijo, this prize-winning historical fiction reimagines a celebrated imperial romance through a sharply focused lens on the emperor’s first consort, Teishi, and the rivalries that threaten to fracture love into politics. Framed as a meticulously crafted fictitious historical document, the narrative unfolds with the intimacy of courtly life while revealing how power struggles—especially those surrounding Fujiwara influence—can distort devotion and destiny. With Enchi’s distinctive blend of modern and classical Japanese, interwoven commentary, and carefully placed excerpts from the earlier tale, the book invites readers to question what “history” remembers and what it quietly rewrites. At its heart, it explores loyalty, moral agency, and the fragile boundary between personal feeling and public control, offering a compelling counter-narrative that honors Teishi’s dignity and resolve.
Available Editions
paperback
University of Hawaii Press
Published Jan 1, 2000
160 pages
ISBN: 9780824861292
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Details
First Published
2000
Language
jpn
Translation
From: jpn
Content Warnings
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