The Confessions of Lady Nijō by Lady NijōMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is probably better quality than most other diaries or memoirs of Heian Japan, although it does read more like a novel written in later years made to sound like a diary (which it apparently is).
I must confess, while at the outset I felt bad for the lack of control she had over her life, and gave allowances due to her age, I couldn't really sympathize with her. She doesn't seem to care for her kids, whom she has to give away and doesn't seem to give much thought to (even stating so herself at one point). In fact, after she is kicked out of the emperor's entourage, she doesn't seem to want to reconnect with any of her children. I may be missing some of the restrictions/customs of the time, but it still seems a tad harsh not even to mention your own kids after a while.
After the 9-year-jump she seems to be more grounded, although still very materialistic (especially for a nun).
Still, some very interesting information, and I really did find it interesting following her travels in her later years.
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