When I was a kid, I could spend the whole day studying the pictures of an illustrated book, letting them usher me to a world of vivid imagination. Illustrated books are not just for children. As an adult, I’m still enchanted by a well illustrated book. 

I have recently come across The Pillow Book of Sei Shōnagon, published by Folio Society. This features some magnificent watercolour illustrations by Jasper Deane.

Written over 1,000 years ago, this is a rare and fascinating account of life in Japanese imperial court written by a lady-in-waiting to the Empress. As a common custom of the time period, Sei Shōnagon kept her diary in a wooden pillow with a drawer, way before gossip column, blog post and Twitter.

As it is about 10^th-century Heian Japan, I would have thought some topics are quite distant to us and the rest of the world. However, Jasper has brought alive a glimpse of this isolated bubble and brought the readers closer to what the idealized ancient Japanese court life was like. Through extensive research, he has certainly captured some of the finest Japanese mannerisms and lavish costumes in his hypnotic watercolour art.

Also refer to Folio Society and Youtube book review here.

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