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The Pillow Book

Series 5

Episode 2

Duration: 15 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LWLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FM

Available for years

Lady Shonagon and Lieutenant Yukinari reunite for a new mystery in 10th century Japan.

Yukinari has returned to the palace to ask the Lady Shonagon to be his wife, only to discover that his lover is already married. Furthermore, Shonagon is obsessed by a new mystery, one that Yukinari cannot understand: the mystery of her friend's marriage - a passionate affair between a woman of royal blood and a young low-born poet that seems to be moving towards an increasingly dark place.

Meanwhile, the entire palace is captivated by the Emperor's new pet - a tiger sent all the way from India.

Inspired by the writings of Sei Shonagon, a poet and lady-in-waiting to the Empress of the 10th Century Japanese court.

Written by Robert Forrest.

Directed by Lu Kemp. Show less

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