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The Pillow Book

Series 5

Episode 3

Duration: 15 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 FMLatest broadcast: on BBC Radio 4 LW

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's to be his wife, only to discover his lover is already married. And the Lady 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 and tempestuous 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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