The Pillow Book

Original version

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Drama: Classic & Period

Drama: Historical

Robert Forrest's popular thriller set in 10th-century Japan.

Robert Forrest's thriller, inspired by the writings of Sei Shonagon, a poet and lady-in-waiting to the Empress of the 10th-century Japanese court.

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 Extra

The Pillow Book: The Pillow Book

Drama

BBC Radio 4 Extra - The Pillow Book, The Pillow Book

4 Extra Debut. Lady Shonagon is banished from the palace and separated from her policeman and sent back to her brother. Stars Ruth Gemmell.

The final ever mystery for Lady Shonagon and her Lieutenant Yukinari. 

The Pillow Book is a popular long-running thriller series set in 10th century Japan about an unlikely and compelling duo. 

Written by Robert Forrest, it captures a strange, magical world - simultaneously utterly remote and wonderfully familiar to our own - and it tells a cracking mystery at the same time.

With the Empress Teishi dead, Lady Shonagon has been banished from the Imperial Palace and separated from her policeman. Under Imperial guard, she is sent back to her only remaining relative, her brother Takai. 

But there has been no love lost between Shonagon and her brother since they were children, and Shonagon must set out once more on her own in search of her friend Saisho. 

Meanwhile, the villain Ikiryo walks abroad, and no one is safe.

Shonagon ...... Ruth Gemmell
Yukinari ...... Cal MacAninch
Takai/Ikiryo ...... Simon Donaldson
Saisho ...... Victoria Liddelle
Amaterasu ...... Joanna Tope
Uke ...... Meg Fraser
Landlord/Policeman ...... Antony Strachan

Director:  Lu Kemp  

A BBC Scotland production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in August 2018.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Pillow Book

The Pillow Book

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4