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Episode details

Radio 4,22 Oct 2012,15 mins

SeriesSeries 5

Episode 1

The Pillow Book

Available for 56 days

Lady Shonagon and Lieutenant Yukinari reunite for a new mystery in 10th century Japan. Yukinari returns to the palace to find that the Lady Shonagon's affections are no longer his, and furthermore his lover is not pleased to see him. Instead she is focused on unravelling a mystery 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.

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