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Episode details

Radio 4,24 Oct 2012,15 mins

SeriesSeries 5

Episode 3

The Pillow Book

Available for 56 days

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.

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