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A Woman Samurai in the Era of Genji

There were a number of women warriors in the 12th century, most of which appear in the Yamabuki series.

20 June 2015 · Katherine M. Lawrence
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Yamabuki’s poem at the Barrier Strait

The Tale of Genji was written in the late 900s C.E. by a woman known to history by the name Murasaki. The work is considered by many to be the earliest novel ever written. The author was believed to have been a lady in the emperor’s court and her observations are said to be a thinly disguised fictionalization of the people she knew. Most people who are familiar with Japanese literature will say the work is one of the greatest, if not the greatest, work in Japanese literature....

28 November 2014 · Katherine M. Lawrence
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H is for History

In 1961, author Irving Stone wrote a fictionalized biography of Michelangelo called The Agony and the Ecstasy. He was making the circuit to promote his book. He appeared on an afternoon talk show where he described his research into the life of Michelangelo. His aim, he said, was to be as historically accurate as possible and he wanted the setting to be correct. He said: I want to know the color of the bedspread in Michelangelo’s bedroom....

9 April 2014 · Katherine M. Lawrence