The Pillow Book, written by Sei Shōnagon in Japan’s Heian period (c. 1001), is a classic collection of essays. This revised edition was published by Guangxi Normal University Press in 2021, featuring a refined binding with a lightweight dust jacket and gold foil stamping.

I illustrated the cover for this edition using light, restrained vector lines. Through elements such as rain, swallows, and umbrellas, I sought to bring a sense of poetry and softness to the image. When rendered in gold foil, the illustration takes on a subtle tactile quality.

Author: Sei Shōnagon
Translator: Chen Dewen
Publisher: Guangxi Normal University Press
Imprint: Shanghai Beibei
Year: 2021