The name of the author of the Sarashina Diary is unknown, but she was the daughter of Fujiwara no Takasue, and was born around 1009AD. Izumi Shikibu was born around 976AD, served at the court of the Empress Akiko and married Fujiwara no Yasimasu. Murasaki Shikibu, born around 973AD, was the daughter of Fujiwara Tametoki and the wife and then widow of Fujiwara no Nobutaka. A lady-in-waiting to Empress Akiko, she was also the author of the great epic Tale of Genji, considered by many to be the first modern novel. Translated by Annie Shepley Omore and Koichi Doi.