The Tale of Genji
A Heian-era tale of courtly life and love.
The Tale of Genji (源氏物語, Genji Monogatari) is a classic work of Japanese literature said to have been written by the noblewoman, poet, and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu around the peak of the Heian period, in the early 11th century. It is the first novel written by a woman to have won global recognition. In Japan, The Tale of Genji has a stature similar to that of Shakespeare in the UK.
- field
- Literature
- nationality
- Japanese
- known_for
- Writing The Tale of Genji, often considered the world's first novel
- period
- Heian period, early 11th century
Lore & Background
The Tale of Genji is a depiction of the lifestyles of high courtiers during the Heian period. It is written mostly in Japanese phonetic script (hiragana), in a vernacular style associated with women's writing of the time, not in Chinese characters (kanji) used for more prestigious literature. The original manuscript no longer exists, but there are more than 300 later manuscript copies of varying reliability. It was made in 'concertina' or orihon style: several sheets of paper pasted together and folded alternately in one direction then the other. The first section, chapters 1-33, center on the early life and amorous encounters of Hikaru Genji, or 'Shining Genji'. Genji is the son of the emperor and a low-ranking concubine. For political reasons, the emperor removes Genji from the line of succession, demoting him to commoner status. The second section, chapters 34-41, tell of his old age and death, while the final section, chapters 42-54, shift to Genji's grandson, Niou, and supposed son, Kaoru. Almost none of the characters in the original text are given an explicit name; they are referred to by function or role, an honorific, or relation to other characters, stemming from Heian-era court manners.
Reader's Guide
The Tale of Genji holds a central place in Japanese culture, comparable to Shakespeare in the UK. It is the first novel written by a woman to achieve global recognition. The work's significance extends beyond its literary merit; it provides a detailed depiction of Heian court life and its complex social hierarchies. The authorship debate—whether Murasaki Shikibu wrote all or part of the tale—remains unresolved, with some scholars attributing later chapters to her daughter, Daini no Sanmi, or other hands. The novel's influence is seen in its numerous translations into modern Japanese and English, including those by Akiko Yosano, Suematsu Kencho, Arthur Waley, Edward Seidensticker, Royall Tyler, and Dennis Washburn. Its archaic language and poetic style require specialized study, and its lack of named characters presents unique challenges for readers and translators. The work's internal consistency, with characters aging in step and relationships maintained across four hundred characters, demonstrates sophisticated narrative construction.
Did You Know?
- The original manuscript of The Tale of Genji no longer exists; over 300 later manuscript copies survive.
- The work was written mostly in hiragana, the phonetic script associated with women's writing, rather than Chinese characters.
- Murasaki Shikibu is believed to have formed the character of Genji partly through her experience of Fujiwara no Michinaga.
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