Summary
Written in the early 11th century by Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji is widely considered the world's first novel. More than 1,000 pages long, this sweeping epic follows the romantic pursuits and political machinations of the charismatic Prince Genji over the course of his life. Through its lyrical prose, interspersed with some 800 waka poems, the novel offers an unparalleled glimpse into the refined culture and customs of court life during Japan's Heian period (794-1185 CE). The Tale of Genji is also remarkable for its psychological insight and subtle depiction of human emotions and relationships.
Plot
The Tale of Genji follows the life of Hikaru Genji, the son of an emperor and a low-ranking concubine. Though born a prince, Genji is removed from the line of succession and given commoner status. As a young man, Genji embarks on a series of romantic affairs with various women at court, including his father's young wife, Lady Fujitsubo. When this illicit relationship produces a son, Genji and Fujitsubo keep the child's true parentage a secret.
Genji's political career flourishes, but his personal life is tumultuous. He kidnaps and raises a young girl named Murasaki to be his ideal woman. After being exiled for a time due to a scandal, Genji returns to the capital and reaches the height of his power and prestige. As enters middle age, however, his romantic pursuits begin to wane. He takes a new wife, but she bears a child fathered by Genji's nephew Kashiwagi.
In his later years, Genji experiences a series of losses, including the death of his beloved Murasaki. He retreats from court life to contemplate the fleeting nature of existence. The story then shifts to focus on Genji's son Kaoru and grandson Niou. These two young men become rivals in love as they pursue the daughters of an imperial prince living in Uji, outside the capital. The tale ends abruptly, with Kaoru wondering if Niou has hidden away the woman he loves.
Themes
The ephemeral nature of love and beauty
The role of fate and karma in human relationships
Power dynamics between men and women in Heian court society
The conflict between duty and personal desire
The artistic and aesthetic ideals of the aristocracy
The transience of worldly glory and success
The Buddhist concepts of attachment and suffering
Setting
Set in Heian-era Japan (794-1185 CE), The Tale of Genji vividly depicts the refined and elegant world of the Japanese aristocracy during the height of the imperial court's power and cultural influence. The story unfolds primarily in and around the capital city of Heian-kyō (modern-day Kyoto), the political and cultural center of Japan at the time. Within this setting, the imperial palace and the mansions of noble families serve as the main backdrops for the tale's events.
Beyond the capital, the narrative occasionally shifts to other locales, such as the coastal provinces of Suma and Akashi, where the protagonist Genji is exiled for a time. These rural settings provide a stark contrast to the refined urban life of the capital, highlighting the cultural divide between the court and the provinces. The natural world plays a significant role throughout the tale, with changing seasons and landscapes serving as both metaphors for characters' emotions and catalysts for plot developments.
The Heian period was characterized by a highly stratified society, elaborate court rituals, and a rich cultural life centered on poetry, music, and aesthetics. The Tale of Genji meticulously recreates this world, offering readers a window into the complex social hierarchies, romantic intrigues, and artistic pursuits that defined life among the Heian nobility. Through its vivid depictions of imperial ceremonies, poetry contests, and intimate personal relationships, the novel paints a comprehensive picture of a sophisticated society at the peak of its cultural flowering.
Characters
Hikaru Genji: The eponymous protagonist. Known for his beauty, artistic talents, and many romantic affairs, Genji, the “shining prince” is the son of an emperor but relegated to the status of a commoner. His life and relationships form the core of the story across most of the novel.
Murasaki: Genji's favorite consort, whom he adopts as a child and later marries. She becomes his most important partner and confidante. Murasaki is known for her beauty and cultured nature, though she struggles with jealousy over Genji's other affairs.
Fujitsubo: Genji's stepmother and secret lover. Their illicit affair produces a son who later becomes emperor. Fujitsubo feels conflicted about her relationship with Genji but is often unable to resist him.
Tō no Chūjō: Genji's best friend and brother-in-law. A foil to Genji in many ways, Tō no Chūjō is also known for his good looks and romantic exploits.
Aoi: Genji's first principal wife. Their marriage is troubled and she dies relatively early in the tale after being possessed by a spirit.
Lady Rokujō: An older lover of Genji whose jealous spirit is believed to possess and kill some of his other lovers. She struggles with her passionate feelings for the younger Genji.
Yūgao: A lower-ranking lover of Genji who dies mysteriously early in their relationship. Her death deeply affects Genji.
Emperor Kiritsubo: Genji's father, who favors him greatly but is forced to remove him from the line of succession for political reasons.
Suzaku: Genji's half-brother who becomes emperor instead of him. He maintains a complex relationship with Genji throughout the tale.
Oborozukiyo: A high-ranking lover of Genji whose affair with him causes a political scandal. Their relationship continues in secret for many years.
Akashi Lady: A provincial governor's daughter who bears Genji a daughter during his exile. She later rises in status due to her connection to Genji.
Kashiwagi: Son of Tō no Chūjō who has an affair with one of Genji's wives, echoing Genji's earlier transgressions.
Quick facts
Written in the early 11th century, The Tale of Genji is widely recognized as the world's first novel.
The author, Murasaki Shikibu, was a noblewoman who served in the Japanese imperial court.
At more than 1,000 pages long, The Tale of Genji is one of the longest novels in classical literature.
The original manuscript no longer exists—the earliest surviving copies are from the 12th century.
Almost none of the characters are given explicit names in the original text.
The Tale of Genji contains more than 800 waka poems, showcasing the importance of poetry in Heian court culture.
The novel inspired its own genre of Japanese art known as Genji-e ("Genji pictures").
In 1987, The Tale of Genji was adapted into an anime film, covering the first 12 chapters of the novel, directed by Gisaburo Sugii.
The Tale of Genji was not translated into modern Japanese until the early 20th century.
The first complete English translation was published in 1976.
A 1000 yen banknote issued by the Bank of Japan features a scene from The Tale of Genji.
About the Author
Murasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist, poet, and lady-in-waiting who lived during the Heian period, from around 973 to 1014 CE. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, widely considered to be the world's first novel. Murasaki was born into a lesser branch of the powerful Fujiwara clan and received an unusually extensive education for a woman of her time, becoming fluent in Chinese. Her given name is unknown, with “Murasaki Shikibu” being a descriptive nickname she received at court.
In her mid-twenties, Murasaki married and had a daughter, but was widowed after only two years. She began writing The Tale of Genji around this time, likely as a way to cope with her grief. In 1005, Murasaki entered service as a lady-in-waiting to Empress Shōshi. At court, she continued working on her lyrical epic while also teaching Chinese to the Empress. Murasaki kept a diary during this period that provides valuable insights into Heian court life and her own experiences as a writer.
As an author, Murasaki revolutionized Japanese literature. The Tale of Genji, written in vernacular Japanese rather than Chinese, spans 54 chapters and is notable for its psychological depth and complex characters. The novel follows the romantic pursuits of the “shining prince” Genji and explores themes of love, loss, and the ephemeral nature of life.
The Tale of Genji remains a cornerstone of Japanese literature, studied and admired both in Japan and abroad. Her work has inspired countless adaptations in various media, from classical paintings to modern manga. In 2008, Kyoto held a year-long celebration commemorating the 1000th anniversary of The Tale of Genji, demonstrating the lasting cultural impact of the author and her masterpiece. Murasaki has become an iconic figure, often depicted in art gazing at the moon for inspiration.
