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The Tale of Genji

The Tale of Genji - Chapter 9
Kunisada Utagawa 1786-1865
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Genji Monogatari is considered an important and possibly first psychological novel in early Japanese and even all of literature. The story of the prince Genji was written by Muraskaki Shikibu, the court lady of the Empress Jotomon'in in the the beginning of the 11th century. The work is a culturally historical and important document of language and life in the court in medieval Japan. Scenes from the work continue to provide entry into the artistic discussion, especially as a theme in the traditional Japanese art of woodblock prints.

Highly Educated Author

Knowledge about the author of the novel, Murasaki Shikibu, is sparse at best. It was also not possible in Japan at that time for a woman to play an important role in literature. But because she could participate in her brother's lessons (which were taught by their father), Shikibu received an exceptional education in the Chinese language, script and literature. She also belonged to the noble Fujiwara family, which had been traditionally active in literature for many generations.

There is disgreement among experts regarding the name of the author as well the dates of events from her life. She was supposed to have lived between 973 and 1016. In any case, Shikibu was born in Heian-Kyo, today Kyoto and one of two capitals of emperial Japan. When her father became the administrator of the Echizen Province in 996, she received the chance to travel throughout the region, an extraordinary opportunity for a young woman at that time. After her return, Shikibu married Fujiwara Nobutaka in 998, a 20 years older cousin of hers, and gave birth to a daughter in 999.

In Emperial Service

Lady Murasaki
Chikanobu Toyohara 1838-1912
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After the death of her husband in 1001, Murasaki Shikibu began working on the Tale of Genji Monogatari. It took many years to write and develop the work, especially since she had very little free time while in service to the Empress Jotomon'in (also known as Fujiwara no Shoshi). Thanks to her extraordinary intelligence and education, Shikibu became teacher to the Empress and received her closest trust and honor. She recorded her experiences in the court in her diary, which are also incorporated into her Genji Monogatari novel, which she probably worked on until her death.

The Tale of Genji

The novel has 54 chapters and tells the story of the Prince Genji, a favorite but not the eldest son of an aging Tenno. He preoccupied himself with beautiful art and used his high position to satisfy his lust for women. When Tenno abdicated, however, the son Genji lost a concubine and his privileges in an argument with the new Emperor and his mother and he goes voluntarily into exile. He later returns to the court but without his beloved, with whom he in the meantime had a child.

Back in his high position, Genji continues to pursue his excessive lusts. Murasaki, his young niece of one of his previous court ladies becomes his new beloved - but nonetheless one of many. When sie dies, Genji appears to lose the will to live. The last chapters take place after the death of Genji and tell the story of two princes who are descendents of Genji but does not finish. Experts are still uncertain today as to why the story ends so abruptly.

Language and Narrative Style

Princess Wakamurasaki - The Tale of Genji
by Shizuo Nishizawa 1912-1997
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It is not easy for the average Japanese today to read the Tale of Genji because of the complex grammar and forms of address that appear in the work. Back then, it was rude to call people by name and unbecoming to name speficic things. Because the novel addtionally is full of hints, symbols and metaphors, modern readers today require the aid of extensive scholarly notes to read and advance the story. Furthermore, characters often spoke in the old tradition in verse often quoting famous lines of poetry but not finishing them because the reader was expected to know the last lines. Today, versions of the tale of Genji are printed in modern Japanese and the characters have names.

Genji Monogatari in Other Media

The medieval novel with its ornate style has prompted several adaptations to date. Kozaburo Yoshimura adapted it into a film in 1951 and Kon Ichikawa remade it in 1966. The story also appeared as Manga by Ymato Waki in 1980 under the title Asakiyumemishi. In 2005, a videogame version of Genji became available for the Playstation 2.

The Tale of Genji and Woodblock Prints

Azumaya - Genji 54 Chapters
Kunisada II Utagawa 1823-1880
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The scenes from the Tale of Genji inspire above all visual representation in art, largely in illustrations of scenes from the story. The traditional role of woodblock prints played an important role that is closely intertwined with letterprinting. How far back the Genji Illustrations reach back is unclear. Certain works by Tosa Mitsuoki (1617-1691) however are already well known. And later followed Kunisada Utagawa (1786-1864) and Kunsiada II Utagawa (1823-1880) as well as Gekko Ogata (1859-1920) with extensive picture series. More recently Masao Ebihara preoccupied himself in the middle of the 20th century with scenes from Genji Monogatari and reintroduced the medieval work to the modern.

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Japanese Literature