 Written text from the earliest illustrated handscroll (12th century) | |
| Author | Murasaki Shikibu |
|---|---|
| Original title | Genji Monogatari (源氏物語) |
| Translator | Suematsu Kenchō, Arthur Waley, Edward G. Seidensticker, Helen McCullough, Royall Tyler, Dennis Washburn |
| Language | Early Middle Japanese |
| Genre | Monogatari |
| Published | Before 1021 |
| Publication place | Japan |
| Media type | manuscript |
| 895.63 M93 | |
The Tale of Genji (源氏物語, Genji monogatari, pronounced [ɡeɲdʑi monoɡaꜜtaɾi]), also known as Genji Monogatari, is a classic work of Japanese literature written by the noblewoman, poet, and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu around the peak of the Heian period, in the early 11th century. The original manuscript no longer exists. It was made in "concertina" or orihon style: several sheets of paper pasted together and folded alternately in one direction then the other.[1]
The work is a unique depiction of the lifestyles of high courtiers during the Heian period. It is written in archaic language and a poetic style that requires specialized study.[2] In the early 20th century Genji was translated into modern Japanese by the poet Akiko Yosano. The first English translation of Genji was made in 1882 by Suematsu Kencho, but was of poor quality and left incomplete. Since then, complete English translations have been made by Arthur Waley, Edward Seidensticker, Royall Tyler, and Dennis Washburn.
The work recounts the life of Hikaru Genji, or "Shining Genji". Genji is the son of the emperor (known to readers as Emperor Kiritsubo) and a low-ranking concubine called Kiritsubo Consort, but for political reasons the emperor removes Genji from the line of succession, demoting him to commoner status by giving him the surname Minamoto. Genji then pursues a career as an imperial officer. The tale concentrates on Genji's romantic life and describes the customs of the aristocratic society of the time. It is one of history's first novels, the first by a woman to have won global recognition, and in Japan today has a stature like that of Shakespeare in England.[3]
- ^ Lyons, Martyn (2011). Books: A Living History. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum. p. 30.
- ^ Guide to the Collection. Birmingham, AL: Birmingham Museum of Art. 2010. p. 49. ISBN 978-1-904832-77-5.
- ^ Arntzen (2005), p. 25.