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Lesson Title: The Tale of Genji and Heian Japan
Course: Humanities – Classical Japan
Grade: 7
Author: Rebecca Gómez
Tennessee State Social Studies Standard:
7.30 – Describe how the Heian (contemporary Kyoto) aristocracy created enduring Japanese
cultural perspectives that are epitomized in works of prose such as The Tale of Genji, one
of the world’s first novels.
Suggested Time Allowance: 4 or 5 45-minute periods
Objectives: Students will…
 be familiar with the major characteristics of the Heian period in Japan
 understand the role of women in the development of development of Japanese language and
literature during the Heian period
 understand and recognize the concepts of mono no aware in The Tale of Genji
Materials:
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projector
computer
posterboard/cardboard/butcher paper
paint/markers
various fabrics, robes, clothes, etc. for costumes
Procedure:
Day 1:
1. As students enter the classroom, display the Genji Monogatari Emaki image of the Yugao
chapter (http://www.dartmouth.edu/~arth17/Yugao.image.html). Ask for students’ observations
and predictions.
2. Very briefly explain the significance of The Tale of Genji and the scrolls. Tell students that they
are going to be working with this particular chapter for the next few days.
3. Play the background video from NHK World, the Japanese public broadcasting network. It can
be found in two parts at the following YouTube links:
 “BEGIN Japanology Season 1 - EP14: The Tale of Genji part 1”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHteT5_3Xzc
*If YouTube is blocked, download videos beforehand by using www.keepvid.com
4. Students should fill in the handout in Appendix A as they watch the video.
5. Discuss handout together (Appendix B) to be sure that all students have the correct answers.
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6. Pass out the “Evening Glory” (Yugao) chapter from Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji.
Students may begin to read during the remaining class time, and complete the reading for
homework.
 Acknowledging its limitations, the Suyematsu translation has been selected for this lesson
plan due to its accessibility for younger students and glossing over of some of the
amorous encounters. Other translations may be substituted.
 http://www.yorku.ca/inpar/genji_kenchio.pdf
Day 2:
1. Invite students to ask any comprehension questions they may have about the “Evening Faces”
readings.
2. Divide students into 3 groups. Each group will be responsible for a section of the chapter.
 Pg. 64-72
 Pg. 73-80 (until “…his own long-lost Tokonatz (Pinks).”
 P.80-88 (beginning with “In the evening came Koremitz…”)
3. Hand out the presentation guidelines located in Appendix C. Tell students that they will be
working together to prepare a dramatic presentation of their section of the reading. Each group
will write a script, prepare scenery and put together costumes to present to the class.
4. Give students time to work on their presentations.
Day 3 (and 4 if necessary):
1. Give students time to work on their presentations.
Day 4 (or 5 if necessary):
1. Students perform their dramatic presentations.
2. Conduct a wrap-up discussion of the presentations, the readings, and the enduring Japanese
cultural perspectives addressed.
3. For homework, students should complete a journal entry reflecting on what they learned from the
experience.
Evaluation: Students will be evaluated on their participation in class discussion, completion of the
video handout and adherence to guidelines in the dramatic presentation (Appendix C).
Resources:

Education About Asia Volume 10:3 (Winter 2005): Special Section on Asia in World History:
300-1500 CE
o “Teaching About Heian Japan” – Melinda Varner
 https://www.asian-studies.org/EAA/EAA-Archives/10/3/639.pdf
o “The Heart of History: The Tale of Genji” – Sonia Arntzen
 https://www.asian-studies.org/EAA/EAA-Archives/10/3/640.pdf
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Appendix A
Video Notes: “Begin Japanology: The Tale of Genji”
Fill in the blanks with information from the video.
1. The author of Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji) was a __________ named Murasaki Shikibu.
2. The Tale of Genji has ______ chapters and over ______ pages.
3. The book is set in the ______________________________________, depicting love affairs and
power struggles between members of the aristocracy.
4. The influence of The Tale of Genji could be compared to __________________________________.
5. At the end of the 8th century, Japan’s imperial court moved to Heian-kyō, or modern-day ________.
6. During the Heian period, which lasted about 400 years, the _____________________ ruled the
country.
7. The “Golden Age” of the Heian period was a time of unprecedented _________.
8. Considered essential in this society of refinement and culture, some aristocratic activities included
___________________, ________________________ and ________________________________.
9. Sei Shonagon wrote a volume of essays called ________________________.
10. Murasaki Shikibu served as a ________________________ for a daughter of the powerful nobleman
Fujiwara no Michinaga, allowing her to closely observe life at court.
11. During the Heian period, Japan began to break away from the influence of ___________________.
12. The central character of the epic novel is Hikaru Genji is the son of the __________________.
13. Genji, though to be the ideal man, is often referred to as “__________________________.”
14. The highest possible honor for an aristocrat was _________________________________________
15. Noble men and women communicated through ______________________, rather than face-to-face.
16. Setouchi Jakucho proposes that Murasaki Shikibu was not actually writing about Genji, but about
____________________________________.
17. Mono no aware, a Japanese term that is very difficult to translate, means approximately
“______________________________________.”
18. Whenever beauty is felt in the novel, one can also feel ________________and _________________.
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Appendix B
Video Notes: “Begin Japanology: The Tale of Genji” (ANSWER KEY)
Fill in the blanks with information from the video.
19. The author of Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji) was a woman named Murasaki Shikibu.
20. The Tale of Genji has 54 chapters and over 1000 pages.
21. The book is set in the Japanese imperial court, depicting love affairs and power struggles between
members of the aristocracy.
22. The influence of The Tale of Genji could be compared to the works of William Shakespeare or
classical Greek dramas.
23. At the end of the 8th century, Japan’s imperial court moved to Heian-kyō, or modern-day Kyoto
24. During the Heian period, which lasted about 400 years, the aristocracy ruled the country.
25. The “Golden Age” of the Heian period was a time of unprecedented peace.
26. Considered essential in this society of refinement and culture, some aristocratic activities included
reading, composing poetry, playing musical instruments.
27. Sei Shonagon wrote a volume of essays called The Pillow Book.
28. Murasaki Shikibu served as a lady-in-waiting for a daughter of the powerful nobleman Fujiwara no
Michinaga, allowing her to closely observe life at court.
29. During the Heian period, Japan began to break away from the influence of Chinese culture.
30. The central character of the epic novel is Hikaru Genji is the son of the emperor.
31. Genji, though to be the ideal man, is often referred to as “the Shining One.”
32. The highest possible honor for an aristocrat was getting married to the daughter of the emperor.
33. Noble men and women communicated through love letters, rather than face-to-face.
34. Setouchi Jakucho proposes that Murasaki Shikibu was not actually writing about Genji, but about
the women with whom he comes into contact.
35. Mono no aware, a Japanese term that is very difficult to translate, means approximately “the pathos
or the pity of things.”
36. Whenever beauty is felt in the novel, one can also feel sadness and impermanence.
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Appendix C
The Tale of Genji: Dramatic Presentation Guidelines
You are going to work together as a group to present a section of the “Evening Glory”
chapter of The Tale of Genji. You will need to write a script, prepare scenery and put
together costumes in order to give a dramatic presentation to the class. You should focus
the key interactions of your selection, paying special attention to moments that display
aristocratic perspectives, customs and “mono no aware.” After all groups have shared you
will complete a journal entry reflecting on your experience and ways that you saw these
concepts in the presentations. Use the following checklist to prepare.
________________________________________________________________________
The Tale of Genji Dramatic Presentation
Chapter 4: “Evening Glory”
Page numbers of selection: ____________
 Included in script:
 clear understanding of plot and character in selection
 aristocratic attitudes
 aristocratic customs
 Mono no aware
 Elements of dramatic production:
 costume pieces indicating characters’ gender, social status and historical
setting
 backdrops (can be on posterboard, cardboard, butcher paper, etc.) that
represent specific settings within the selection
 Collaborative work:
 all group members listen and engage respectfully in the writing of the script
 all group members play a role in the presentation
 all group members pay a role in the preparation of the elements of dramatic
production
 Reflection (after presentations):
 What did you learn about Heian Japan from this experience with The Tale of
Genji?
 How did working on the dramatic presentation aid in your understanding of
The Tale of Genji?