The Tale of Genji
English translations: Arthur Waley, trans., The Tale of Genji, Random House, 1935
Edward Seidensticker, trans., The Tale of Genji, Knopf, 1976
http://www.columbia.edu/itc/eacp/asiasite/topics/index.himl?topic=Genji+subtopic=Intro
The Tale of Genji: Scenes from the World’s First Novel (Kodansh International 2001
http://www.inpaku-genji.pref.kyoto.jp/story/01kiritsubo_e/01arasuji_e.htm
In Japan, the Heian Period(794-1185) created
unprecedented high culture and superb literary works.
The Tale of Genji is just like Shakespeare in Elizabethan
England.
This masterpiece of Japanese literature and the oldest full
novel in the world was written by Murasaki Shikibu(Lady
Murasaki) in the early 11th century. The work contains fiftyfour chapters and a number of poems. The story is
concerned with the loves of Prince Genji(Shining Prince)
and the women in his life, including such ladies as Lady
Rokujo, Lady Aoi(his first wife), Lady Murasaki, Yugao.
In the age in which the story takes place it was not the
custom among the upper strata of nobility to practice
monogamy. The last ten chapters deal with the romantic
adventures of Prince Niou, Genji’s grandson and Kaoru, the
son of Third Princess and Genji(in reality Kashiwagi).
Link: http://www.taleofgenji.org/
The work, sensitive to human emotions and the beauties of
nature, represents the best and the most sophisticated court
culture. At the same time, reflecting the Buddhist concepts
of Karma and retribution, it deals with the vanity of this world
and mono no aware, the feelings of pathos that arise from
deep stirring within the heart as one senses the transience of
every event.
The Tale of Genji has been a major influence on traditional
Japanese paintings, literature, poetry, and drama.
Her diary is translated into English: Richard Bowring, trans., The Diary
of Lady Murasaki(Penguine Books, 1996)
Web link: http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/heroine9.html
FUJIWARA MICHINAGA(966 – 1028)
The hero of The Tale of Genji is
supposed to be partially modeled
on Michinaga. Michinaga was the
most powerful of the Fujiwara
regents. The Fujiwara dominated
the Japanese court between 857
and 1160, and reached the
apogee of its rule while Michinaga
was in power.
Michinaga was the son of Kaneie,
the head of the Fujiwara family
and he succeeded t the
leadership of the clan after the
death of his elder brother in 995.
He became the Great Minister of
State in 1017. In early 11th
century the emperor’s authority
was still acknowledged, but the
real seat of the government was
transferred from the Imperial
Palace to Michinaga’s
administration. Michinaga was
father-in-law to four separate
emperors.
Kyoto
From The Paulownia Court: Birth of the Hero
In a certain reign there was a lady not of the first rank, whom
the emperor loved more than any of the others. The grand
ladies with high ambitions thought her a presumptuous
upstart, and lesser ladies were still more resentful.
Everything she did offended someone.
Probably aware of what was happening,
she fell seriously ill and came to spend
more time at home than at court.
It may have been because of a bond
in a former life that she bore the emperor
a beautiful son, a jewel beyond compare.
(Edward Seidensticker, trans., The Tale of Genji):
Summary Link:http://www.taleofgenji.org/summary.html
Genji’s mother suffered the jealousy of rivals at court, became ill and died
when Genji was three.
The months passed and the young prince
returned to the palace. He had grown into a lad of such beauty that
he hardly seemed meant for this world. At the age of seven,
an embassy came from Korea. Hearing that among
the emissaries was a skilled physiognomist, the
emperor would have liked to summon him for
consultation.
Korean cocked his head in astonishment.
"It is the face of one who should ascend to
The highest place and be father
to the nation,“ he said quietly,
as if to himself. "But to take it
for such would no doubt be to
predict trouble. Yet it is not the face
of the minister, the deputy,
who sets about ordering public affairs."
Fujitsubo (Wisteria): a new stepmother
After the death of Genji’s mother, the grief-stricken
Emperor was incapable of dealing with affairs of
state. His ministers arranged for him to take
another woman as his wife – Fujitsubo, the
daughter of a former sovereign and the very image
of Genji’s mother. Young Genji began to transfer
to her the longing that he had felt for his dead
mother.
At age 12, Genji underwent his coming-of-age
ceremony, and on the same day, he was betrothed
to Aoi, daughter of the Minister of the Left. It was
a political marriage.
Rainy Night Discussion
Genji was 17 years old. He spent most of the time in the
court and seldom visited his bride. But with his brother-inlaw, To-no-Chujo, he was on particularly good terms.
One evening when the court was in ritual seclusion in the
long summer rains, Genji was pasing the time chatting about
women with To-no-chujo. As the two talked To Shikibunojo,
a functionary in the Ministry of Rites, happened by and
volunteered love anecdotes of their own. A discussion of the
merits of various types of women ensued. Genji listened to
their stories with great curiosity.
After this rainy night discussion Genji met Utsusemi, the
Governor of Ki’s young stepmother and Yugao, the love of
To-no-Chujo.
From Lavender: Genji found true love
Since Genji lacked backing at court, his father made him a commoner,
assigning him membership of the Genji clan.
18-year-old Genji was suffering from malaria. He took four or five attendants
along to visit a sage in the northern hills. He was a most accomplished
worker of cures. Between the cures and incantations
during the daytime, Genji walked a few blocks in the nearby
villages.
He saw a wattle fence in front of a temple, which was of better workmanship
than similar fences nearby. In the evening Genji took Koremitsu and went to
see the place again. Behind the fence, he could see the nun reading a text
spread out on an armrest. She was in her forties and looked cultivated.
Then a pretty girl of perhaps ten ran in and complained to the nun in a
weeping voice that Inuki had let her baby sparrows loose. That was the first
time Genji saw Lady Murasaki.
Fujitsubo,
my stepmother..
From Akashi (where Genji was exiled)
The emperor died and was succeeded by Sujaku, Genji’s halfbrother. Due to court intrigues, Genji was forced to leave the
capital and live in Suma and Akashi for several years, where he met
Akashi Lady. He was eventually called back to the city.
In the city, on the night of a storm, the emperor Sujaku had a
dream. His father stood at the stairs of the east garden of the
Seiryo chamber and had a great deal to say about Genji. Perhaps
because his eyes had met the angry eyes of his father, he came
down with a very painful eye
ailment (In the graphic,
the old emperor stands
in the gallery.) On the very
same night, Genji also had
a dream about the old
emperor at Suma. He
encouraged Genji and
told him to leave the Suma
shore.
Years of Glory: Rokujo Palace
Genji returned to the capital and settled down with Murasaki and
other ladies at his newly-build grand palace.
He was appointed Grand minister and his influence at court increased.
But nothing lasts in this world.
The Third Princess and Kashiwagi: Genji’s decline
Genji unwillingly married the Third Princess who was just a girl.
Kashiwagi was very disappointed that the Third Princess who had gone to
Genji, and he was still longing after her. In the late spring, there was a
football game in the northeast corner of the Rokujo garden. When a cat
came running, the curtain was pulled back to reveal the woman behind in
informal dress. Her profile framed by beautiful black hair was elegant. It was
the first time for Kashiwagi to see the princess. As she was the wife of
Genji, it was forbidden love.
Kashiwagi called the cat and took it up in his arms.
Mewing prettily, it brought the image of the Third Princess back to him.
After Genji’s marriage to the
Third Princess, heart-broken
Murasaki became seriously ill.
Later Kaoru was born as son
of the Princess and Genji
(in reality Kashiwagi).
Birth of Kaoru
In the Third Month, the
ceremony of the fiftieth day was
taking place. The child was
elegant and charmingly different
from other children. Looking at
the face of child, Genji shed
tears for Kashiwagi, who had not
lived to see his own son.
He wept for the boy who had to
bear the burden of such a secret
in his future. Genji felt sorry for
himself too who held in his
hands a son not his own, at his
old age.
And he wondered if his royal
father had felt this way a long
time ago…
Then, Genji’s beloved Murasaki
passed away…
Last days of Genji
The Tenth Month was
always a time of gloomy
winter showers. Genji felt
more lonesome than
ever. Looking up into the
evening sky helplessly
alone, he envied the wild
geese overhead, which
were returning home. "O
wizard flying off through
boundless heaven, find her
whom I see not even
in my dreams." The
inconsolable days went by,
and his longing for
Murasaki increased.