The tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu

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The tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu

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By Ronald Gonzalez Posted on Dec 25, 2025

In Category - Leadership

Authors: Murasaki Shikibu, 978?- Published By : Murasaki Shikibu, 978?-

Book Language: English

Imagine a story written a thousand years ago that still feels fresh today. That's 'The Tale of Genji.' Forget dusty history—this is a soap opera set in ancient Japan, following the life of the 'Shining Prince,' Genji. He's handsome, talented, and incredibly charming, but his endless search for love and meaning leads him down messy, complicated paths. The book isn't about battles or politics; it's about the quiet, intense drama of human hearts. It shows us jealousy, longing, regret, and fleeting beauty in a way that feels surprisingly modern. If you've ever wondered what people worried about a millennium ago, you'll find they were a lot like us.

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that the whole fifty-four were not finished till long afterwards. But from the _Sarashina Diary_, the first of the three contained in the _Court Ladies of Old Japan_, we know that the _Tale of Genji_ in its complete form was already a classic in the year 1022. The unknown authoress of this diary spent her childhood in a remote province. Her great pleasure was to read romances; but except at the Capital they were hard to come by. She prays fervently to Buddha to bring her quickly to Kyoto, and let her read ‘dozens and dozens of stories.’ In 1022 she at last arrives at Court and her wildest dreams are fulfilled. Packed in a big box her aunt sends round ‘the fifty-odd chapters of _Genji_’ and a whole library of shorter fairy-tales and romances. ‘Are there really such people as this in the world? Were Genji my lover, though he should come to me but once in the whole year, how happy I should be! Or were I Lady Ukifune in her mountain home, gazing as the months go by at flowers, red autumn leaves, moonlight and snow; happy, despite loneliness and misfortune, in the thought that at any moment the wonderful letter might come....’ Such were the _rêveries_ of one who read the _Tale of Genji_ more than nine hundred years ago. I think that, could they but read it in the original, few readers would feel that in all those centuries the charm of the book had in any way evaporated. The task of translation in such a case is bound to be arduous and discouraging; but I have all the time been spurred by the belief that I am translating by far the greatest novel of the East, and one which, even if compared with the fiction of Europe, takes its place as one of the dozen greatest masterpieces of the world. CONTENTS PAGE PREFACE 7 LIST OF MOST IMPORTANT PERSONS 11 GENEALOGICAL TABLES 13 CHAPTER I. KIRITSUBO 17 II. THE BROOM-TREE 39 III. UTSUSEMI 81 IV. YŪGAO 92 V. MURASAKI 135 VI. THE SAFFRON-FLOWER 180 VII. THE FESTIVAL OF RED LEAVES 211 VIII. THE FLOWER FEAST 239 IX. AOI 250 APPENDICES 297 LIST OF MOST IMPORTANT PERSONS (ALPHABETICAL) Aoi, Princess Genji’s wife. Asagao, Princess Daughter of Prince Momozono. Courted in vain by Genji from his 17th year onward. Emperor, The Genji’s father. Fujitsubo The Emperor’s consort. Loved by Genji. Sister of Prince Hyōbukyō; aunt of Murasaki. Genji, Prince Son of the Emperor and his concubine Kiritsubo. Hyōbukyō, Prince Brother of Fujitsubo; father of Murasaki. Iyo no Suke Husband of Utsusemi. Ki no Kami Son of Iyo no Kami, also called Iyo no Suke. Kiritsubo Concubine of the Emperor; Genji’s mother. Kōkiden The Emperor’s original consort; later supplanted by Kiritsubo and Fujitsubo successively. Koremitsu Genji’s retainer. Left, Minister of the Father of Aoi. Momozono, Prince Father of Princess Asagao. Murasaki Child of Prince Hyōbukyō. Adopted by Genji. Becomes his second wife. Myōbu A young Court lady who introduces Genji to Princess Suyetsumuhana. Nokiba no Ogi Ki no Kami’s sister. Oborozukiyo, Princess Sister of Kōkiden. Ōmyōbu Fujitsubo’s maid. Right, Minister of the Father of Kōkiden. Rokujō, Princess Widow of the Emperor’s brother, Prince Zembō. Genji’s mistress from his 17th year onward. Shōnagon Murasaki’s nurse. Suyetsumuhana, Princess Daughter of Prince Hitachi. A timid and eccentric lady. Tō no Chūjō Genji’s brother-in-law and great friend. Ukon Yūgao’s maid. Utsusemi Wife of the provincial governor, Iyo no Suke. Courted by Genji. Yūgao Mistress first of Tō no Chūjō then of Genji. Dies bewitched. GENEALOGICAL TABLES ┌ Prince Zembō, _m_. Lady...

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Let's be honest: a book from the 11th century sounds intimidating. But 'The Tale of Genji' is one of those rare classics that pulls you into its world completely. Written by a lady-in-waiting named Murasaki Shikibu, it’s often called the world's first novel.

The Story

The story follows Genji, the son of an emperor, from his dazzling youth to his reflective later years. Because of his mother's lower status, he's removed from the direct line of succession but given a new surname. The plot isn't driven by a single villain or quest. Instead, it's a deep look at his life—his many romantic relationships, his rise and fall in the court, his friendships, and his regrets. We see the world through his eyes and the eyes of the women in his life, getting a full picture of the glittering yet restrictive Heian-era court.

Why You Should Read It

What amazed me was how human everyone feels. Genji isn't a perfect hero; he's flawed, selfish, and often makes a mess of things. Murasaki Shikibu writes with incredible psychological insight. She captures the ache of unrequited love, the bitterness of rivalry, and the quiet sadness of aging with a clarity that transcends time. The book is also a beautiful meditation on 'mono no aware'—the gentle sadness of life's impermanence. The poetry, the changing seasons, the fading of beauty—it all adds a profound layer to the personal drama.

Final Verdict

This is a book for the patient reader who loves character studies and rich atmosphere. It's perfect for anyone interested in the roots of storytelling, fans of historical fiction, or readers who enjoy complex, morally ambiguous characters like those in modern literary fiction. Don't rush it. Savor it. It's a slow, beautiful journey into another time that somehow mirrors our own.

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