Tale of Genji (Tuttle Classics)

Paperback, 222 pages

English language

Published Nov. 30, 2006 by Tuttle Publishing.

ISBN:: 978-0-8048-3823-8
OCLC Number:: 71239206

(6 reviews)

The most famous work of Japanese literature and the world's first novel—written a thousand years ago and one of the enduring classics of world literature.

Written centuries before the time of Shakespeare and even Chaucer, The Tale of Genji marks the birth of the novel—and after more than a millennium, this seminal work continues to enchant readers throughout the world. Lady Murasaki Shikibu and her tale's hero, Prince Genji, have had an unmatched influence on Japanese culture. Prince Genji manifests what was to become an image of the ideal Heian era courtier; gentle and passionate. Genji is also a master poet, dancer, musician and painter. The Tale of Genji follows Prince Genji through his many loves, and varied passions. This book has influenced not only generations of courtiers and samurai of the distant past, but artists and painters even in modern times—episodes in the tale have been incorporated into the …

The most famous work of Japanese literature and the world's first novel—written a thousand years ago and one of the enduring classics of world literature.

Written centuries before the time of Shakespeare and even Chaucer, The Tale of Genji marks the birth of the novel—and after more than a millennium, this seminal work continues to enchant readers throughout the world. Lady Murasaki Shikibu and her tale's hero, Prince Genji, have had an unmatched influence on Japanese culture. Prince Genji manifests what was to become an image of the ideal Heian era courtier; gentle and passionate. Genji is also a master poet, dancer, musician and painter. The Tale of Genji follows Prince Genji through his many loves, and varied passions. This book has influenced not only generations of courtiers and samurai of the distant past, but artists and painters even in modern times—episodes in the tale have been incorporated into the design of kimonos and handicrafts, and the four-line poems called waka which dance throughout this work have earned it a place as a classic text in the study of poetry.

This version by Kencho Suematsu was the first-ever translation in English. Condensed, it's a quarter length of the unabridged text, making it perfect for readers with limited time.

"Not speaking is the wiser part, And words are sometimes vain, But to completely close the heart In silence, gives me pain.

—Prince Genji, in The Tale of Genji

About the Author: Lady Murasaki Shikibu, born in 978, was a member of the famed Fujiwara clan-one of the most influential families of the Heian period. After the death of her husband, Shikibu immersed herself in Buddhism, and the religion's influence permeates her writing.

41 editions

nlowell@books.theunseen.city reviewed Tale of Genji (Tuttle Classics) by Murasaki Shikibu

Lost in Translation

4 stars

For a story that's 1000 years old, I found it remarkable - and somewhat depressing - that people haven't really changed all that much over the centuries.

The biggest hurdle I needed to cross was coming to grips with the cultural and literary symbols and metaphors that drive the story forward. The story contains as much poetry as much as narrative and figures prominently in the interactions between various characters. Characteristics like penmanship - this or that person has an elegant hand - and family relationships contribute context.

While it's touted as, perhaps, the world's first novel, it reads more like the world's first serial. Each chapter, an episode in an ongoing chronicle of the golden Genji, so beautiful and elegant he cannot be long for the earthly realm. In Murasaki Shibiku's eyes, he's something of a rogue among the ladies, collecting a harem of those who have attracted his …

For a story that's 1000 years old, I found it remarkable - and somewhat depressing - that people haven't really changed all that much over the centuries.

The biggest hurdle I needed to cross was coming to grips with the cultural and literary symbols and metaphors that drive the story forward. The story contains as much poetry as much as narrative and figures prominently in the interactions between various characters. Characteristics like penmanship - this or that person has an elegant hand - and family relationships contribute context.

While it's touted as, perhaps, the world's first novel, it reads more like the world's first serial. Each chapter, an episode in an ongoing chronicle of the golden Genji, so beautiful and elegant he cannot be long for the earthly realm. In Murasaki Shibiku's eyes, he's something of a rogue among the ladies, collecting a harem of those who have attracted his attention over his long lifetime.

Eventually the story evolves into a family saga, Genji's children and associate relations finding a place in the story. Most of them follow the same paths to success and/or ruin as Genji marked out for them.

For me, the book was a challenge. Trying to appreciate how much more elegant and beautiful the writing might have been in the original Japanese. Trying to understand the metaphors and symbols. I come away from it certain that much of its charm must be lost because I failed in those efforts.

One thing came through. The stories that Shibiku tells could have come from any modern soap opera. The triumphs and tragedies are all personal, all character driven based on the underlying culture and mores of the time - much as they would be in a modern tale of court intrigues and romances.

Just without today's Happily Ever After endings.

Recommended for anybody wanting to immerse themselves in the cultural history of Japan.

Transparency: I picked up a copy from ebooks@adelaide and just grabbed this cover/description from the Open Library.