Murasaki Shikibu Books

Loui's work caught me by surprise. It is both well thought-out and interesting enough to keep the readers attention. This is a difficult subject to write an in-depth study on. The book succeeds where others do not.

Loui has written a smart, penetrating book that manages to compare and contrast Murasaki and Proust in ways that are both interesting and instructive. The similarities between these writers have always been noted, but finding something new to say about those similarities is hard, and Loui has risen to the challenge brilliantly.

Beside being of important literary value Jane Reichhold's translation of "The Tale of Genji" is a work of both historic and anthropological significance. The importance of a type of poem, the tanka, to educated Japanese may be difficult for the average American reader to appreciate. In cultures where manners and formality mark social interaction poetry often becomes the vehicle of deep personal feelings. Japanese, as well as Arab and Persian society, are such cultures.
This new translation of Murasaki Shikubu's "Love Poems from The Tale of Genji" is must reading for those who would understand the world view of cultures other than their own.

Robert Gibson

A String of Flowers, Untied... Love Poems From The Tale of Genji is a new, evocative translation of poetry by Jane Reichhold (with the assistance of hatsue Kawamura) drawn from the first 33 chapters of the classic cornerstone of Japanese literature, "The Tale of Genji." Over 400 tanka poems filled with love, sexual desire, longing, and pleasures of the flesh fill the pages of this emotional and passionate rendition. "to be alone/remembering times when one/lived like a fisherman/pictures drawn on tidal flats/is what I should have been"

Murasaki Shikibu was one of the most active and brilliant ladies at the Heian court. Her best-known work, "Genji monogatari", is a masterpiece of japanese litarature. But, apart from "The tale of Genji", she has left us her diary and poetic memoirs. In this "translation and study" (a text full of notes and commentary) professor Bowring, through shrewd remarks and penetrating analysis, shows us a world made of ceremonies, depicted screens, scented essences, poetry, love affairs, colours, silks and brocades, evoking a series of vivid and moving impressions. I like this book because it's a great mirror of a wonderful microcosm from a time now past.

Its funny to say, my name is Genji Jacques. Yes i am telling the truth, I am not Lying. I am surprised to see my name in the web site, its great. Anyways I just want to say that the book was inspirational and I am sure I will read other novels on my name. Thanks, Genji Jacques

Thought of as the first novel written "The Tale of Genji" was written during the Heian period by Lady Murasaki Shikibu. The story is an interpretation of her accounts in the royal court of Japan. The setting is placed in the capital of Japan in the 10th century. Her writings spanned her life in court which changed and matured while she served the Empress Akiko. Once completed, the tale was widely accepted immediately after its release. The story recounts the life of a noblemen brought to commoner's status by his father the emperor. His beauty and talents (poetry, music, seduction) are heavenly and beyond reproach. It follows his life from childhood to adulthood and how drastic turning points of his life are overcome (the story carries past his death and on through to his descendants). An example would be his self exile to Suma after a disastrous affair emboldens his love for Murasaki (the heroine of the story). He grows as the years pass and learns a great deal from his past indiscretions. A bond can be felt with the main character. Even though his situations occurred in times long past, they can still be related to situations of love, close friendships, family bonding and the overcoming of one's place in life.

"The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu is recognized as the world's first true novel. Written in the late 10th or early 11th century, it is a story of the life of "Genji", who is the son of an Emperor of Japan in the 9th century. Known as "The shining Prince", the story follows Genji's exploits over the course of his lifetime. The book gives insight into the lifestyle of a young, strikingly handsome prince who is revered by those he comes in contact with.

The true author, known as Murasaki Shikibu, was the daughter of a governor of several provinces. She is recognized as writing the entire tale, which consists of 54 chapters in its original format. Because all of the original versions were handwritten, the version we know of today are edited and compiled from multiple versions that were copied from the original, copied by an unknown scholar during the 13th century.

The story gives insight as to royal life during the time period. Its unabashed views of the lifestyle of Genji, and those around him, do not spare the reader of the downsides of royal life. In fact, much of what is portrayed in the book could be considered scandalous in nature, given the positions of importance many of the characters in the book have in Japanese society of that time period.

What strikes me as fascinating with this book is the obvious parallels to the life and human nature of those who live in today's world. The real life drama and adventure presented in this novel is compelling, if not somewhat scandalous. It is an absolutely compelling read, considering the time period it was written in, and it provides a fascinating look into the formality of royal life of the time period. The details are immaculate, and the romanticism of the era, even if somewhat misguided, are enough to make the most stoic reader feel the emotions of the characters in the book.

The many references to poetry, music, and writing styles are reminiscent of the way Japan imported much of its early style and influence from the Chinese and Koreans. Reading this book is like reading a history novel, but from the standpoint of being part of history. It is an excellent supplement to college level history classes, which is how I came to read it myself.

This book by far stands on its own when compared to other novels, if not for the quality of the content, then simply for consideration of the time period it was written in. The sheer detail and manner of writing are second to none, and rivals the quality of the product of today's writers. I would definitely recommend it to others, and I would absolutely without hesitation rate this as one of the better novels I have read.

The book was excellent and the pictures were produced with high quality. The historical detail was technically correct. My daughter will keep this book along with her other art history books. She plans to get a graduate degree in Museum Studies and this will be a great addition to her art library.

Very lyrical and sensual the story flows like a murmuring stream. I'm not even finished yet and I'm quite hooked by it already! ^.^V Quite wonderful.

It is a dangerous endeavour to place a story for a time and place which is so far and so unknown for us, but Liza Dalby has managed to do it successfully. Murasaki has lived nearly one thousand years ago in the enclosed world of the Japanese Emperor, but the author has created the feeling of the 11th century very well. The book is enjoyable, exciting and interesting, giving the impression that the real story of Murasaki has happened exactly like that. The descriptions are wonderful about the life in the court, the dances, the celebrations are happening in front of us. Murasaki was a really interesting and brave woman who has managed to reach everything a woman could reach one thousand years ago in a strictly hierarchic world like the Japanese Emperor's court. I think she is a woman who deserves to know her life, and Liza Dalby has caught the essential of the Japanese soul.

I did NOT enjoy this book.

Interesting cultural aspects aside (that's about all this book is good for) I did not find the protagonist interesting. I didn't cry over her 'keeping her mother here' or whatever she thought she was doing when her mom was cremated and she wished for the smoke to keep rising. I found her a sad person. I mean, just SAD, not in her life circumstances but I just didn't like her, Genji and all aside.

It's been a long time since I read this book, and I'm writing by the seat of my pants. I simply DID NOT like this book at all. And I will not ever be reading it again. That's pretty bad for me. o.o

Wow, I learned so much from this rich, visual novel. Historical fiction about the 11th century Japanese woman who wrote the WORLD'S FIRST NOVEL!! I hadn't even heard of her before. Liza Dalby (author) is an anthropologist and the only westerner to have become a geisha. This book was a magical find. Whether due to the small print or lyrical, sometimes dreamy, prose I found myself reading much SLOWER than I normally do, but that's not a bad thing. Very lush, i really felt transported. The translations of the poetry were quite good. I now feel very well-schooled in 11th century Japan (an era I knew little about before reading this novel). Very nice.

I picked this book up only because it was historical fiction and I did enjoy "Memoirs of a Geisha"; however, this is much different and at first I was rather disappointed. I didn't particularly like the first person narrative and what I thought of as the "weird little phrases" of poetry interspersed, but I kept reading. I was soon pulled in and could not put it down. Not that I especially liked the character of Muraski, but I so enjoyed the visit to 11th century Japan.

I agree with those that remarked on the lack of background regarding the politics and religion that shape this novel, but I didn't find it overwhelming. Instead, it spurred my interest to investigate further.

It is hard to judge the qualities of characters that are living in a world so far from our own. The exchanges of "waka" seem bizarre at first, but I actually found myself looking at my own surroundings (especially nature) in a new light. Although the author, I felt, was too detailed, too wordy (especially in the long descriptions of colors and kimonos), we could all learn something about saying so much in so few words.

How enthralling to briefly inhabit a world without time;
how much my time has changed.

Being someone who has lived in Japan, studied Japanese culture, and for whom the Heian period - in which this book takes place - holds a particular fascination, I must nevertheless reveal that this book dies half-way when the author's gender-bending agenda takes over and crushes the thrust of the story. Murasaki was indeed a remarkable character, and the first half of the novel does a wonderful job in constructing what her early life may have been like, but the author's creation of her character's romantic preference for women denies the historical hetero orientation of "The Tale of Genji". To paraphrase Virgina Woolf, authors should write from the perspective of all people, WITHOUT AGENDAS.

The Tale of Genji was written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early eleventh century. It is a classic Japanese work of literature that is about the son of a Japanese emperor, his romantic journeys and encounters, and many of the customs of the noble society at the time.
The Tale of Genji was written for Japanese women of the royal society. It is much like a novel written today. It has a central character, many major and minor characters, complexity, and events that take place upon a timeline. This timeline is based on the main character's life.
Most of the characters are only referred to by their position in the society, for example, The Minister of the Right, Minister of the Left, and His Excellency. This was a common trait used during the Heian Period. During this era, the Heian court ruled that names would not be used in public.
The book was written to entertain women of the royal society in eleventh century Japan. It used very difficult and complex grammar throughout the book. Poetry is used in everyday conversations. Many of the poems were not finished and left for the reader to complete the verse. This was also very common during the Heian period.
At the time of this novel, many of the official writings were written by men. They were written in Chinese characters. The Tale of Genji was written in native Japanese by a woman. Women's poetry from this era is compared to Shakespeare in English.

Genji monogatari is many things to many people. To me, it was a great read, plain and simple. I had done some research on it years ago, but when given the chance to truly study and pick it apart for my History of Japan course in college, I jumped at the chance.

It met my expectations, simply because it fulfilled a few things that I had built up in my head about it. It truly must have been the world's first novel. The characterization of each character mentioned including the evolution of Murasaki (to dismiss her as Genji's child bride would be a grave mistake), the choppy but easy to follow plot, the well-documented lifestyle of a Heian courtier was a treat to read.

Much has been made of Genji's love affairs, but there is more to him than that. I think my favourite part in the whole story was Genji's reaction to seeing Kaoru, his adopted son by the Third Princess. He questions his own mortality, and at his age (about forty, if I was understanding it correctly), who wouldn't? It's simple things like one questioning mortality, or reading about a little girl being admonished for playing with dolls, that make you think. Not necessarily bad things, but just think.

Of course, with all translations certain things are lost, usually comprehension. In my case, upon reading the Seidensticker translation, I had to continually re-read what I had read two sentences ago to make some sense in my head. I also attribute this to Murasaki (the author was named for the character, not the other way around), who wrote it in pieces to amuse her fellow ladies-in-waiting.

All I know is that I shouldn't have waited this long to fall into the storied life of Hikaru Genji. I have been missing out on something for a long time.

I have the Royall Tyler translation and was looking forward to comparing that with Seidensticker's work, but I found that the editors or proof-readers responsible for this edition (Seidensticker's translation)did the publisher and all concerned a disservice in not spotting the error in the Introduction (page ix was missing and in its place page x was repeated). I gave this a solitary star because this sort of error should not have been made.

Genji is a terrible person. Everyone loves Genji. These two facts alone are anyone would have to know about The Tale of Genji to truly understand it on its surface. Genji seemingly has an overly simplistic plot, more in common with the soap operatic romance novels spoken of within the book than a true work of classical fiction. This might not be unexpected in such an early tale. However, Genji's complex personality and his undying devotion for each and every woman he falls in love with make the book more interesting than any chain of events could. The Tale of Genji might be better judged as a psychological profile than based on the chain of events.

The book has some very interesting features of its own. It's an interesting way to learn about the culture and ways of high society Japan in its early days. The story at times can be trying and predictable, but if you allow yourselves to become attached to the characters it is quite moving at times. Despite all his flaws it can be hard not to take Genji's side in some matters, and when he falls from grace you'll feel sorry for him and when he rises back to prominence you'll be as happy as any of his devoted followers.

The biggest drawback of The Tale of Genji is its immense length. Over a thousand pages small print for the original 1960's Arthur Waley translation, and apparently that's even with an omitted chapter. Since Genji never forgets anyone that has fallen into his care, you'll have to keep track of all the characters and their relationship with Genji as well. And there's plenty of them. What disappointed me most was that for some reason Murasaki decided to write two more parts after Genji's story ends. While The Lady of the Boat and The Bridge of Dreams are written just as well as the rest of the story, it makes an exhausting read even more so.

If you have plenty of time on your hands and want to read a book that's most likely different from any you've read before, The Tale of Genji might be for you. Certainly anyone with an interests in Japanese culture or literature should give it a try. But it's not a book to take lightly. If you've ever tried to read The Lord of the Rings and found the prospect daunting, this equally weighty novel might be a bit much for you.

The Tale of Genji, by Murasaki Shikibu is like a Heian period Soap Opera. This book follows Genji through his life and his many relationships. Although Genji is the main character, the book also explores many different subplots having to do with the people of the Heian court with whom Genji associates. The main focus of the story is Genji and his many love affairs. Genji is a beautiful and cultured man and many women are drawn to him. He takes many wives, but he also has affairs with many other women both inside and outside the Heian court. Having affairs outside the court is scandalous and he does this in secret. Every affair is different from the others. Each woman has something unique to offer Genji.
The book is composed of many different overlapping stories that complicate one another as the story progresses. Although Genji is the main focus, many other characters lives become part of the story. Relationships of all forms are explored through the characters. Secrets between family members are revealed. Men and women who are involved in extra marital affairs have secret children together. Men compete with each other for a certain woman's affections. People even become possessed by spirits and die. For the most part if you have seen it in a Soap Opera it has happened in this story.
This book was obviously written for a mature audience. The relationships are described in detail and the language, or prose, is intended for an adult reader. I think the author's intention was to draw you in to the characters' lives. Once the reader knows who the main characters are, she becomes engrossed in the interplay between the different characters. I feel the author accomplished what she set out to do. Although it takes a while to become familiar with the characters, once you do you become very interested in the different relationships between the characters. There is always something scandalous or unexpected being revealed. This helps to keep the reader's interest as the story continues to progress.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Heian Period Japanese culture. This book gives a glimpse into the lives of the people of this era. Although it is written in prose, it is not too difficult to read and understand. The Soap Opera-Like plot helps to keep your interest. There is always a surprise lurking around each corner.