Book Review: The Tale of Genji

The Tale of Genji

Author: Murasaki Shikibu
Publisher:  MyBooks Classics 
Publish Date: 11th Century 

Book Rating 5+
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Publisher's Description 

Murasaki Shikibu, or Lady Murasaki as she is sometimes known in English (Japanese: 紫式部), was a Japanese novelist, poet, and a maid of honor of the imperial court during the Heian period. She was most well known as the author of The Tale of Genji. It was written in Japanese between about 1000 and 1008 (11th century.). It one of the earliest and most famous novels in human history. The original manuscript no longer exists. It was made in "concertina" or "orihon" style: several sheets of paper pasted together and folded alternately in one direction then the other, around the peak of the Heian period. 

 "Murasaki Shikibu" was not her real name; her actual name is unknown, though some scholars have postulated that her given name might have been Takako (for Fujiwara Takako). Her diary states that she was nicknamed "Murasaki" ("purple wisteria blossom") at court, after a character in The Tale of Genji. "Shikibu" refers to her father's position in the Bureau of Ceremony (shikibu-shō). She also credited with the creation of hiragana. 

The work is a unique depiction of the lifestyles of high courtiers during the Heian period. The language used is now considered archaic and a poetic and confusing style that makes it unreadable to the average Japanese without dedicated study. 

Book received:  Own

Why I Picked it up: It was long overdue for a reread.  Images of the book have been showing up all over my Instagram and new feed. I also have the pleasure of seeing screens of scenes from the Teal of Genji at the Freer and Sackler in Washington DC. It is something to stand in the room with these screens and know where they are from and to hold what inspired them in your hands. 

Why I finished it: It was funny and wonderful and witty. She was women of her time and wrote for the women that would come after her. She is one of the reasons that we have novels. She is one of the reasons that an entire country reads and is love with books. 

Who I would give it to: Women. Women should read this.