Published by the female aristocrat, Murasaki Shikibu, somewhere around the year one thousand eleven. Consisting of 54 chapters, it is generally considered to be the world's first true novel, and thereby occupies a critical role in the world's literary canon. It is almost universally acknowledged that this book is the finest flower of all Japanese literature, past or present.
The Tale of Genji offers an unparalleled glimpse into the spirit and grandeur of the Heian era of Japan, which extended from 794 AD to 1191, between the Nara and Kamakura eras. During this era of peace and economic stability, an aristocracy controlled by the Fujiwara family dominated Japan, and the nation's capital was located at Kyoto. This period was a classic age of art and literature. Japan's culture was no longer one largely borrowed from China but had become distinctively Japanese. The ruling classes lived lives of luxury and prosperity, pursuing the fine arts and music. A man was measured as much by the quality of his poetry as by the strength of his sword.
Prince Genji, the hero of this sparkling chronicle of court life, is a complex personality and a peerless lover. It is on the field of love, not on the fields of battle, that the romantic Genji excels. With consummate sensitivity, he responds differently to meet the needs of each woman he captivates. That his character has enthralled readers ever since the tale first appeared is a tribute to its author. But the novel is also unforgettable for its rich poetry, imagery, and imaginative wordplay.
