A legendary Japanese novel by Murasaki Shikibu is called 『The legend of Genji』. This story follows the life of Prince Genji and was first published in 1192 CE.
The tale tells a story about a privileged lifestyle and how it affects members of society from different backgrounds. It shows how some value the need to be socially active while others find solace in loneliness and solitude. The tale gives an insight into the past lifestyle of Japan.
All characters in the book have a relationship with one another, and it gives a taste of feudal Japan’s social structure.
The character that is most central to the plot, Prince Genji, has many other characters who can be main characters. There is also a character called Toshihito, who has no other character who can be the main character.
Many characters in the book are not central to the plot and can be the side characters. The most important of these side characters is Yoshitsune. He appears in only three chapters, but they significantly impact the other characters and the overall plot.
The plot revolves around Prince Genji and his love story with a woman named Lady Murasaki. Most of the plot revolves around the battle between Genji and Murasaki, who is envious of the prince’s wealth, status and women.
IMPORTANCE:
There are many themes present within the book, and they include:
– Living in an era where things are not always as they seem
– Social connections – how essential it is to be part of society.
– The idea that a person’s happiness and success depend on how others treat them.
– True beauty – how people act in an external world can sometimes damage their reputation.
– Love is not enough to guarantee you and your loved one happy. Being independent or part of something bigger than yourself can sometimes create problems for you. Human nature: the human need for love, passion and admiration for others. Being part of a privileged world can sometimes be lonely and scary. The powerful message that ‘you cannot live without passion.
– The idea that there are many differences between people. But they can come together because of their common love for their country. A person’s history and background are not always positive factors when considering the future. His appearance is not always an indication of their worth. Power and ambition can sometimes cause people to make bad decisions.
– The idea of fate is that a person’s luck could change based on a decision they make. The importance of friendship and love. Beauty is not always found in physical objects – sometimes, it is found within the people you meet and their history. Understanding your place in society. The tale is a piece of literature that I think everyone should read at least once in their lifetime.
The lessons that can learn include:
– The things people do to achieve what they desire – like Prince Genji, who attempts to achieve love and recognition.
– The importance of social connections and friends – even if they hold you back or slow you down.
– How a person’s upbringing and background cannot always help predict their future.
– The difference between beauty and attraction.
– The idea of social and historical importance – the way we see a person is often skewed by their societal position.
– The idea that we cannot live without passion is what makes you who you are and gives you meaning.
Although written in Japanese, “The Tale of Genji” has been translated into English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazilian), and Spanish.
The first English translation was publish in 1899 by Ernest Fenollosa.
The Tale of Genji is not only an English book but also a Japanese book. Therefore, two authors can be the tale’s authors.
The first author is Murasaki Shikibu, born around 973 CE. She was the writer of “Genji-Monogatari”, which means a tale about Genji. The name she used for her pen name is unknown as she did not reveal it to anyone.
The second author is a woman named Sei Shonagon, who was born in around 968 CE. She was the wife of a nobleman called Shōhaku, a poet about whom the poem “Asuka Kishi no Uchikado”, or “Springs of Seven Treasures”, is written.
The story begins with Murasaki discussing with Shonagon many different topics, including:
– Women’s garments, hairstyles, and make-up.
– The different types of food and drinks.
– The etiquette of reading poetry.
– Various subjects such as the seasons and food.
Shonagon had interest in the lives of others and wanted to learn more about them. She often asked other people to write down their thoughts and feelings in a diary so that she could read it later on. Shonagon also kept a diary herself.
There is a belief that Shonagon wrote down the diary of Murasaki before her death, and it is the first example of a diary in Japan.
The Legend of Genji contains the following themes:
-An overview of an emperor’s court lifestyle.
– A description of life for women married to men from the royal family – their life history and daily rituals such as: how they slept, ate, bathed etc.
– Murasaki talks about the different types of houses that the court ladies owned.
– A letter was written by Yoshikata, who is a well-known official at the court. The letter is mainly about writing poetry, and he also advises Murasaki on how to write about her subjects.
Many characters in the book are not central to the plot and can be side characters.
These characters are:
– The Emperor: he is the highest person in the court. His name is Kiritsubo Asakusa. However, he is too distracted by his thoughts to be of use most of the time.
– Lady Kokiden: she is the Emperor’s concubine and a relative of Lady Akashiya. She is often jealous of people with more beauty or power, which threatens her status as a favourite among her contemporaries in the court.
– The Emperor’s consort: she is the mother of the Emperor’s heir. Her name is Shōshi, and she is the narrator’s paternal aunt. Although she doesn’t belong to the most powerful family in Genji, her husband was a Prince whose rank was equal to that of Genji.
– Princess Asagao, also known as Asagao no Nyōgo: She is the daughter of Lady Kokiden. Her birth was kept a secret from the Emperor because he didn’t want any more children. She has a pale complexion and is very sweet-natured. She has great compassion for those around her and therefore helped the narrator many times when she was in trouble.
– The Grand Counselor: He is the head of all official counsellors to the Emperor and is often referred to as “the master”. He also controls all high officials in court.
– The Grand Counselor’s wife: She is the Emperor’s heir’s mother and Lady Akashiya’s adoptive daughter.
– Lady Dainagon: She is the main antagonist of Murasaki. Both women have a close relationship with Prince Genji. However, Genji favours Lady Dainagon above her, making Murasaki jealous and angry.
– Lady Akashiya: She is the mother of the Emperor’s heir. She is also Lady Kokiden’s adoptive daughter.
– The Heir: He is the son of Lady Akashiya
The first heir to become Emperor
– Yoshikiyo: He was born in a lower family but became the head of a wealthy family after his father died and inherited his father’s position as Minister of the Right.
– Shōshi: She is Yoshikiyo’s mother and is a mighty woman because of her rank.
– Genji: He is Prince Atsuhira and the half-brother of the Emperor. He has a close relationship with Princess Asagao.
– Tō no Chūjō: He is Prince Atsuhira’s younger brother. His nickname is Chūjō.
– Akikonomu: She is the mother of Prince Atsuhira, also known as Prince Hotaru. Her husband was a powerful official who fathered many children; therefore, her family was rather prominent in the court. However, Genji had done something terrible to her family, so they were all killed by Genji’s men.
– Shōnagon: She is Akikonomu’s daughter. Her nickname is Shōnagon. Both Murasaki and Shōnagon are jealous of each other, and the only person who is able to stop them from fighting is Prince Genji.
– Tō no Chūjō’s wife: She is the mother of Princess Asagao. She is a cheerful and cheerful woman and is very stubborn.
– Shizuka: She is Genji’s wife. The role she plays in the tale is like the old wives who tell stories to the younger wives.
– Lady Rokujo: She was born into a powerful family. However, she was not talented enough to be considered the main character.
Conclusion of the story- The Legend of Genji
Murasaki does not have much of a vital role in the story, which means that her role is passive. She stopped writing because she was shattered by Lady Dainagon’s actions and Genji’s actions.
The book was written for the women who were married to men from the nobility (princes) as it describes their lives and what they did for fun, such as tea ceremonies, dancing, poetry and music etc.
