Book Description
Written in the eleventh century, this exquisite portrait of courtly life in medieval Japan is widely celebrated as the world's first novel. Genji, the Shining Prince, is the son of an emperor. He is a passionate character whose tempestuous nature, family circumstances, love affairs, alliances, and shifting political fortunes form the core of this magnificent epic. Royall Tyler's superior translation is detailed, poetic, and superbly true to the Japanese original while allowing the modern reader to appreciate it as a contemporary treasure. Supplemented with detailed notes, glossaries, character lists, and chronologies to help the reader navigate the multigenerational narrative, this comprehensive edition presents this ancient tale in the grand style that it deserves.
Translated by Royall Tyler
Customer Reviews:
Bigger Than I Thought.......2007-07-03
Well, it may take me 5 years to read it, but it's supposed to be a classic, and I have tackled bigger. I started last night, and so far so good, did 20 pages. A lot of info, but I know I will get through it.
Tale of Genji .......2007-05-24
No novel has gripped a nation and culture as, "The Tale of Genji", by Murasaki Shikibu has the people of Japan and many others. This novel penned roughly a thousand years ago during the Heian era in Japan by a woman remains relevant today. In Japan, the novel has spawned creations in other artistic mediums such as the scrolls of the 12th century painter Fujiwara Takayoshi, which depict scenes taken from the novel. And, the influence has continued unabated with other paintings, ceramics, sculpture and so on. Both No theater and Kabuki theater also dip into the Genji well for inspiration.
In the context of history, " The Tale of Genji", resists comparison to any other work with the works of Homer perhaps being the lone exception. While the works of Dickens in Great Britain, Twain in America, Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky in Russia and others depict snippets of history in their respective cultures, the popularity of their works do not compare to the singular work of Murasaki Shikibu. Why this is so, I will never know, but in the reading of the novel, the rich and evocative language and poetic prose along with a transfixing yet meandering storyline accost the reader.
Although Murasaki possessed transcendent talent, she wrote to a diminutive audience. In fact, her readership was composed of the very people that she utilized as characters. No one else was intended to read her masterpiece. The notion that her novel, set in this obscure time and place, would be relevant for over one thousand years by countless millions, would surely blow her mind. So the question remains as to why it still unto this day resonates, and the answer to this is multifaceted and complex. And they speak to the timeless and unchangeable nature of mankind. Therefore, her themes are as relevant today as yesterday, and they will be relevant tomorrow.
One such theme that is embodied in the character of the protagonist Genji is the insatiable and restless nature of mankind. An inability to attain contentedness permeates his existence. Even though he is endowed with privilege, talent, looks, and access to the throne, his life is wrought with inner turmoil. In this, every decision he makes seems to further complicate his life, rather than provide him peace. From his acquisition of wives, which seemed right at the time, to the construction of his dream mansion at Rokujo to house his wives in a symmetrical fashion, nothing satisfied.
Another theme that pervades the pages of this epic relates to the issues of gender. Relating to this issue, the author Murasaki Shikibu, a woman, emerges as an expert witness. And, the issue at hand is the objectification of women, and its deleterious ramifications on all. From Genji's abduction of the character Murasaki, a defenseless preteen, to the courting of Ukifune later on in the novel, the injurious ramifications of this objectification emerge. The only escape hatch available for these women at this time appears to be the world of Buddhism and nunnery.
These are two of the many themes that enthrall the readers of, "The Tale of Genji" unto this very day. And, this is why the novel, one of the first the world has ever witnessed, still rings true today and is worth reading. And, read you will since the novel is lengthier than "War and Peace".
do not compare to the singular work of Murasaki Shikibu. Why this is so, I will never
The book i read every summer.......2007-03-21
Yes, i confess i re-read this book every summer. And every year i have to consult the name chart to keep all the names and relations straight in my head. Every year i find a few new details and enigmas. What would have happen if so and so would meet or not meet. There is so much to learn and enjoy from this kilometric book; the poetry, the elaborate descriptions on court procedures, the politics, the family relations, the ghosts, the passing of time, the love affairs. It can be a challenge but to me its a pleasure, my escape!
A classic work of Japanese literature.......2007-03-02
The Tale of Genji, by Murasaki Shikibu. Translated by Royall Tyler.
In the tenth/eleventh century, Murasaki Shikibu published her masterpiece, The Tale of Genji. Even to this day the legendary tale stands strong, and not surprisingly it has always been in print, and translated by a number of different authors over the years. What started as a tale to entertain the women of the aristocracy in ancient Japan became a worldwide phenomenon.
With this story, Shikibu was seeking to create a tale for the purpose of entertaining her fellow women of the aristocracy. By doing this she combined numerous characters of different personalities, with a central main character who would endure the drama. As the story progresses we see Genji grow older, and witness his evolution as a human being.
Shikibu succeeds excellently in her objective. With Genji, she created a tale that does not fail to please. From start to finish, the character of Genji remains interesting, as do the other characters he interacts with. It's true that the book does tend to drag on for too long and that there are way too many characters, but these are ultimately small flaws to the author's central purpose.
As other reviewers often state, this book has been translated a number of times. I myself read the Tyler translation, but after having read some other reviews and excerpts from other versions of the novel, I wish I hadn't. Compared with some of the other excepts I've read, it's clear that the Waley translation is definitely conveyed with more emotion and class. By comparison the Tyler translation seems dull. But this is what you get when you attempt to translate something - losing elements in a translation is inevitable.
Despite some problems here and there, like the massive length, legions of characters, and the rather dull tone of Tyler's translation, Genji is a success. It's not surprising people call this the world's first novel - for something that came out over a thousand years ago, this work is certainly ahead of its time. It's an excellent work of literature, and I'm glad I read it. But take my advice and read one of the other translations. It's not that Tyler does a bad job, it's just that there are others who have done better.
Beautiful but Boring.......2007-02-05
I was expecting something a little more mythical with maybe some Samurai action. What _The Tale of Genji_ is ACTUALLY about though, is a spoiled aristocrat and his constant womanizing ... then the consequences of his lifestyle as he grows older. It moves incredibly slowly, and for the first 600 pages nothing really interesting happens. The book was enjoyable on a purely abstract, almost tactile level, and I liked it while I was reading it .. but when I put it down, I felt that there was nothing really to draw me back and make me want to read more. I was grimly determined after spending nearly $30 that I WAS going to finish it, so I slogged on. Somewhere in the 600s the story started to pick up after a series of events is set in motion by the simple event of a cat bumping a curtain and allowing a neurotic gentleman a brief glimpse of a beautiful woman inside a house. The woman is not properly accessible to him, but he wants her badly ... the plot twirls into soap-opera complexity as characters' incorrect behavior lands them in excruciating trouble. The second half of the book is much better than the first, and just when it's getting interesting - it stops. It doesn't end; it just STOPS with the words "That appears to be what is in the book."
The translator has done his best to provide background information to clarify to the English-speaking reader what is going on. The footnotes and illustrations are very helpful, but inevitably this story is hard to follow, mainly because almost none of the characters have names. They are referred to (very properly) by their official titles, and in the case of women, often referred to by their husband's title or where they live, or by association with a certain object or event. Even the main character, Genji, does not actually have a name in the story. The term "genji" simply refers to a person of imperial descent who is given a surname and a position as a ranked "commoner." Characters' rank and title change over time, so a character may be referred to by a different term from one chapter to the next. It's very confusing and often difficult to keep track of who is who.
I would only recommend this book to somebody who is really into feudal Japanese culture and has a lot of spare time to spend on it. It's interesting on an intellectual/aesthetic level, but the entertainment value here is very low.
Amazon.com
Widely acknowledged as the world's first novel, this astonishingly lovely book was written by a court lady in Heian Japan and offers a window into that formal, mannered world. Genji, a man of passionate impulses and a lover of beauty, is the favorite son of the Emperor, though his position at court is not entirely stable. He follows his wayward longings through moonlight-soaked gardens and jeweled pavilions, with mysterious women such as the Lady of the Orange Blossoms, the Akashi lady, and his own father's Empress. This version is translated by Edward G. Seidensticker, who has translated a number of other great Japanese writers such as Mishima and Kawabata.
Book Description
In the eleventh century Murasaki Shikibu, a lady in the Heian court of Japan, wrote the world's first novel. But The Tale of Genji is no mere artifact. It is, rather, a lively and astonishingly nuanced portrait of a refined society where every dalliance is an act of political consequence, a play of characters whose inner lives are as rich and changeable as those imagined by Proust. Chief of these is "the shining Genji," the son of the emperor and a man whose passionate impulses create great turmoil in his world and very nearly destroy him. This edition, recognized as the finest version in English, contains a dozen chapters from early in the book, carefully chosen by the translator, Edward G. Seidensticker, with an introduction explaining the selection. It is illustrated throughout with woodcuts from a seventeenth-century edition.
Customer Reviews:
Abridgement of THE great Japanese novel.......2005-11-06
This is a review of the abridged translation of The Tale of Genji by Edward G. Seidensticker.
The Tale of Genji was written in the 11th century by Lady Murasaki Shikibu, and its story is set in the same period. It is universally considered THE great Japanese traditional novel, and one of the greatest works of world literature.
Seidensticker's abridged translation is about one-quarter as long as the complete work, and includes chapters 1, 4-5, 7-14 and 17. These chapters hang together fairly well as a self-contained narrative that gives a flavor for the complete work. The story begins with the lady of the Paulownia Court, a kind and refined woman with whom the Emperor falls in love. Because she lacks support at court, she is hounded to death by those jealous of her, including Kokiden, the Emperor's wife. But before she dies she gives birth to the Emperor's son, Genji. Since, like his mother, he lacks influential relatives at court, the Emperor keeps him a commoner (and hence ineligible to become Emperor). But from his childhood, Genji's beauty, elegance, artistry and aesthetic sensibility leaves others awestruck, and frequently in love with him. In the period of the novel, upper-class people occupied themselves primarily with poetry composition, painting, ritual activities and romantic affairs. These affairs were largely tolerated, as long as they were conducted discreetly. Much of the novel is taken up with Genji's affairs, which lead him into near-disaster more than once. Eventually, he is discovered in the apartments of Oborozukiyo, sister of Kokiden. Genji might have gotten away with this under his father's reign, but by this time his father has been succeeded by the Suzaku Emperor, who is largely controlled by his mother, Kokiden. So the scandal leads to Genji going into exile. At the end of this abridgement, Genji returns from exile, in part through the intervention of the spirit of his father, who appears to the Suzaku Emperor in a dream, and then Genji's illicit son succeeds to the throne. We eventually see Genji returned to his old honors at court, and planning on bringing to court the Akashi Lady, whom he met while in exile and who became the mother to Genji's daughter.
One might understand Genji as a man always searching for the mother whom he never knew. In the "Evening Faces" chapter, Genji has an affair with an unnamed woman whose hold on him seems mysterious: "She was of an extraordinarily gentle and quiet nature. ... She did not appear to be of very good family." (41) This could just as easily be a description of Genji's mother. This woman dies suddenly (seemingly as the result of malign spirits), so metaphorically Genji loses his mother once again. His great love is Fujitsubo, the new consort of the Emperor (Genji's father), whom the Emperor chose precisely because she reminds everyone of Genji's mother (22). Fujitsubo is also attracted to Genji, and their illicit relationship results in Genji forcing himself on her and fathering a son whom everyone believes to be the current Emperor's (86-88). (Indeed, this child eventually becomes the Reizei Emperor.) After this, Fujitsubo more and more isolates herself from Genji to avoid any suspicion. The other major woman in Genji's life is Murasaki. When Genji discovers her, she is a ten-year-old child. He finds out that, like him, she lost her mother while young. Perhaps even more significantly, she is Fujitsubo's niece (74)! Her father still lives, but she does not live with him, and he has not shown much interest in her. So Genji spirits her away in the middle of the night, planning on raising her to be his ideal woman.
This novel could also be seen as presenting a sort of Buddhist perspective on romantic love. Genji sees the beauty in everything. This is part of the reason that he is attracted to so many different women. And in the aesthetic of this book, beauty is accentuated by its very transience. The person we love today may die tomorrow. This is a distinctively Zen perspective. But Genji is also trapped by his attachment to the people whom he loves from achieving enlightenment. Listening to a monk intone the scriptures "Genji was filled with envy. Why did he not embrace the religious life? He knew... that the chief reason was" Murasaki (208).
The position of women in Genji's society is complex. Genji says of women, "The clear, forceful ones I can do without. ...a woman who is quiet and withdrawn and follows the wishes of a man even to the point of letting herself be used has much the greater appeal" (62-63). On the other hand, the novel does have a genuine heroine: Fujitsubo. She resists her attraction to Genji and then resigns as Empress and becomes a nun, all for the good of her son. The ambivalent position of women is well illustrated by the interaction between Genji's wife, Aoi, and the Rokujo Lady. After Genji ends his affair with the latter, his wife's servants embarrass her at a public event. Then when Aoi is pregnant, she becomes seriously ill when possessed by a spirit: "It was not Aoi's voice, nor was the manner hers. Extraordinary-and then he knew that it was the voice of the Rokujo lady. He was aghast." (162) The Rokujo Lady's spirit has "gone walking" in her sleep, attacking the object of her anger and jealousy. The story clearly takes this as a serious possibility, but we can also see it as a symbolic playing out of the dangers of affairs and jealousy.
There are many aspects of this story that will seem alien or even disturbing to contemporary Western readers. As one of my students put it, colloquially but succinctly, "Genji seems like a player": it is hard to even keep track of how many affairs he has over the course of the novel. And his relationship with young Murasaki is, to be equally colloquial, creepy. She is frightened when he comes in the night to take her away, but he tells her "You are not to sulk, now, and make me unhappy. Would I have done all this for you if I were not a nice man? Young ladies should do as they are told." (103) He takes her virginity just a few years later, after essentially treating her as his daughter.
But we must also keep in mind that Genji's behavior was not regarded in his culture the way that it would be in our own. And we must recognize Genji's admirable qualities. He sees something unique and beautiful in each of the women that he has a relationship with, and does not merely forget them afterwards: "His manner as always gentle and persuasive, it is doubtful that he said anything he did not mean. There were no ordinary, common women among those with whom he had had even fleeting affairs, nor were there any among them in whom he could find no merit; and so it was, perhaps, that an easy, casual relationship often proved durable." (235) This is perhaps more than many people today could say.
An interesting journey to a different time and culture.......2004-08-05
In the book's defense, Aristotle said "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." Many of the events described in this book seem unacceptable to the Western 21st century moral code, BUT neither Lady Murasaki nor Genji were 21st century Westerners.
Many cultures around the world still have arranged marriages, the arrangements happen while the bride (and groom) are still children, sometimes the groom is much older, so there's nothing really THAT strange about that. From what I gleaned Genji didn't have physical relations with Murasaki until she was old enough so really, no harm no foul.
As far as the cultural content this book was fascinating, you have to factor in when it was written that it had to be translated into English which I would assume was no easy task for any translator; sometimes "ideas" don't translate as well as one would hope.
Other than that the book was a hard read but definitely worth it, I found myself almost craving to read it if I put it down for a while. I just couldn't wait to hear about Genji's next adventure or conquest.
The poetry was also of interest, apparently it was proof of intelligence and/or good breeding (or something) at that time to be able to make up a good poem spontaneously (on the fly) and they do this often throughout the book; which at first threw me while reading, but you soon get used to it.
You can also catch a hint of the traditional Japanese culture (that I know of, which isn't a lot) and it may help with an understanding of what it's all about; in other words it is possible to make some connections between then and now.
The characters are all very interesting and Murasaki makes them come alive with her very vivid descriptions of their personalities as well as physical descriptions that aren't too exhausting. You can practically say you "know" the people she describes, you can imagine someone you know that is just like that character. Genji is so haughty and pompous, it's almost comical at times, but who wouldn't be if they were given near god status at birth? He seems almost naive or innocent, even though in reality he's far from it, almost narcissistic, but it's all good because he's "Genji", lol. You almost become narcissistic along with him - toward him, it's contagious.
It is also very humorous at times and I found myself chuckling out loud (and then not able to explain to people what I'm laughing about because you "had to be there"); you get so in tune with the culture that you find humor in the "slights" that are completely culturally based.
I was struck so many times by the similarites between "human nature" then and now, the only real differences are cultural. Their personalities, their desires, their emotions are all the same as what we are familiar with in this day and age.
This was just a GOOD book and a GOOD story, it's no wonder it has been around so long.
Sondra
The Reviews Should be Reviewed!.......2003-10-09
It's amazing how so many of the people writing negative reviews on this book are focused on what they see as moral or philosophical content.
They seem to miss the fact that Lady Murasaki was writing in the context of the society at that time, and exploring those same moral conflicts within the reality of both society and individual consciousness. Genji is not a hero placed on a pedestal, Murasaki examines him in the most honest way, showing both the good and the bad, the beauty and the beast; and that's what makes it such a great novel. It has integrity of subject rarely seen in our modern formulas and Hollywood endings.
In modern texts the writing formulas is a hero who goes through a series of climaxes, culminating in a victory or defeat where the protagonist discovers something about themselves, but with Genji, the reader discovers something about themselves, and maybe that's too disturbing for some people.
In addition, it passes on an abundance of information on Japanese history and culture of the Heian area. It is a significant work relating to the Japanese Incense Ceremony called Kodo, of which today the most famous game is called "Genji Koh" or "Incense of the Genji."
Glorified Incest.......2002-02-05
This book disgusted me. I have never read anything so incestuous. 'Tale of Genji' is an overindulgent, horrific story. Any man who covets a girl of approxiamately age seven for a wife is what I would call a 'pedophile' not a prince. Not to mention that he impregnates his step mother. I have to wonder about those who gave this book 5 stars. Spare yourself the disgust, and use your money more wisely.
THE ACME OF REFINEMENT.......2000-10-19
It sure is a women's book; someone is in tears on every other page. Yet it does get through to a common nipponophile like me. It presents a certain ultimate in civilization, an elite who communicated to each other with brilliant artistry in subtle couplets.
Book Description
“Superbly written and genuinely engaging . . . one of those works that can be read and reread throughout one's life.” —Liza Dalby, Los Angeles Times Book Review
Written in the eleventh century, this exquisite portrait of courtly life in medieval Japan is widely celebrated as the world's first novel—and is certainly one of its finest. Genji, the Shining Prince, son of an emperor, is a passionate character whose tempestuous nature, family circumstances, love affairs, alliances, and shifting political fortunes form the core of this magnificent epic. Royall Tyler's superb translation is detailed, poetic, and true to the Japanese original while allowing the English reader to appreciate its timeless beauty. In this deftly abridged edition, Tyler focuses on the early chapters, which vividly evoke Genji as a young man and leave him at his first moment of triumph.
Customer Reviews:
An Excellent Read!!!!!.......2007-03-03
"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.
Book Description
The Tale of Genji was written in the eleventh century by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady of the Heian court. It is universally recognized as the greatest masterpiece of Japanese prose narrative, perhaps the earliest true novel in the history of the world. Until now there has been no translation that is both complete and scrupulously faithful to the original text. Edward G. Seidensticker's masterly rendering was first published in two volumes in 1976 and immediately hailed as a classic of the translator's art. It is here presented in one unabridged volume, illustrated throughout by woodcuts taken from a 1650 Japanese edition of The Tale of Genji.
Customer Reviews:
Ketrice Evans review .......2007-03-19
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.
The purple wisteria blooms only for me.......2007-03-05
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.
The Tale of Genji.......2007-03-05
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.
The Tale of Genji.......2007-03-01
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.
High School Review.......2006-03-08
Very few literal endeavors can be placed on the same scope as The Tale of Genji. Regarded as the first "true" novel ever written (in Japan's Heian era) and admittedly, one that has stood the testament of time and the effect it can have on the mercurial minds of readers taste. After you get over the overwhelming length of the book, you are greeted with a novel that incorporates the subtle beauty of Japanese prose, superstitions and intricacies of that period, an ambitious romantic in Genji, who's epic sense of love can be compared to Casanova. Born into the highest echelon of society and revered for his unnatual beauty, Genji suffers a fulfilling yet tragic, childhood. These happenings undoubtedly led to his behavior which spans a multitude of women, illegitimate children, and a *spoiler* tragic death. The book can be complex at times with the prolific metaphors that are casual only to those of East Asia at this times (such as the common reference to the purple lotus). The beautiful poetry can be abstract to those who aren't familiar with Heian era prose and the story itself in this translation, can be inconsistent and "downplayed" at times that belies the integrity of the original Japanese source. I enjoyed the book however. It'd be hard to recommend to most people since most wouldn't have the aptitude to read a book of this caliber. It is irrefutable that this book is a classic and one of the best of all time.
(Hope you liked it Mrs. Atcher)
Book Description
In the tradition of Robert Fagles's translation of the Iliad and the Odyssey, Viking presents a stunning translation of Lady Murasaki's exquisite portrait of courtly life in medieval Japan. Written in the eleventh century, The Tale of Genji is widely celebrated as the world's first novel, but as Donald Keene has observed, it is also "one of its greatest." Genji the Shining Prince, the son of an emperor, is a passionate character whose tempestuous nature, family circumstances, love affairs, alliances, and shifting political fortunes form the core of this magnificent epic. Throughout, The Tale of Genji offers a lively and well-rounded glimpse of golden age Japan with a cast of characters as richly conceived and nuanced as those of Proust. Royall Tyler's superb translation, detailed and poetic, is scrupulously true to the Japanese original but appeals immediately to the modern reader as well. Tyler includes detailed notes, glossaries, character lists, and chronologies to help the reader navigate the multigenerational narrative and its references. Magnificently packaged in a two-volume set with a slipcase, this is a literary event comparable to Seamus Heaney's bestselling translation of Beowulf. It will spark interest in this masterpiece of world literature and serve as the standard edition for many years to come.
Translated by Royall Tyler.
Customer Reviews:
Not for me.......2006-03-27
I had to read this book for class. It wasn't that good. Conversations get confusing because its not clear who is saying what. It might be a small book but its tedious reading. I'm usually a fast reader but it took me a couple of days just to get through 3 chapters. I asked around at class and found that I was not the only one who had this problem. Its less painful if you just get a summary or if you just get someone to tell you what happens.
A must for Japanophiles.......2004-04-16
This edition is actually the first volume of the series that makes up the complete Tale of Genji. After much anticipation, fuelled by books such as The Tale of Murasaki, I was ready to take on this giant of world literature. It was quite disappointing, but perhaps much of that was due to my strong personal dislike of the title character, Genji. Presented as a `shining prince', and the epitome of manhood, I found him to be a vain and childish character who was annoying in the extreme. So when the story is based on his adventures and accomplishments, it is bound to disappoint.
However, something strange happened with this book - by the end, I had decided to seek out the further volumes so as to complete the story. So Genji, annoying or otherwise, grows on the reader, and you feel compelled to find out what happened next. And this is the sign of a good book. And if you have any interest in Japanese literature, or Heian culture, this book is a must-read, as so much relates to it.
This is one of the `classic' translations, and is quite easy to understand. I would recommend having `A Reader's Guide to The Tale of Genji' by William Puette on hand while reading if you want to fully appreciate all that is going on.
Many times it is the earliest efforts that are the best........2003-08-14
The Tale of Genji, or Genji monogatari, was written in the tenth century by Shikibu Murasaki. In it, there is a deep look at the culture and way of life of the highest classes in Heian-era Japan.
The tale itself is about the 'shining prince'; Genji. Son of the emperor and one of his lowest consorts, Genji is fated to be one of the most important men of the age, but never able to truly ascend to royalty. This story, all thousand plus pages of it, details his life full of music, poetry, and efforts to win the hand of various ladies.
While starting out very episodic, Genji soon turns into a more refined tale, when all the threads of story come together to create surprising relations and events that will delight the imagination in their color and depth. By the end of the book, you will have lived through so much of the characters lives that each person comes into their own, and you cannot help but hope that all will end well.
I will say, however, that this book is somewhat difficult to get into for the uninitiated. There's much in the way of allusion to religion of the day (be it Shinto or Buddhism), and of customs that are barely mentioned due to being so commonplace at the time. As such, I would suggest something to introduce people to the Heian culture.
My first and best suggestion would be The Tale of Murasaki, written by Liza Dalby. It's a diary of the author of Genji, Shikibu Murasaki, pieced together from poems and the real diary, and filled in with further guesses as to her life. Compared to Genji, it is very approachable, and makes reading this story even easier.
I cannot recommend Genji enough, being quite possibly the first novel in the world, and certainly one of the best. For anyone with an interest in Japanese history, well-written romance, or just the best of the written word, Genji is sure to delight.
Wonderful.......2003-01-20
I was hesitant to start reading "The Tale of Genji" because it seemed so long and ponderous and serious. It seemed like the kind of novel you read because you should, not because it's fun. That wasn't the case at all! The book is a little obscure, a little hard to read, but it keeps me up reading it at night. The world it evokes is distant, exotic, and poetic. I haven't read the other translations, but I will say that for me it wasn't hard to keep track of who was who, despite the lack of personal names, and I'm glad that this translation stuck close to the original in that respect.
bland.......2002-09-22
I know this book is like a thousand plus years old, so I'll hold my other comments aside. But I believe if you don't know anything about the Japanese language or culture and aren't interested in reading about a Man pursuing countless womans and how tos. I suggest reading something else.
It was troublesome to follow the book with the needed footnotes at the bottom. I know some parts are supposed to sound beautiful, but again, coming from a non-Japanese knowledge point of view it made no sense.
The book seemed historical, but I could Not get it because of you-know-why.
Customer Reviews:
helpful.......2002-01-09
This book was writen as a companion to two earlier translations. However it serves well to provide background and chapter summaries for the Royall Tyler translation which has just become available.
ESSENTIAL READING.......1999-07-09
A god-send "map" of sorts through the galaxy of characters and events in Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji." I only wish Puette had continued with detailed reviews after Chapter 9. Otherwise, an exellent guide to a wonderful, absorbing novel.
Book Description
A lushly illustrated edition of a world classic
The third in this series of illustrated Japanese classics, The Tale of Genji again combines Miyata's captivating paper cut-outs with a modern retelling of a vintage story. This well-known tale of the amorous adventures of Prince Genji is widely considered world literature's first novel, and with
its precise and poetic prose, it is also considered one of its finest.
Written with precision by a lady of the Japanese court, Genji's Don Juan-like clandestine rendezvous with lovers in their perfumed boudoirs or on mossy moonlit garden paths, continues to intrigue lovers of literature. What sets Genji apart from the typically carefree playboy is the intensity of his
emotional attachment for each of his lovers. Long after an affair has ended, Genji continues to cherish the encounter. His is an age-old tale, as well as a poignant and brilliant portrait of Japan's ancient court life.
Customer Reviews:
great story, beautiful illustrations, disapointing format.......2006-05-10
Its a great book with beautiful illustrations, stories. The stories written alongside in Kanji script makes the book even better. However, the illustrations split randomly across two pages, destroys the beauty of Miyata Masayuki's paper cuts outs. Wish the book will be reformatted in the future to accomodate the illustrations in full on one page.
Average customer rating:
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The Tale Of Genji
Yoshitaka Amano
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 1595820639 |
Book Description
Yoshitaka Amano has been praised around the world for his lush watercolors and evocative work dealing with myth and legend. In The Tale of Genji, Mr. Amano brings his considerable talent to retelling one of the most famous of Japanese myths. Written by Murasaki Shikibu shortly after 1000 AD and considered by most scholars to be the first novel ever written, The Tale of Genji is the story of the romantic adventures of Genji, the amazingly handsome prince and his many romantic conquests. Told through stunning paintings, Mr. Amano brings this classic story to life for a new generation.
Average customer rating:
- IT was a tremendous book/captivating/two thumbs up.
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Noh Drama and the Tale of Genji: The Art of Allusion in Fifteen Classical Plays (Princeton Library of Asian Translations)
Janet Goff
Manufacturer: Princeton Univ Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0691014760 |
Book Description
The Japanese noh theater has enjoyed a rich, continuous history dating back to the Muromachi period (1336-1573), when virtually the entire repertoire was written. Some of the finest plays were inspired by the eleventh-century masterpiece of court literature, The Tale of Genji. In this detailed study of fifteen noh plays based upon the Genji, Janet Goff looks at how the novel was understood and appreciated by Muromachi audiences. A work steeped in the court poetry, or waka, tradition, the Genji in turn provided a source of inspiration and allusion for later poets, who produced a variety of handbooks and digests on the work as an aid in composing poetry. Drawing on such sources from the Muromachi period, Goff shows how playwrights reflected contemporary attitudes toward the Genji, even as they transformed its material to suit the demands of the noh as a theatrical form. This book includes annotated translations of the plays, many of them appearing in English for the first time. The translations are preceded by essays covering the history of each play and its use of Genji material.
Customer Reviews:
IT was a tremendous book/captivating/two thumbs up........1999-02-02
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
Book Description
Unquestionably one of the world's greatest literary masterpieces and the finest achievement of classic Japanese prose narrative, The Tale of Genji, written by Murasaki Shikibu shortly after 1000 A.D., has provided endless inspiration for Japanese painters throughout the centuries. Widely held to be the first novel ever written, its story relates the amorous adventures of "the shining prince" Genji and the elaborate and highly ordered court culture of the Heian era. Presented here is one of the most exquisite, complete, and beautifully preserved series of paintings illustrating the tale, bringing to life the events of this classic work. The fifty-four images—illustrating one chapter each—date from the mid-seventeenth century and were executed by an artist trained in the traditional Tosa school of painting. Their small dimensions (they measure just over five inches square) and lyrical colors call to mind the illustrated manuscripts of medieval Europe. Roofs are entirely removed from houses to reveal small, doll-like figures within. Delicate flowers and plants suggest the seasons of the year. Surrounded by gilded clouds, these graceful paintings shimmer with uncommon beauty and delicacy. Murase's introduction examines the paintings in detail, providing insight into the uniqueness of this set in particular, exceptional for being one of the most pristine and complete surviving series of illustrations of The Tale of Genji. Commentaries on each of the images describe the scene depicted and summarize, in brief, the key events from the tale. 54 color illustrations, 8 black-and-white illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
The Tale of Genji Reviewed.......2007-06-27
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.
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