Cover Material: Paperback
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
Publish Date: 2018-04-03
Author: Shikibu, Murasaki
ISBN-13: 9784805314647
English
Pages: 224
Description :
The most famous work of Japanese literature and the world’s first novel–written a thousand years ago and one of the enduring classics of world literature.
Written centuries before the time of Shakespeare and even ChaucerThe Tale of Genji marks the birth of the novel–and after more than a millennium, this seminal work continues to enchant readers throughout the world.
Lady Murasaki Shikibu and her tale’s hero Prince Genjihave had an unmatched influence on Japanese culture. Prince Genji manifests what was to become an image of the ideal Heian era courtier; gentle and passionate. Genji is also a master poet dancer musician and painter. The Tale of Genji follows Prince Genji through his many loves and varied passions. This book has influenced not only generations of courtiers and samurai of the distant past but artists and painters even in modern times–episodes in the tale have been incorporated into the design of kimonos and handicrafts and the four-line poems called waka which dance throughout this work have earned it a place as a classic text in the study of poetry.
This version by Kencho Suematsu was the first-ever translation in English. Condensedit’s a quarter length of the unabridged text making it perfect for readers with limited time.
“Not speaking is the wiser part
And words are sometimes vain
But to completely close the heart
In silence gives me pain.”
–Prince Genjiin The Tale of Genji
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