It is sometimes said that Murasaki Shikibu’s Genji Dit is the first modern novel ever written: a fictional story taking place in the real world, with a sequence of events focused on the psychological development of the main character. Written in Japan in the 11th century by Murasaki Shikibu, an influential lady of honor of the court, the Genji’s Dit is one of the greatest classics of Japanese literature, which gives an amazing insight into Japanese high society in a period of radical change.
Murasaki shinbu
During the Heian period (VIII-XII centuries C.E.), Japan became increasingly independent and isolated from China, distinguished by language, customs and writing. Murasaki grew up at that time, born into an aristocratic family and thus took advantage of the classical Chinese classes given to his brother as usual. She later combined all these influences into her own literary work, making the Genji’s Dit a remarkable testimony to Chinese and Japanese literary history. Genji’s story was written in Kana, a Japanese writing derived from Chinese. Part of Japan’s individualization from China was manifested in the development of its own writing in the second half of the ninth century. The fact that Murasaki’s work was written in this writing made it one of the oldest and most appreciated pieces of Japanese literature. Murasaki got his name, confusedly, probably in reference to the main female character of his own novel. Murasaki Shikibu was not his first name, but the name used to describe it in the archives and newspapers of the imperial court that were transmitted to us.
The Genji word
The novel describes the life of Genji, the son of a Japanese emperor, who is removed from the line of succession and instead pursues a career as an imperial officer. The book focuses on Genji’s romantic exploits with several women, as well as life and costumes at Heian’s court. Murasaki is inspired by his own experience as a lady of honour of Japanese Empress Shōshi. Women lived isolated from men in the Japanese court, mainly writing newspapers, poetry, and discussing literature in court rooms. Even before the completion of the Genji Dit, Murasaki became famous for his excellence in poetry and writing. It is known that the novel was published in several volumes over a period of several years. Murasaki reportedly distributed handwritten copies of his chapters to friends, who in turn copied them and transmitted them to others. Murasaki’s book was a flagship product throughout Japan, many looking for new chapters to read the rest of the story. The novel was probably completed around 1021. Emperor Ichijō read the novel, a rare event since the book was written in Japanese, where it was customary that male courtiers only use the Chinese language. As the Genji Dit was copied several times and disseminated in all the provinces of Japan, Murasaki became a literary legend during his life and after his death. Murasaki’s work became a compulsory reading for all poets in the court from the twelfth century. The emotion and sensitivity manifested in his writings have made his works exemplary in Confucian philosophy. Murasaki herself, as well as Genji and other characters from her books have become popular subjects in Japanese art. Scenes from the book were often represented in wood engravings and other works of art ukiyo-e. Murasaki’s influence is still felt to date, as a writer of genius and courtesan who challenged the norm of how women were considered at that time.
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