Illustration of the Tale of Genji
The Tale of Genji is a masterpiece of Japanese literature. Completed in the early 11th century, Purple's elegant and captivating prose spans 54 chapters, has about 400 characters, and contains nearly 800 independent poems.
Purple Shibu transforms her court life experiences into intricate narratives that blend fiction, history, and poetry. This mix of forms goes against the simple classification of either type, although the compelling inner lives of its characters have led many to refer to it as a psychological novel with prose that feels particularly modern.
Considering this passage, a remorseful Genji seeks redemption from his late father for his misdeeds toward him:
Before coming to the grave, Genji almost thought he could see his father. Once a person is gone, power and status are nothing. He cried and told his story silently, but got no answer and did not judge it. (Chapter XII)
This perfectly captures the infinite tragedy of losing a loved one, and the abyss of guilt that this unresolved conflict inevitably brings us. These words are as poignant today as they were 1,000 years ago.
Portrait of Purple Shibu, author of The Tale of Genji.
The author lived in the imperial court of Heian (794-1185), located in modern Kyoto. Courtiers were usually referred to only by rank, while women were usually referred only to husbands, sons, or fathers. Because of this custom, her real name is unknown.
Her father, Fujiwara, was a scholar of classical Chinese literature at the time. Although Chinese was a masculine genre of writing, he developed his daughter's keen interest and special talents for Chinese, as well as more traditional Japanese female writing styles such as waka, prose, diaries, and letters.
Scandal in court
The Tale of Genji provides a vivid depiction of aristocratic life in Heian Japan, centering on the deeds of the nobility and political games. Nominally "shining" Genji was handsome, with a silky smooth charm and a succession of musical, literary, and scholarly techniques, "I fear that telling all his virtues would arouse suspicion that I was distorting the truth" (chapter 1).
Throughout the story, however, he is revealed as a mysterious but ultimately flawed hero. Promoted to honorary abdication of the throne (although never really reigning), Genji's success story is a multi-generational saga of passion, deception, jealousy, fierce competition, and intimacy.
However, potential readers should be warned in advance. Genji kidnapped and raised a ten-year-old child daughter-in-law, and then had a secret son with his stepmother, while insisting on pursuing too many women in various extramarital affairs.
In later life, it may be difficult to consider Genji's actions as pathetic; however, by the standard of peace, Genji is hailed as a respectable hero. Controversial topics, including rape, have been condemned by contemporary reading. But the text allows and even encourages many different ways of reading (e.g. in feminist and imitative ways), which poses a challenge for both contemporary readers and translators.
The cherry blossom festival in Japan is an example of the "single unconscious", reflecting the tragic fleeting beauty of beauty.
The temptation to travel through time and space
The Tale of Genji is immersed in exquisite natural imagery and is filled with short-song poems. The depiction of autumn leaves, the wailing of insects or the subtleties of the moonlight all elevate the complex and subtle emotions of the elegant characters of the Purple Style, as they traverse the difficult scenes of love, sex, and court politics. This poetic language played a very important role in the communication and ceremonies of the Heian courtier society.
When discussing the Tale of Genji, the term "monogatari" is often used. This somewhat difficult-to-translate phrase depicts the beautiful and tragic fleeting of life. It has a deep connection with Buddhist philosophy, emphasizing the impermanence of things.
Japan's celebration of cherry blossoms falling is a good example of mourning.
As a balance to such a beautiful image, Genji also explores elements of darkness and division. In addition to familiality, polygamy, and the gendering of children, it contains several key scenarios of women undergoing séance possession. These scenes depict women acting in strange and unpredictable ways and show that possession actually causes women to get sick and die.
These examples are just one experience of the vast themes and rich text that The Tale of Genji offers the reader. Adaptation, imitation and memory. Genji is still alive.