Books / japan-s-murasaki-shikibu-and-the-tale-of-genji
Facts about Murasaki Shikibu and The Tale of Genji
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Arthur Waley's English translation of The Tale of Genji, published between 1925 and 1933, introduced Murasaki Shikibu's work to Western readers.
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Comprising 54 chapters, The Tale of Genji features over 400 characters and is celebrated for its sophisticated psychological depth.
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The Tale of Genji follows the romantic and political life of Hikaru Genji, the son of a Japanese emperor born of a low-ranking concubine.
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Murasaki Shikibu was a lady-in-waiting at the Japanese imperial court during the Heian period, and her diary survives as a valuable historical document.
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Written in early 11th-century Japan, The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu is widely regarded as the world's first novel.