The Tale of Genji: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

Front Cover
Penguin, 26. nov 2002 - 1216 pages
The world’s first novel, in a translation that is “likely to be the definitive edition . . . for many years to come” (The Wall Street Journal)

A Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, with flaps and deckle-edged paper

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.

From inside the book

Contents

The Paulownia Pavilion Kiritsubo
1
The Broom Tree Hahakigi
19
The Cicada Shell Utsusemi
45
The Twilight Beauty Yugao
53
Young Murasaki Wakamurasaki
81
The Safflower Suetsumuhana
111
Beneath the Autumn Leaves Momiji no Ga
133
Under the Cherry Blossoms Hana no En
153
New Wisteria Leaves Fuji no Uraba
559
Spring Shoots I Wakana 1
575
Spring Shoots II Wakana 2
625
The Oak Tree Kashiwagi
673
The Flute Yokobue
695
The Bell Cricket Suzumushi
707
Evening Mist Yûgiri
717
The Law Minori
753

HearttoHeart Aoi
163
The Green Branch Sakaki
191
Falling Flowers Hanachirusato
221
Suma Suma
227
Akashi Akashi
255
The Pilgrimage to Sumiyoshi Miotsukushi
279
A Waste of Weeds Yomogiu
299
At the Pass Sekiya
313
The Picture Contest Eawase
319
Wind in the Pines Matsukaze
331
Wisps of Cloud Usugumo
345
The Bluebell Asagao
363
The Maidens Otome
377
The Tendril Wreath Tamakazura
405
The Warblers First Song Hatsune
429
Butterflies Kochô
439
The Fireflies Hotaru
453
The Pink Tokonatsu
465
The Cressets Kagaribi
479
The Typhoon Nowaki
485
The Imperial Progress Miyuki
497
Thoroughwort Flowers Fujibakama
513
The Handsome Pillar Makibashira
523
The Plum Tree Branch Umegae
545
The Seer Maboroshi
765
Vanished into the Clouds Kumogakure
781
The Perfumed Prince Niou Miya
783
Red Plum Blossoms Kôbai
793
Bamboo River Takekawa
803
The Maiden of the Bridge Hashihime
827
Beneath the Oak Shiigamoto
847
Trefoil Knots Agemaki
869
Bracken Shoots Sawarabi
915
The Ivy Yadorigi
927
The Eastern Cottage Azumaya
973
A Drifting Boat Ukifune
1007
The Mayfly Kagerô
1045
Writing Practice Tenarai
1075
The Floating Bridge of Dreams Yume no ukihashi
1111
Chronology
1125
General Glossary
1134
Clothing and Color
1154
Offices and Titles
1159
Summary of Poetic Allusions Identified in the Notes
1169
Characters in The Tale of Genji
1173
Further Reading
1181
Copyright

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Common terms and phrases

About the author (2002)

Murasaki Shikibu, born in 978, was a member of Japan's Fujiwara clan, which ruled behind the scenes during the Heian Period by providing the brides and courtesans of all the emperors. Lady Murasaki's rare literary talent, particularly her skill as a poet, secured her a place in the court of Empress Akiko. After the death of her husband, she cloistered herself to study Buddhism, raise her daughter, and write the world's first novel, Genji monogatari, the tale of the shining Prince Genji.

Royall Tyler (translator), an American, is retired from the Australian National University, where he taught Japanese language and literature for many years. He has a B.A. from Harvard University and a Ph.D from Columbia University and has taught at Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Wisconsin. He has also translated The Tale of the Heiki and Japanese Noh Dramas for Penguin Classics. 

Bibliographic information