SS Japan project Murasaki Shikibu

First novel in the world, Tale of genji and its author

Murasaki Shikibu, who born 978 in Kyōto in Medieval Japan,the famous Japanese writer, who was the author of the Genji monogatari(the tale of genji), generally considered the greatest work of Japanese literature. The tale of genji wrote at the start of the 11th century. The tale of genji is also generally considered the world’s first novel. This work is the main source of knowledge about her life. It possesses considerable interest for the delightful glimpses it affords of life at the court of the empress Jōtō mon’in, whom Murasaki Shikibu served. About 1013, Shikibu leave the palace with no returns. Later, Shikibu have no news or message. In the later Japan, Murasaki Shikibu, Izumi Shikibu and Sei Shonagonthey  are known as the three talented women of the Heian period.

(Picture from internet)

Shirane, Haruo. Traditional Japanese Literature: An Anthology, Beginnings to 1600. Columbia University Press, 2012.

Cartwright, Mark. “Tale of Genji.” World History Encyclopedia, World History Encyclopedia, 24 Mar. 2022, https://www.worldhistory.org/Tale_of_Genji/#:~:text=The%20%27Tale%20of%20Genji%27%20covers%20the%20lifetime%20of,but%20not%20in%20direct%20line%20to%20the%20throne.