The Tale Of Genji

By Murasaki Shikibu

Book Overview

The Tale of Genji is a classical Japanese novel written in the early 11th century. This work explores the intricacies of court life, personal desire, and the fleeting nature of human relationships through the experiences of its central figure, a nobleman known for his charm and refined sensibilities. The narrative captures the delicate balance between duty and passion, illustrating the beauty and sorrow that accompany love and ambition within the rigid constraints of aristocratic society. At the beginning of the novel, the emperor's favored consort gives birth to a son whose status is both elevated and precarious due to courtly jealousies. As he grows, his remarkable beauty and intelligence make him an object of admiration and scrutiny. His journey unfolds as he navigates personal and political entanglements, his pursuits of love intertwined with the cultural aesthetics of poetry, music, and nature. The story reflects on the impermanence of human emotions and relationships, setting the stage for an exploration of longing, loss, and the search for meaning within the transient world of the Heian court.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9371134178
• ISBN13: 9789371134170
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Double 9 Books
• Length: 198 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

The most elegant translation

The Tale of Genji boasts rights as the first novel ever written, but the road getting here has been rough. The novel is nearly a millenium old, and a translation usually has to go through two hands (the Japanese translator and the English) before we have the pleasure of reading. The first translation, by Arthur Waley, reads beautifully and still holds a place in many fans' hearts. It has also been liberally edited and sometimes loosely translated; one wonders how much of the original work remains. Two recent translations compete for top honors. The more recent one, by Royall Tyler, boasts helpful footnotes and background notes. It also takes great pains to render the novel in stylistic terms that are very close to the original. At the same time, it can be hard to follow at times, since many of Shikibu's authorial conventions have been preserved. Edward Siedensticker offers good accuracy, with prose that's elegant and precise. He really excels with the book's frequent poetry; his translations are the best in English. While his complete translation is true, he doesn't take Tyler's cares to translate Shikibu's stylistic quirks. His translation is, then, more immediately readable. But more footnotes wouldn't have been a hindrance. I admire Royal Tyler's achievement, but I enjoy Siedensticker's. Perhaps the best course of action is to read both (if you have the time). Otherwise, it may be a good idea to compare passages and see which you prefer. In either case, Siedensticker's poems are indispensible.

This translation VS the new translation (2001)

So far I much prefer the 1973 (?) translation by Seidenstucker (whatever!). I read the first 7 or so chapters alternately until I decided the aforementioned was easier to read. The new translation might be "truer" to the original and I love the footnotes but it's difficult to figure out who exactly is talking (S. incorporates the information in the footnotes in more recent translation into the body of the text) and S. is a far more graceful writer. If you should be seized by the inclination the read this book, I strongly recommend reading "The World of the Shining Prince" (Morris) first. The genealogical charts alone are invaluable to understanding "Genji".