Easy to understand Murasaki Shikibu and the Tale of Genji through illustrations

The Tale of Genji, said to be the world's oldest full-length novel, depicts the love affairs between the protagonist, Hikaru Genji, and the women he meets in the imperial court of the Heian period. It is a classic of Japanese literature that remains beloved to this day. However, due to its length of 54 chapters, it is also known to be extremely difficult to read from start to finish. This book is an introductory guide to the Tale of Genji that provides an easy-to-understand summary of the epic novel, as well as a wealth of illustrations and maps that explain the person and life of its author, Murasaki Shikibu.

(Book Structure) Part 1: Murasaki Shikibu and Her Era A Bird's-Eye View of Murasaki Shikibu's Era (c. 970-1019) [Key Words for Understanding the Heian Period] Fujiwara Clan / Sekkan Politics / Harem Salons / Kokufu Culture / Latter Days of the Law and Pure Land Buddhism [Chapter 1] Harem Life in the Heian Period [Harem] The Seven Palaces and Five Halls, the Source of Heian Culture / [People of the Harem] The Empresses and Ladies-in-Waiting Living in the Seven Palaces and Five Halls / [Harem Work] The Duties of the Ladies-in-Waiting Servants of the Empress / [Annual Events] Their Relationship with Annual Imperial Court Events / [Harem Amusements] Entertainment for Heian Aristocrats and the Matching Clothes Popular in the Harem / [Love and Marriage of Heian Women] The Surprisingly Uninhibited Women of the Harem

[Chapter 2] The Life of Murasaki Shikibu Born into a family of scholars, she grew into a woman with a profound knowledge of Chinese classics. / Married her cousin, about 20 years her senior. / Transformed her experiences into a major novel after her husband's death. / Received acclaim for The Tale of Genji, she was invited to serve by Fujiwara no Michinaga and others. / Her literary talent led to her being appointed recorder of Fujiwara no Shoshi's first birth. / After the birth of the prince (later Emperor Ichijo), the Tsuchimikado Palace was visited by a succession of birth celebrations. / At Shoshi's suggestion, a luxurious edition of The Tale of Genji was produced. / Murasaki Shikibu pours out her heartfelt thoughts about the complex human relationships within the harem. / Murasaki Shikibu's Diary, which contains criticisms of her colleagues and harsh words for the noblewomen. / Murasaki Shikibu's poetic talent, as seen through her stories and collections. Talent in the Tale of Genji / His last known appearance was in 1013

Part 2: Essential Readings from The Tale of Genji [Chapter 3] Hikaru Genji's Youth - A Nobleman on a Journey of Love [The Birth of Hikaru Genji] Born to Kiritsubo no Koi, the Emperor's Favourite / [A Woman of Modest Rank] After a series of romantic relationships with fallen women, he meets his beloved, Wakamurasaki, in Kitayama / [Forbidden Love] A dreamlike rendezvous with his stepmother, Fujitsubo, but the price is a betrayal of the Emperor / [Marriage to Murasaki no Ue] The death of his wife, Aoi no Ue, and his marriage to Murasaki no Ue (Wakamurasaki) / [The Road to Ruin] The discovery of his forbidden love... Hikaru Genji's fate takes a dark turn due to the machinations of Empress Kōkiden / [The Road to Glory] ] Guided by a prophecy in a dream, Hikaru Genji meets a woman who changes his destiny in Akashi.

[Chapter 4] The Peak of Glory - Hikaru Genji Reaches the Pinnacle of Rank and Subject [Hikaru Genji's Education] Hikaru Genji's unique parenting techniques, considering the future of his son, Aoi no Ue, Yugiri. / [Rokujo-in] After regaining his power, Hikaru Genji builds a royal mansion, where he can place women according to the seasons. / [Tamakazura] The battle for Tamakazura involves even Hikaru Genji. / [The Peak of Glory] Hikaru Genji is granted a rank equivalent to that of a retired emperor. / [The Marriage of the Third Princess] Hikaru Genji turns 40, and the marriage of the Third Princess, daughter of Emperor Suzaku, brings turmoil. / [The Birth of Kaoru] The Third Princess gives birth to Kaoru, the son of the Minister of the Interior, Kashiwagi. Kashiwagi's affair is discovered, and he falls ill. Yugiri, who visits him, becomes obsessed with his late friend's wife, Ochibamiya. [The Death of Murasaki] After the death of his beloved, Hikaru Genji loses hope in life and spends his final year in the world.

[Chapter 5] The Uji Chapters - The World After Hikaru Genji's Death [Kaoru] In a tranquil world after Genji's death, Kaoru, his illegitimate child, deepens his relationship with Tamakazura. [Kaoru's Love] Hikaru Genji's half-brother, the Eighth Prince, has an unrequited love for Okimi, the sister of two princesses. [Ukifune] Kaoru asks Ukifune, the daughter of the Eighth Prince and the Okimi's half-sister, to become his "doll." [The End of Love] The rivalry with Nioumiya, the son of the current emperor, brings an end to Kaoru and Ukifune's love.

[Supervisor] Masahiko Takeuchi Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1963. Graduated from Kokugakuin University Graduate School with a Ph.D. degree. PhD in Literature. After serving as a lecturer and associate professor in the Faculty of Literature at Gunma Prefectural Women's University and a professor in the Faculty of Literature at Ferris University, he is currently a professor in the Department of Japanese Literature at Kokugakuin University's Faculty of Literature. He specializes in Heian period literature, with a focus on The Tale of Genji. His books include The Manifestation of the Tale of Genji (Musashino Shoin), A Historical Study of the Origin of The Tale of Genji: The Horizon of the Akashi Clan Tale (Shintensha), A 2-Hour Review of The Tale of Genji (Daiwa Bunko) (Yamato Shobo), Illustrated: A Fascinating Guide to the Tale of Genji with Plot Synopsis and Maps (Seishun Shinsho Intelligence) (Seishun Shuppansha, supervisor), and The Tale of Genji Encyclopedia (Yamato Shobo, co-editor).