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The most famous work of Japanese literature and the world's first novel—written a thousand years ago and one of the enduring classics of world literature.
Written centuries before the time of Shakespeare and even Chaucer, The Tale of Genji marks the birth of the novel—and after more than a millennium, this seminal work continues to enchant readers throughout the world. Lady Murasaki Shikibu and her tale's hero, Prince Genji, have had an unmatched influence on Japanese culture. Prince Genji manifests what was to become an image of the ideal Heian era courtier; gentle and passionate. Genji is also a master poet, dancer, musician and painter. The Tale of Genji follows Prince Genji through his many loves, and varied passions. This book has influenced not only generations of courtiers and samurai of the distant past, but artists and painters even in modern times—episodes in the tale have been incorporated into the design of kimonos and handicrafts, and the four-line poems called waka which dance throughout this work have earned it a place as a classic text in the study of poetry.
This version by Kencho Suematsu was the first-ever translation in English. Condensed, it's a quarter length of the unabridged text, making it perfect for readers with limited time.
"Not speaking is the wiser part,
And words are sometimes vain,
But to completely close the heart
In silence, gives me pain.
—Prince Genji, in The Tale of Genji
About the Author: Lady Murasaki Shikibu, born in 978, was a member of the famed Fujiwara clan-one of the most influential families of the Heian period. After the death of her husband, Shikibu immersed herself in Buddhism, and the religion's influence permeates her writing.
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Previews available in: English Chinese Russian Japanese
Subjects
Classic Literature, Concordances, Fiction, Illustrations, Japanese fiction, Literature, Social life and customs, Princes, Aristocracy (Social class), Manners and customs, Aristocracy (Political science), Man-woman relationships, Translations into English, Japanese literature, LITERATURA JAPONESA, Near and far eastern fiction (fictional works by one author), Japan, fiction, Fiction, general, Fiction, history and criticism, Fiction, historical, Fiction, historical, general, LITERARY CRITICISM, Asian, Japanese, Medieval, General, Romance, Court and courtiers, Courts and courtiers, Japan -- FictionPlaces
JapanTimes
Heian period, 794-1185, To 1600Edition | Availability |
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Tale of Genji (Tuttle Classics)
November 30, 2006, Tuttle Publishing
Paperback
in English
0804838232 9780804838238
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Yuan shi wu yu tu dian
2005, Shanghai san lian shu dian
in Chinese
- Di 1 ban
7542620851 9787542620859
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009
The tale of genji
2003, Penguin Books, Viking Adult, Penguin Classics
in English
0670030201 9780670030200
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The Tale of Genji: Scenes from the Worlds First Novel (Illustrated Japanese Classics)
January 22, 2002, Kodansha International
Paperback
in English
4770027729 9784770027726
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012
The Tale of Genji: (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)
November 26, 2002, Penguin Classics
in English
014243714X 9780142437148
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Genji di kahani: Japani sahita da mahana nawala
2001, Sahita Akademi
in Punjabi
8126013028 9788126013029
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The Tale of Genji (Penguin Classics)
October 11, 2001, Viking Adult
Hardcover
in English
- New Ed edition
0670030201 9780670030200
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015
Yosano Akiko no shinyaku Genji monogatari
2001, Kadokawa Shoten
in Japanese
404873329X 9784048733298
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016
Yuan shi wu yu
2000, Hong fan shu dian you xian gong si, HongFan
in Chinese
- Chu ban
9576742005 9789576742002
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017
The Tale of Genji (Tuttle Classics)
November 2000, Tuttle Publishing
Paperback
in English
- [Paperback ed.] edition
0804832560 9780804832564
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The tale of Genji
1993, Modern Library, Brand: Modern Library
in English
- 1993 Modern Library ed.
0679424679 9780679424673
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The Tale of Genji (Everyman's Library Classics)
December 17, 1992, Everyman's Library
Hardcover
- New Ed edition
1857151089 9781857151084
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Povestʹ o Gėndzi =: Gėndzi monogatari : v 4-kh knigakh
1991, "Nauka," Glav. red. vostochnoĭ lit-ry
in Russian
5020168750 9785020168756
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Shinsen Genji monogatari gojūyonjō
1985, Izumi Shoin
in Japanese
- Shohan
4870881543 9784870881549
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Genji monogatari
1983, Shōgakkan, Shōwa 58-<61 > [1983-<1985-86 >]
in Japanese
4095560142 9784095560144
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Le Dit du Genji
1978, Publications orientalistes de France
in French
- 2. éd.
2716900981 9782716900980
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The tale of Genji: a novel in six parts
1973, Allen and Unwin, Brand: Allen n Unwin
in English
0048231096 9780048231093
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The Tale of Genji (Mandala Books)
December 1967, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Paperback
in English
004823012X 9780048230126
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073
The Tale of Genji (Mandala Books)
December 1967, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
in English
004823012X 9780048230126
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The sacred tree: being the second part of "The tale of Genji"
1926, G. Allen & Unwin ltd.
in English
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Tamakazura ; Hatsune (Eiin kochu koten sosho)
Publish date unknown, Shintensha
Unknown Binding
in Japanese
- Shohan edition
4787902334 9784787902337
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Genji monogatari: the romance of Genji
Publish date unknown, San Kaku Sha
in English
- Reprinted ed.
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Hashihime ; Shiigamoto (Eiin kochu koten sosho)
Publish date unknown, Shintensha
Unknown Binding
in Japanese
- Shohan edition
4787902369 9784787902368
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