「Murasaki Shikibu & The Tale of GENji」

Introduction

　　　Every year, NHK broadcasts various genres, including historical dramas, in its year-long Taiga Drama series. Starting from January 2024, the broadcast titled "To the Shining You" began, featuring Murasaki Shikibu, who wrote The Tale of Genji, as the main character. The Tale of Genji is often featured in university entrance exams, and many people study this story out of interest. Personally, I am also intrigued by the mid-Heian period surrounding the Emperor when this story was born, as well as the court life and aristocratic society. Therefore, inspired by this broadcast, I wanted to express my own perspective on the structure of this story, the personality of the author Murasaki Shikibu, her journey, and the emotions and aspirations that led her to write. Additionally, in presenting this, I referred to various books and documents about The Tale of Genji currently available.

Summary of The Tale of Genji

　　　The story begins with the famous line,
　　　　"In the capital of the time, among the ladies of the court, while many flitted about with little consequence, occasionally there was one whose abilities were exceptional..."
　　　　The orijinal→「いづれの御時にか（Izureno-on-tokinika）、女御（Nyōgo）、更衣（Kōi）あまたさぶらひたまいけるなかに（Amata-saburahi-tamaikeru-nakani）、いとやむごとなき際にはあらぬが（Itoyamugotonaki-kiwaniha-aranuga）、すぐれて時たまふありけり（Sugurete-tokitamafu-arikeri）。・・・」
　　　　This story, considered one of the oldest full-length novels written in the mid-Heian period, consists of 54 chapters. The author is the poet Murasaki Shikibu.

　　　Murasaki Shikibu Statue(Rosan-ji.Kyoto)　　　
　　　　The protagonist of the story is "Hikaru Genji," the son of the Emperor (Crown Prince), but due to his mother's low social status, he carries the fate of not being able to become Emperor. Such misfortune based on birth was not uncommon during this time when people were evaluated more by their status than their abilities. There were many who swallowed tears at every turn. The novel depicts the romantic relationships between Hikaru Genji, burdened with such a handicap, and many women, overcoming misfortune, rising in society, and eventually falling, in a three-part structure (though some argue for a two-part structure). As you may know, I'll provide a brief overview of the structure and the skillful expressions for reference.

■「Structure of the Story」

■「Diverse Characters and the Author's Skillful Expression」

① "The narrative avoids directness, employing a roundabout touch by effectively utilizing 795 waka poems to express the essence of romantic affairs."

② "Among the 400-plus characters, the strategy of introducing various types of women who are romantically involved with Hikaru Genji and enhancing the story with scenes full of both detestable and intimate details can be observed."

③ "The text is written in hiragana rather than kanji." These aspects reveal Murasaki Shikibu's deep thoughtfulness and exceptional skill in writing this novel.

About the Author,Murasaki Shikibu

①Birth and Residence

　　　　Murasaki Shikibu was born in the late 970s (there are various theories ranging from 970 to 978) as the second daughter of a middle-ranking aristocrat at the location of Rozan-ji Temple (currently located in Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto).

Murasaki Shikibu's Residence site(Rozan-ji Temple)

　　　Her father was the Confucian scholar Fujiwara no Tametoki, and her mother passed away early. The place of her birth was a mansion built about 100 years earlier by her great-grandfather, the middle counselor Fujiwara no Kanesuke, and later inherited by her father, Tametoki. It was a spacious mansion located along the Kamo-gawa River, close to the Imperial Palace, with a garden of white sand and moss (known as "Genji's Garden") where purple bellflowers bloomed from June to early September. Murasaki Shikibu spent much of her time in this mansion.

　　Murasaki Shikibu love "Genji's Garden"

　　　　　　　　　　　Bellflower

　　　She accompanied her father, who served as the Governor of Echizen, to Fukui for a while, but returned to Kyoto from Fukui after three years. In her late twenties, she married Fujiwara no Nobutaka, who was 20 years older than her, and gave birth to a daughter, Kenko (who later achieved success and was called "Daini-no-Sanmi").

　　 Tranquil Atmosphere of "Genji-Garden"

②Murasaki shikibu as a Writer and Poet and the Background of the Era and Her Struggles

　▽Murasaki Shikibu's Talent

　　　Murasaki Shikibu's literary talent was evident from a young age. While her father, a Confucian scholar, struggled to teach her brothers classical Chinese, Murasaki Shikibu quickly grasped understanding of the language. Later, she broadened her literary knowledge by reading various works such as anthologies of poetry and historical books.

　　　　　　　 Painting of Murasaki Shikibu

　　　As she grew older, she expanded her knowledge and experience through interactions with a wide range of people and witnessing various aspects of life, nature, and regional characteristics firsthand.

　▽Background of the Era

　　　Meanwhile, the aristocratic society at the time was characterized by a strict class system and stark differences based on social status. Polygamy was the norm, leading to a mixed bag of emotions and experiences for women.

　▽Struggles to Obtain Japanese Paper and ink

　　　Furthermore, during this era, obtaining Japanese paper and ink was challenging for lower-ranking aristocrats, despite being easier for the nobility. Japanese paper and ink were considered valuable commodities. Therefore, it is believed that writers and poets, including Murasaki Shikibu, struggled to obtain Japanese paper. It is said that they went to great lengths, using various means to acquire Japanese paper, sometimes resorting to tactics to get closer to nobility to obtain it. It is evident that Murasaki Shikibu had to overcome such obstacles in her writing.

③Motivation for Writing The Tale of Genji

　▽Death of Husband

　　　After the sudden death of her husband, Fujiwara no Nobutaka, Murasaki Shikibu, who was left to raise their daughter Kenko on her own, began writing The Tale of Genji, perhaps to distract herself from the grief of his passing. This occurred in the year 1001 (Chōho 3).

　▽Supportive Group Recognizing Literary Talent

　　　The Tale of Genji, which Murasaki Shikibu began writing, often became the topic of conversation among the women in the palace, attracting the attention of those who recognized her literary talent. One such person was the powerful nobleman of the time, the Chancellor Fujiwara no Michinaga. During this period, it was said that Murasaki Shikibu had difficulty obtaining Japanese paper, and The Tale of Genji was written when she had access to it. With Fujiwara no Michinaga as her supporter and sponsor, Japanese paper became more readily available, and her writing progressed significantly.

　▽Service at Imperial Court,Enriching Both Experience and Story

　　　Around 1006 (Kankō 2), five years after she began writing the story, at the behest of Fujiwara no Michinaga, Murasaki Shikibu began serving as a lady-in-waiting and tutor to the daughter of Michinaga and the Empress of Emperor Ichijyo at the time, Shōshi.
While working in a prominent position was not her strong suit, she accumulated a wealth of knowledge through various experiences at the court. The abundant availability of Japanese paper also facilitated her writing process, allowing her to make considerable progress with her pen.

　▽Visits to Temples for Refreshment and Gathering Story Ideas

　　◎Ishiyama-tera Temple(Otsu-City)

　　　　Murasaki Shikibu visited Ishiyama-tera Temple (currently located in Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture), which was built using rocky terrain.

　　　　　　　Ishiyama-tera Temple

　　　At the time, it was customary to visit temples when one had wishes or concerns, and Ishiyama-tera Temple was frequented by many. In August of 1004 (Kankō 1), Murasaki Shikibu visited Ishiyama-tera Temple and stayed in a room in the main hall for a week. 。

　　　　Main holl of Ishiyama-tera Temple

　　　　She was deeply moved by the moon reflected on Lake Biwa during the night of the full moon. The scene of the moon she saw at Ishiyama-tera Temple is thought to have been reflected in a passage of Chapter 12, "Suma," which begins with "On such a night, lit by the full moon...," suggesting that she recalled the moon scene she witnessed at Ishiyama-tera Temple and incorporated it into a passage of The Tale of Genji.

　 Moon Viewing Stand（Ishiyama-teraTemple）

　　　　The room where Murasaki Shikibu stayed is called the "Genji Room," and many fans of Murasaki Shikibu visit it to this day.

　　　　 "Genji Room"（Ishiyama-tera Temple)

　　◎Uji River(Uji City)

　　　　Although there is no record of Murasaki Shikibu actually visiting Uji, the fact that the "Ten Chapters at Uji" from "The Lady of the Bridge" to "The Floating Bridge of Dreams" are set in Uji suggests that the mist rising from the Uji River was an essential setting for the story. .

　　　　　　　Uji River and Murasaki Shikibu

　　　　Therefore, it is speculated that Murasaki Shikibu visited Uji at some point and gazed at the mist rising from the river.Numerous Murasaki Shikibu monuments have been erected along the banks of the Uji River in Uji City.

Monument to The Tale of Genji(Yume-no-Ukihashi)

　 　　　　Statue of The Tale of Genji

　　　　Many people who trace the footsteps of the female writer Murasaki Shikibu visit there every year, spanning over 1000 years of history.

　Signboard about "The Tale of Genji and Uji"

④Completion of the Tale of Gebji after Neary 10 Years

　　　　 It is said that The Tale of Genji was completed around 1010 (though there are various theories) after about ten years of writing. From a young age, Murasaki Shikibu studied classical Chinese and read extensively, gaining various knowledge and experiences.

　　　　　　　　　　Murasaki Shikibu

　　　　Additionally, her marriage experience, the appearance of influential supporters who highly valued her literary talent, her various experiences at the court, the social hierarchy of aristocratic society, and her travels to different regions provided her with a wide range of knowledge. It was a long novel that she continued to write while appealing to her own desires and struggles in society at the time.

⑤After Completing the Story...

　 　　After completing the epic work, Murasaki Shikibu continued to serve at the court, first under Empress Shōshi and later under Empress Syoushi, even after the death of Emperor Ichijō. However, she eventually passed her duties on to her daughter, Kenko, who served as her replacement when Empress Syōshi became the Queen Mother.

　
　　◎Writing "The Murasaki Shikibu Diary"during Service at the Court

　　During her service at the court, from 1008 (Kankō 5) to 1010 (Kankō 7), Murasaki Shikibu completed "The Murasaki Shikibu Diary." The first half primarily records the birth of Empress Shōshi's child and the celebrations afterward, while the latter half details Murasaki Shikibu's personal thoughts about the people she worked with at the court.

⑥Life After Leaving the Court After completing...

　　　　The Tale of Genji and The Murasaki Shikibu Diary, showcasing her literary talent and captivating readers, Murasaki Shikibu spent her later years at the Unrin-in Byakugo-in (a temple located in Kitaku, Kyoto), where her grave is currently located. The year of her death ranges from 1014 (Chōwa 3) to 1031 (Chōgen 4), depending on various researchers' interpretations.

　　◎The Mistery of the Adjacent Grae to Murasaki Shikibu's Tomb！

　　　　 Adjacent to Murasaki Shikibu's tomb, another grave is located.

　　　　　Entrance to the Tomb of the Two

　　　　This grave belongs to Ono no Takamura, a bureaucrat and poet known from the early Heian period who served Emperor Saga. There is speculation about why the two graves are adjacent since their time periods differ.

Murasaki Shikibu(left saide)、Takamura(right side)

　　　　Legend has it that when it was rumored that Murasaki Shikibu would fall into hell because The Tale of Genji revealed the love affairs of the court, and society was outraged, Ono no Takamura moved his grave next to hers to save her.

　　　　　　The Tomb of Murasaki Shikibu

　　　Another legend suggests that Ono no Takamura asked King Enma to save Murasaki Shikibu, and in return, he moved her grave next to his. The truth remains a mystery, and it is a topic of conversation among those who visit the site where Murasaki Shikibu rests.

 

Murasaki Shikibu and Her daughter,Kenko(Daini no Sanmi)

　　　Murasaki Shikibu gave birth to her daughter Kenko around 999 (Chōho 1) and, after her husband's death three years later, raised Kenko single-handedly while writing The Tale of Genji and working at the court. It is speculated that Kenko, who grew up watching her mother, inherited her mother's talent as a poet. Kenko also served in the court like her mother, becoming a wet nurse to Emperor Go-Reizei in 1025 (Manju 2) and later being promoted to the rank of “Daini no Sanmi” upon Emperor Go-Reizei's accession to the throne.

　　Monument of Murasakishikibu & Kenko

　　　It is believed that Kenko continued to grow under her mother's love and education, leading a fulfilling life. The poems composed by this mother and daughter, known as poets, are consecutively selected inTthe Hyakunin Isshu anthology.
　The Hyakunin Isshu anthology... is a classical Japanese anthology of one hundred Japanese "Waka" by one hundred poets.　

▽Murasaki Shikibu (Verse 57）

　　Poem-monument of Murasakishikibu

"I thought I finally met you after a long time, But before I could recognize it was you, You hurriedly left.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　It's like the midnight moon disappearing behind the clouds!"

 　　　　The original poem →”めぐり逢いて　見しやそれともわかぬ間に

　　　　　　雲隠れにし　夜半の月かな”

▽Daini no Sanmi（Verse 58）

　　Poem-monument of Daini no Sanmi

"When the wind blows through the bamboo grass fields of Ina near Mount Arima, it sways with a gentle rustling sound.
　　　　However, just like the swaying of those grasses, my heart remains steadfast and will never forget you!" (Forget you? That could never happen!)　　

　　　　　 The original poem → ”有馬山　猪名（いな）の笹原（ささはら）　風吹けば

　　いでそよひとを　忘れやはする”