At the beginning of the 11th century, the Aristocrat Hikaru Genji ( 
) ruled in Heian ( 
), which is today's Kyoto ( 
), and with his descendent, the Genji family ruled for several hundreds of years. The palace Phoenix Hall (AD 1053) is in the
Byodo-in ( 
), Kyoto .
Byodo-in Garden, Kyoto
The author is a noble woman named Murasaki Shikibu ( 
). The Tale of Genji has 54 chapters, focusing on the romantic relationships and emotions of Genji's and of his descendents. This story describes, through the eyes of a feminine writer, the private life of a 11th century-heir and aristocrats, and the lives of the noble women, who mostly lived their lives behind curtains of dimly lighted mansion, waiting for romantic adventures.
The story was originally illustrated in the form of handscrolls, of height of 21.9cm, with text sections and scroll paintings (emaki). The whole set of handscroll had been owned by Kyoto aristocrats for many generations until the civil war in the 15th and 16th centuries. Afterward, the handscolls were divided among the hands of shogun (warlords).
Example of a Handscroll
Most of the remaining extended sections of the illustrated The Tale of Genji are preserved in the Tokugawa Art Museum ( 
) in Nagoya ( 
). Tokugawa was a family of Sh
gun (warlord).
Brief Story Outline:
Genji was a son of an Emperor, but his mother, Kiritsubo ( 
), lost out in the palace, and Genji could not be in a position to succeed. In an attempt to save Genji, the Emperor created a new family name Genji and kicked him out of the palace.
Chapter 5 - "Lavender"
Where Genji was talking to a monk about something, and also where Genji met Murasaki (also known as Murasaki-No-Ue 
= lavendar) who had later become his favorite wife.
Chapter 6 to 14 - Missing
Chapter 15 - "The Wormwood Patch"
In a rainy evening, Genji went out to the old villa he used to live in, and recall his last visit 10 years ago. He could not resist sending his trusted retainer, Koremitsu, to enquire the Safflower Lady ( Sue-Tsumu-Hana 
), who was an attendant in his old villa Genji liked. He felt sorrow that she had already sought protection from another man.
Chapter 16 - "The Gatehouse"
Genji met his former love, The Lady of The Locust Shell ( Hana-Chiru-Sato 
), at the "gatehoue" southeast of the Heian capital. She was now a wife of a governor, returning from a trip of duty. Both Genji and The Lady of The Locust Shell saw each other and were sad, remembering the good times that they had and now everything's too late. They exchanged poems. The section ended with the poem of The Lady of The Locust Shell, "Flowing as I went; flowing as I return. My tears are like the steady crystal spring at the berry arise (Not Sure!)."
Note: the papers of the text sections of the handscroll were decorated in ways that suit the mood of each particular scene of the passage.
Chapter 18 to 35 - Missing
Chapter 36 - "The Oak Tree"
Kashiwagi ( 
= Oak Tree) was the younger son of Genji's brother-in-law. Genji was trying to keep the secret of the illegitimate son of Kashiwagi and his 3rd princess ( Onna-San-Nomiya 
). Genji's anger at this affair is overwhelmed by the realization that one of the women Genji himself had an affair with, Fujitsubo ( 
), was a consort of his father, the old Emperor. This consort had a child of Genji's, named Reizei ( 
).
After the 3rd princess gave birth to the child of Kashiwagi, Kaoru (also known as Kaoru-No-Kimi 
), she was filled with remorse, and pledged to become a nun. However, Genji was so angry with her that he would not forgive her and would not let her escape by taking vow. The 3rd princess was prostrated.
The son of Genji and Aoi (also known as Aoi-No-Ue 
), Yugiri ( 
= evening mist ), paid a visit to Kashiwagi and told him about the news of the 3rd princess. Knowing that he would never have the chance to see the 3rd princess again, Kashiwagi mingled with despair, and became weaker and weaker.
On the 50th day of Kaoru's birth, in an attempt to hide from the world of the fact that Kaoru was actually not his child, he held an elaborate ceremony for Kaoru's birth.
). After playing the Kashiwagi's flute princess Ochiba gave him, Yugiri went to bed. In his dream that night, the ghost of Kashiwagi appeared. Yugiri was woken by this dream. His wife came to clam him down.
), an adopted daughter of Genji's, was now a widow of several eligible daughters. Kaoru was outside Tamakazura's mansion, and the ladies made fun of his strong body smell.
) were in full bloom in Tamakazura's mansion, one of Yugiri's son peeked through the curtain, watching Tamakazura's daughter and a lade playing the game Go.
). In one visit to his uncle, he peeked through the fan gap and saw his uncle's daughter, Ookimi ( 
), under moonlight. He fell in love with her. At that time, Heian noblemen had little chance of seeing highborn ladies who were well kept behind curtains. However, Kaoru never succeed in marrying Ookimi.
), sister of Ookimi, encouraged by Kaoru, accepted the marriage proposal from prince Niou (also known as Niou-Nomiya 
). Kaoru later regretted his encouragement to Nakanokimi, however.
). Knowing that even they shared the same mother, her half sister had been living in poverty, Nakanokimi brought Ukifune to the palace and wanted to bring her happiness. However, even though Ukifune entrusted Nakanokimi for the promise of a good life and husband, soon after her arrival in the palace, Nakanokimi's husband, prince Niou tired to seduce her.