The Tale of GenjiAn abridged edition of the world’s first novel, in a translation that is “likely to be the definitive edition . . . for many years to come” (The Wall Street Journal) A Penguin Classic Written in the eleventh century, this exquisite portrait of courtly life in medieval Japan is widely celebrated as the world’s first novel—and is certainly one of its finest. Genji, the Shining Prince, is the son of an emperor. He is a passionate character whose tempestuous nature, family circumstances, love affairs, alliances, and shifting political fortunes form the core of this magnificent epic. Royall Tyler’s superior translation is detailed, poetic, and superbly true to the Japanese original while allowing the modern reader to appreciate it as a contemporary treasure. In this deftly abridged edition, Tyler focuses on the early chapters, which vividly evoke Genji as a young man and leave him at his first moment of triumph. This edition also includes detailed notes, glossaries, character lists, and chronologies. |
Contents
The Broom Tree Hahakigi | 18 |
The Twilight Beauty | 54 |
Young Murasaki | 87 |
Beneath the Autumn | 128 |
Under the Cherry | 152 |
The Green Branch Sakaki | 186 |
Suma Suma Abridged | 225 |
Akashi Akashi Slightly abridged | 253 |
The Pilgrimage | 283 |
The Picture Contest | 305 |
Further Reading | 325 |
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Common terms and phrases
Akashi Akikonomu autumn Bai Juyi beauty brought called carriage chapter child Chinese City curtains daughter dawn despite dream dress cloak Emperor Suzaku Empress Mother eyes father fear feel flower Fujitsubo gave gentlewomen girl hair heard heart Heir Apparent Ise monogatari Kamo Kamo Shrine knew Kokiden Consort Kokinshu Koremitsu koto lady leave letter live look lord lover Majesty Majesty's mind Minister mistress month moon mountain moved Murasaki Murasaki Shikibu never night Nijō Novice numbers Oborozukiyo Ōmyōbu once paintings palace play poem Priestess Prince Hyōbu Princess rank replied Retired Emperor rites robe Rokujō Haven seemed senior nobles sent Shōnagon shore Shrine sleeves someone sorrow strange Sugawara no Michizane Suma Suzaku Tale of Genji talk tears tell things thought Tō no Chūjō took Ukifune Ukon waves wept wind wish woman women wonder worried young