Selected Masterpieces of World Literature - The Tale of Genji (Upper, Middle, and Lower Parts)

Author: (Japan) Murasaki Shikibu, translated by Xia Yuanqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-08-01
Features: "Monogatari" is a unique narrative prose genre that evolved from myths, legends, and fairy tales. Mature monogatari are truly classical novels in the true sense. The novel narrates the stories of three emperors, an imperial grandson, and high-ranking ministers, primarily focusing on their sexual relationships with hundreds of women. Its plot unfolds around the "romantic histories" of two male protagonists, with "romance" serving as the main content. Among these, Hikaru Genji's "romantic history" is the highlight of the entire book, while Kashiwagi no Kashiwagi's "romantic history" serves as a supplement and foil. Through the intricate web of aristocratic social relationships woven by these romantic connections, the lives of the entire court and nobility are revealed, reflecting the social reality of Japan's Heian period and foretelling the inevitable decline of the aristocratic class.