54Chapeters of
The Tale of Genji

It is written by Murasaki Shikibu(Lady Murasaki) in the 11th century.I will introduce 54Chapters and Related Arts and Crafts.

Continue reading...

1. Kiritsubo / The Paulownia Court(桐壺)

October 10, 2022 by Shiba

emperor meets his prince
emperor meets his prince(right of the screen) the Art Institute of Chicago,"The Tale of Genji"Pair of six-panel screens,Artist Unknown,early 17th century

Passage

At the Court of an Emperor (he lived it matters not when)

Opening sentence of Genji translated by Waley. Seidensticker's translation is "In a certain reign". the latter is closer to the original.

Genji is "Once upon a time" story, like fairy tales and Star Wars.A good story takes the reader far beyond time and space. Let us also travel to the world of Genji.

Korean fortune teller predicted
Korean fortune teller predicted.『源氏物語絵色紙帖 桐壺 詞後陽成院周仁』（京都国立博物館所蔵）「ColBase」収録(https://jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-5844)

Summary

Once upon a time, there was a woman who was loved by the emperor(Kiritsubo). Due to her low class, She was the subject of jealousy and criticism. She died of illness after giving birth to a beautiful prince. This prince is the hero of this story.When the prince was young, a Korean fortune teller predicted.

"He can be the father of the country. However, it will not make him happy"

The emperor considered the prince's happy. and he decided to make the prince his vassal (Genji).A woman looks like Kiritsubo enters the court(Fujitsubo).The emperor loves her. Genji also admires Fujitsubo like mother.

Comment

Introduction to the story. Several important events occur. The loss of his mother, power struggles, the prophecy of a fortune teller... these events have a impact on Genji's destiny. Genji is a family name given by the emperor. If a person did not have the right to succeed to the throne, he took the family name not as a prince, but as a vassal.

About

I live in Kyoto.Introduce Japanese literature with the help of Google Translate.please excuse my english.

54Chapters

  1. 1. Kiritsubo / The Paulownia Court(桐壺)
  2. 2. The Broom-Tree / The Broom Tree(帚木)
  3. 3. Utsusemi / The Shell of the Locust(空蝉)
  4. 4. Yugao / Evening Faces(夕顔)
  5. 5. Murasaki / Lavender(若紫)
  6. 6. The Saffron-Flower / The Safflower(末摘花)
  7. 7. The Festival of Red Leaves / An Autumn Excursion(紅葉賀)
  8. 8. The Flower Feast / The Festival of the Cherry Blossoms(花宴)
  9. 9. Aoi / Heartvine(葵)
  10. 10. The Sacred Tree / The Sacred Tree(賢木)
  11. 11. The Village of Falling Flowers / The Orange Blossoms(花散里)
  12. 12. Exile at Suma / Suma(須磨)
  13. 13. Akashi / Akashi(明石)
  14. 14. The Flood Gauge / Channel Buoys(澪標)
  15. 15. The Palace in the Tangled Woods / The Wormwood Patch(蓬生)
  16. 16. A Meeting at the Frontier / The Gatehouse(関屋)
  17. 17. The Picture Competition / A Picture Contest(絵合)
  18. 18. The Wind in the Pine-Trees / The Wind in the Pines(松風)
  19. 19. A Wreath of Cloud / A Rack of Cloud(薄雲)
  20. 20. Asagao / The Morning Glory(朝顔)
  21. 21. The Maiden / The Maiden(少女)
  22. 22. Tamakatsura / The Jeweled Chaplet(玉鬘)
  23. 23. The First Song of the Year / The First Warbler(初音)
  24. 24. The Butterflies / Butterflies(胡蝶)
  25. 25. The Glow-Worm / Fireflies(蛍)
  26. 26. A Bed of Carnations / Wild Carnations(常夏)
  27. 27. The Flares / Flares(篝火)
  28. 28. The Typhoon / The Typhoon(野分)
  29. 29. The Royal Visit / The Royal Outing(行幸)
  30. 30. Blue Trousers / Purple Trousers(藤袴)
  31. 31. Makibashira / The Cypress Pillar(真木柱)
  32. 32. The Spray of Plum-Blossoms / A Branch of Plum(梅枝)
  33. 33. Fuji No Uraba / Wisteria Leaves(藤裏葉)
  34. 34. Wakana, Part I / New Herbs: Part One(若菜上)
  35. 35. Wakana, Part II / New Herbs: Part Two(若菜下)
  36. 36. Kashiwagi / The Oak Tree(柏木)
  37. 37. The Flute / The Flute(横笛)
  38. 38. (no title)/ The Bell Cricket(鈴虫)
  39. 39. Yugiri / Evening Mist(夕霧)
  40. 40. The Law / The Rites(御法)
  41. 41. Mirage / The Wizard(幻)
  42. Kumogakure / Vanished into the Clouds(雲隠)
  43. 42. Niou / His Perfumed Highness(匂宮)
  44. 43. Kobai / The Rose Plum(紅梅)
  45. 44. Bamboo River / Bamboo River(竹河)
  46. 45. The Bridge Maiden / The Lady at the Bridge(橋姫)
  47. 46. At the foot of the Oak-Tree / Beneath the Oak(椎本)
  48. 47. Agemaki / Trefoil Knots(総角)
  49. 48. Fern-Shoots / Early Ferns(早蕨)
  50. 49. The Mistletoe / The Ivy(宿木)
  51. 50. The Eastern House / The Eastern Cottage(東屋)
  52. 51. Ukifune / A Boat upon the Waters(浮舟)
  53. 52. The Gossamer-Fly / The Drake Fly(蜻蛉)
  54. 53. Writing-Practice / At Writing Practice(手習)
  55. 54. The Bridge of Dreams / The Floating Bridge of Dreams(夢浮橋)