The Tale of Genji
When considering the implications had on history by literature, many people find significance only in overt political consequences that accompany literature’s introduction, of which Machiavelli’s The Prince is a fine example. However, some of the more important pieces of literature have a much more subdued and subtle influence which spans many years and only in retrospect, may the influence be seen. Japanese author, Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji is such a work.
Unlike the Mahabhrata or The Art of War, The Tale of Genji is much more of a novel then an epic dealing with historical figures or a catalogue of principles. Accordingly, the text follows the life of Hikaru Genji, a Japanese man born with incredible charisma. However, as the text was written during the Heian era (794-1185), the high water mark of the Japanese aristocracy, Genji’s non-royal status prevents him from directly attaining the throne. The remainder of the work follows Genji’s romantic endeavors and the political intrigue of the Heian court.[1]
The overt historical significance of The Tale of Genji is the vivid illustrations of court life presented in the text. Utilizing such information from The Tale of Genji and other pieces written around the same time, historians have been able to piece together a rather cohesive picture of aristocratic life, as well as the functions of government during the Heian era. However, the more profound significance of The Tale of Genji lies in its literary influence. The near-legendary Japanese scholar Donald Keene ranked the The Tale of Genji as the “greatest glory in Japanese literature.”[2]
However, every nation or peoples have their own unique literature or stories that influence them, so what makes The Tale of Genji different enough to warrant a place on this author’s list of important literature? The answer lies not in its historical significance as has prior been illustrated, but rather, its enduring legacy. The influence that The Tale of Genji exerts today is perhaps stronger than it has ever been, mainly because of the introduction of two new aesthetic mediums: anime and manga (Japanese animation and Japanese comic books, respectively). Many aspects of anime and manga may trace their roots back to The Tale of Genji, including the convention of a singular and (often unknowingly) charismatic young man surrounded by a harem of attractive women or the use of “political” maneuvering that echo passages from The Tale of Genji. As these two mediums continue to find audiences across the globe, Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji will continue to influence not only Japanese society and literature, but the entirety of the world. It is for this reason that The Tale of Genji warrants discussion as an important work of literature.
Disclaimer: The assertions made and conclusions posed in the final paragraph are the my own, and accordingly, if there is any factual error or misinterpretation, it is mine alone.
Columnist: Adam Coldren
Editor: Cassie Sullivan
Works Cited
Keene, Donald. “The Tale of Genji in a General Education.” The Journal of General Education
12, no. 1 (1959): 9-14.
Tyler, Royall. “Rivalry, Triumph, Folly, and Revenge: A Plot Line Through ‘The Tale of Genji.’”
Journal of Japanese Studies 29, no. 2 (2003): 251-287.
[1] Royall Tyler, “Rivalry, Triumph, Folly, and Revenge: A Plot Line Through ‘The Tale of Genji,’” Journal of Japanese Studies 29, no. 2 (2003): 251-254.
[2] Donald Keene, “The Tale of Genji in a General Education,” The Journal of General Education 12, no. 1 (1959): 9.
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