"The sensitive and modest daughter of a mid-ranking court poet, Murasaki Shikibu staves off loneliness with her acitve imagination, telling stories about the dashing Prince Genji to her close friends. At first, they are their private entertainment, but soon Genji's amorous adventures are leaked to the public and Murasaki is thrust into the life of a kind of eleventh-century Japanese celebrity. She is compelled by a charismatic regent to accept a position at court regaling the empress with her stories. At court, Lady Murasaki becomes caught in a vortex of high politics and sexual intrigue, which begins to reflect itself in her stories."--Jacket.

"With its vivid descriptions of imperial society, gardens, and architecture in early eleventh-century Japan, The Tale of Genji--often referred to as the world's first novel--has captivated audiences around the globe and inspired artistic traditions for a thousand years. Scenes from the tale adorn lavish screens, robes, lacquer boxes, incense burners, games, and even palanquins for transporting young brides to their new homes. This handsomely designed and profusely illustrated book introduces the outstanding art associated with Genji, while exploring the tale's wide-ranging influence on Japanese culture, design, and aesthetics into the modern era from Ukiyo-e to manga. Through discussions of more than one hundred works, this groundbreaking publication illuminates the classic tale's place within the history of Japanese literature and calligraphy. While highlighting key episodes and characters, the volume also raises issues related to the tale's female authorship and readership as well as to its Buddhist reception."