Murasaki Shikibu (973–1014)
Author of The Tale of Genji
About the Author
Little is known of Murasaki Shikibu's life beyond what she tells in her diary. Even the name by which she is known is a sobriquet. Among her ancestors were men of literary talent. She married and had a daughter but was widowed in 1001. In that same decade, she entered the service of an empress. Her show more literary reputation may have been a factor in her appointment, and she must have had substantial patronage, because the paper needed for writing a novel was rare and expensive. Her Tale of Genji (c.1000) is generally considered the greatest work in Japanese literature. Love would appear to be the main subject, but, in fact, the author probes human frailty, the evanescence of things, and spiritual concerns. Nothing is known of Lady Murasaki's life after 1013. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Works by Murasaki Shikibu
Murasaki Shikibu, Her Diary and Poetic Memoirs: A Translation and Study (Princeton Library of Asian Translations) (1982) 31 copies
The Tale of Genji: Scenes from the Worlds First Novel (Illustrated Japanese Classics) (2001) 29 copies
Genjin tarina. 1. osa : Kirsikankukkajuhla / suomentanut Martti Turunen ; runot suomentanut Kai Nieminen (1980) 17 copies
Genjin tarina. 2. osa : Tuuli männyissä / suomentanut Martti Turunen ; runot suomentanut Kai Nieminen (1982) 16 copies
Genjin tarina. 3. osa : Pilviverho / suomentanut Martti Turunen ; runot suomentanut Kai Nieminen (1983) 14 copies
Vol.1 : [ Storia di Genji] 6 copies
A Wreath of Cloud 6 copies
源氏物語 4 copies
Het verhaal van Genji II 3 copies
The Lady of the Boat 3 copies
El Relato Genji (Parte II) 2 copies
The Tale of Genji Two Volumes 2 copies
Příběh prince Gendžiho 1 2 copies
The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki: A Novel in Six Parts (Hardcover): Complete and Unabridged 1 copy
Murasaki Shikibu 1 copy
Le Genji monogatari 1 copy
Příběh prince Gendžiho 1 1 copy
The Tale of Genji, Part One 1 copy
源氏物語 (第3巻) 1 copy
源氏物語 (第2巻) 1 copy
源氏物語 (第1巻) 1 copy
Genjin tarina 3: Pilviverho 1 copy
全訳 源氏物語 1 copy
Tale of Genji : Abridged 1 copy
Příběh prince Gendžiho 2 1 copy
源氏物語 (第4巻) 1 copy
The Tale of Genji, E5 1 copy
Princ in dvorne gospe 1 1 copy
Associated Works
The Graphic Canon, Vol. 1: From the Epic of Gilgamesh to Shakespeare to Dangerous Liaisons (2012) — Contributor — 278 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Murasaki Shikibu
- Legal name
- 紫式部
- Birthdate
- 973
- Date of death
- 1014
1025 - Gender
- female
- Nationality
- Japan
- Birthplace
- Kyoto, Japan
- Places of residence
- Kyoto, Japan
Lake Biwa, Japan
Echizen, Japan - Occupations
- Lady in waiting
author
poet - Relationships
- Fujiwara no Kanesuke (great-grandfather)
Fujiwara no Tametoki (father)
Daini no Sanmi (daughter)
Members
Discussions
The Tale of Genji in Japanese Culture (December 2014)
Reviews
Lists
First Novels (1)
Unread books (1)
Shaking a Leg (1)
Epic Fiction (1)
Out of Copyright (1)
Female Author (1)
Read These Too (1)
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 120
- Also by
- 7
- Members
- 7,001
- Popularity
- #3,494
- Rating
- 3.9
- Reviews
- 73
- ISBNs
- 259
- Languages
- 17
- Favorited
- 25