Tuttle Publishing Tale of Genji: The Authentic First Translation of the World's Earliest Novel

This is the most important book in the history of literature as it is the world's first recorded novel (not an epic poem but an actual novel). Written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu (born 978) of the famed Japanese Fumiwara clan, the 200 page heroic political romance is full of court intrigue, passion, and romanticism.

Since this translation, though covering only the first seventeen chapters of the total of fifty-four, is the work of a native speaker of Japanese and was originally published in the late 19th century (1882), it should occupy a rightful place among the other English renditions done by English speakers. Unlike most commentators in the West who praise this novel without reservation, this Japanese translator points out its shortcomings. The translator’s own introduction says that “yet this work affords fair ground for criticism.” One criticism is that “this work, also, is too voluminous.” (p. 17) To this criticism, I tend to agree. Native English speaking translators may perhaps refrain from passing judgments that are too negative, out of a tacit respect for a foreign culture.Kencho Suematsu, the translator, says that the novel was written in pure classical Japanese. It should also be noted that, as I understand, Murasaki Shikibu wrote the novel mainly in hiragana, the Japanese phonetic “letters” adapted from Chinese characters. Chinese characters came to Japan probably via the Korean Peninsula in the 4th or 5th century. The Japanese hiragana system was developed much later, probably during the 9th century, mainly by Buddhist monks as an aid to the reading of Chinese texts. It is thus quite amazing that women of the 10th and 11th century could already use the new written language in fiction creation, as well as in poetry and letter writing.The translator also mentions the possible background of Murasaki Shikibu’s creation. She received a request from her master the Empress to produce some story. So she went to visit a Buddhist monastery to get some inspiration. Ideas came to her while she was pondering by Lake Biwa to the east of Kyoto.Genji enjoys full freedom in his love affairs with a host of women, although his most beloved female is Lady Murasaki. This freedom may be understood as an extravagant display of the old Japanese marital custom of “tsumadoikon”, with the husband visiting the home of the wife, instead of sharing a home together.

I had read The Tale of Genji several years ago and wanted to re-visit it. This abridged translation was disappointing. Whilst I had found the previous unabridged translation tedious and repetitive I found this version to be far too short. I wanted more of Genji and the Japanese ladies. However it was a fascinating read being such an ancient novel.

Llego en tiempo y forma.Es justo lo que pedí

É a tradução mais antiga do conto. Infelizmente, só descobrimos que é incompleta depois que compramos o livro e lemos sua introdução. Em nenhum momento isto é avisado antes de se realizar a compra.