Abstract

Murasaki Shikibu, who is attracting attention as the main character of the 2024 NHK Taiga TV drama "Hikaru Kimi e", has been re-evaluated based on the latest research. Disparate society, gender, lookism, power struggles... A must-read introductory book on Murasaki Shikibu and Heian culture that will help you understand it from a new perspective! ●Considerations based on the latest research on Murasaki Shikibu's personality, her life at the court, her life, and her masterpieces "The Tale of Genji" and "Murasaki Shikibu's Diary."It can be used as a subtext when reading The Tale of Genji for the first time, in Japanese language classes, or as a drama. A book that also serves as a source for deep reading. ●We thoroughly introduce the charms of the leaders of Heian literature, who are rivals of Murasaki Shikibu, such as Sei Shonagon and Izumi Shikibu. -Full illustrations of attractive people such as Fujiwara Michinaga, Fujiwara Kinto, Emperor Ichijo, Akazomeemon, Fujiwara Shoko, Fujiwara Sadako, Fujiwara Takaie, and Minamoto Rinko who were active in the Heian court at the same time as Murasaki Shikibu. Published a biographical dictionary. You can enjoy comparing it with the characters in the drama. ●Contains a rich analysis of the structure of stories and waka poems from the perspectives of "men'', "women'', and "affection'' in Kana literature of the Heian period, by a leading researcher on Heian literature. -The magazine reproduces the real state of the imperial court at the time, showing how the Heian aristocrats, who outwardly lived elegant and elegant lives, were plotting various schemes in a harsh world where love, hate, and power swirled. ●Multiple partners are the norm!? Lolicons, stalkers, extramarital affairs... The culture and customs of Heian aristocrats are analyzed from various perspectives, such as the excessively free male-female relationships of Heian aristocrats. ● Analyzes contemporary political and social themes such as "disparity society,'' "class and power struggles,'' "gender,'' and "lookism,'' while relating them to the circumstances of the time. This is a book full of information on the front and back of Murasaki Shikibu and the Heian aristocrats that you'll definitely want to tell someone about once you read it!

Author’s Information

Professor at Wayo Women's University. Chair of the Department of Japanese Literature and Culture, Faculty of Humanities. Her specialty is Heian dynasty literature, centering on "The Tale of Genji." Graduated from Waseda University, Faculty of Letters. Withdrew from the Waseda University Graduate School of Letters after completing the doctoral course. In 1990, she won the Kubota Utsuho Award. In 1991, she became a full-time lecturer in the Department of Humanities at Toho Gakuen Junior College of Art, and in 1995 she became an assistant professor and in 2003 she became a professor. In 2018, she became a professor at Wayo Women's University, Faculty of Humanities. Her publications include "The Tale of Genji: The Tale of Genji'' (Moriwasha), "Miyabi: Different Theory: The Culture of "The Tale of Genji'' (editor, Moriwasha), and "Encyclopedia of the Tale of Genji'' (co-editor, Daiwa Shobo), and many more.