Murasaki Shikibu’s Followers (509)

Murasaki Shikibu

Born

Heian-kyō, Japan

Genre

Poetry

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Murasaki Shikibu (Japanese: 紫式部), born around 978 in Heian-kyō (modern-day Kyoto), is widely celebrated as one of the most important and pioneering figures in Japanese literature. Though her real name is not definitively known, she is remembered by the sobriquet “Murasaki Shikibu,” a name derived from a combination of her most famous literary character, Murasaki, and her father’s official court position in the Bureau of Ceremonial (Shikibu-shō). This alias reflects both her literary contribution and her aristocratic lineage.
She was born into the prestigious Fujiwara family, though to a lesser branch that did not hold the most powerful positions in court. Her father, Fujiwara no Tametoki, was a scholar, poet, and provincial governor. Recogni Murasaki Shikibu (Japanese: 紫式部), born around 978 in Heian-kyō (modern-day Kyoto), is widely celebrated as one of the most important and pioneering figures in Japanese literature. Though her real name is not definitively known, she is remembered by the sobriquet “Murasaki Shikibu,” a name derived from a combination of her most famous literary character, Murasaki, and her father’s official court position in the Bureau of Ceremonial (Shikibu-shō). This alias reflects both her literary contribution and her aristocratic lineage.
She was born into the prestigious Fujiwara family, though to a lesser branch that did not hold the most powerful positions in court. Her father, Fujiwara no Tametoki, was a scholar, poet, and provincial governor. Recognizing his daughter’s remarkable intellect, he allowed her to study Chinese classics, a field generally restricted to men in the Heian period. This early education proved foundational, setting her apart from many of her contemporaries and deeply influencing her literary style.
Murasaki married in her twenties, but her husband died shortly after their daughter was born. Following his death, she may have spent a period of seclusion before being summoned to court around 1005, where she entered the service of Empress Shōshi (also known as Fujiwara no Shōshi), the consort of Emperor Ichijō. In this environment of cultural refinement and political sophistication, Murasaki thrived, participating in the literary and poetic salons that were central to courtly life.
Her greatest and most enduring achievement is The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari), a monumental narrative often hailed as the world’s first novel. Written in the early 11th century during her time at court, the work consists of fifty-four chapters and follows the life, loves, and descendants of the nobleman Hikaru Genji. With rich psychological insight, a deep understanding of human emotion, and elegant prose interwoven with more than 800 waka poems, The Tale of Genji offers a vivid depiction of Heian court culture, aesthetics, and the complex interplay of personal ambition, desire, and fate. It remains one of the central pillars of classical Japanese literature.
In addition to The Tale of Genji, Murasaki also wrote The Diary of Lady Murasaki (Murasaki Shikibu Nikki), a work of non-fiction that offers unique glimpses into the daily life of the court and her own thoughts and experiences. Unlike her fiction, her diary is often introspective and frank, providing invaluable context for understanding Heian society, the role of women, and the tensions she faced as both a court insider and a perceptive, occasionally critical observer of her surroundings.
Despite the limitations placed upon women during her time, Murasaki Shikibu’s writings reflect a striking depth of knowledge, not only in poetry and prose but also in Chinese classics and Buddhist philosophy. Her work was deeply shaped by the refined aesthetics of the Heian period, especially the concept of mono no aware—the awareness of the impermanence of things—which permeates The Tale of Genji and gives it a profound emotional resonance.
Murasaki Shikibu’s influence transcended her own time. Her works continued to be read, studied, and copied in the centuries that followed. She has been commemorated in literature, art, and even in religious tradition, and is still celebrated today as a cultural icon. Statues and memorials honor her across Japan, and The Tale of Genji has inspired countless translations, adaptations, and scholarly studies worldwide.
Her legacy endures not only because of the historical significance of her writing but also because of the timeless insight she offered into the human condition. Murasaki Shikibu remains a symbol of literary brilliance, intellectual resilience, and artistic sensitivity—a voice from a millennium ago that continues to speak across the ages. ...more

Combine Editions
Murasaki Shikibu’s books

Average rating: 3.76 · 18,915 ratings · 2,069 reviews · 272 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Tale of Genji 3.72 avg rating — 14,447 ratings — published 1000 — 376 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Diary of Lady Murasaki by Murasaki Shikibu, Richard Bowring (Translator) 3.80 avg rating — 2,107 ratings — published 1010 — 27 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	La novela de Genji I. Esplendor by Murasaki Shikibu, Xavier Roca-Ferrer (Translator) 4.21 avg rating — 423 ratings — published 1000 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan by Murasaki Shikibu, Lady Sarashina, Izumi Shikibu 3.95 avg rating — 260 ratings — published 1920 — 98 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	La novela de Genji II. Catástrofe 4.26 avg rating — 218 ratings — published 1021 — 14 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Genji & Heike: Selections from The Tale of Genji and The Tale of the Heike by Murasaki Shikibu, Helen Craig McCullough (Introduction) 3.56 avg rating — 171 ratings — published 1994 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Japanese Literature Including Selections from Genji Monogatari and Classical Poetry and Drama of Japan by Murasaki Shikibu, Epiphanius Wilson (Editor) 3.89 avg rating — 97 ratings — published 2010 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Kirsikankukkajuhla (Genjin tarina #1) by Murasaki Shikibu, Martti Turunen (Translator), Kai Nieminen (Translator) 3.17 avg rating — 54 ratings — published 1010	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Het Verhaal van Genji deel 1 (Het verhaal van Genji, #1) by Murasaki Shikibu, Jos Vos (Translator) 3.55 avg rating — 38 ratings — published 1008	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Příběh prince Gendžiho 1 by Murasaki Shikibu, Karel Fiala (Translator) 3.19 avg rating — 42 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Murasaki Shikibu…

Series by Murasaki Shikibu

源氏物語 (69 books)
by

Murasaki Shikibu

3.73 avg rating — 14,911 ratings

The Tale of Genji (2 books)
by

Murasaki Shikibu,

Xavier Roca-Ferrer (Translator)

3.73 avg rating — 14,665 ratings

Tale of Genji (Audible) (2 books)
by

Murasaki Shikibu,

Dennis Washburn (Translation),

Brian Nishii (Reading)

3.72 avg rating — 14,462 ratings

Genjin tarina (4 books)
by

Murasaki Shikibu,

Kai Nieminen (Translator)

3.30 avg rating — 92 ratings

Het Verhaal van Genji (4 books)
by

Murasaki Shikibu,

Jos Vos (Translator)

3.61 avg rating — 64 ratings

More series by Murasaki Shikibu…

Quotes by Murasaki Shikibu (?)

“Real things in the darkness seem no realer than dreams.”
― Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji

tags: appearance, darkness, dreams, reality

133 likes

“It is useless to talk with those who do not understand one and troublesome to talk with those who criticize from a feeling of superiority. Especially one-sided persons are troublesome. Few are accomplished in many arts and most cling narrowly to their own opinion.”
― Murasaki Shikibu , Diaries of court ladies of old Japan

72 likes

“ To be pleasant, gentle, calm and self-possessed: this is the basis of good taste and charm in a woman. No matter how amorous or passionate you may be, as long as you are straightforward and refrain from causing others embarrassment, no one will mind. But women who are too vain and act pretentiously, to the extent that they make others feel uncomfortable, will themselves become the object of attention; and once that happens, people will find fault with whatever they say or do; whether it be how they enter a room, how they sit down, how they stand up or how they take their leave. Those who end up contradicting themselves and those who disparage their companions are also carefully watched and listened to all the more. As long as you are free from such faults, people will surely refrain from listening to tittle-tattle and will want to show you sympathy, if only for the sake of politeness.
I am of the opinion that when you intentionally cause hurt to another, or indeed if you do ill through mere thoughtless behavior, you fully deserve to be censured in public. Some people are so good-natured that they can still care for those who despise them, but I myself find it very difficult. Did the Buddha himself in all his compassion ever preach that one should simply ignore those who slander the Three Treasures? How in this sullied world of ours can those who are hard done by be expected to reciprocate in kind?”
― Murasaki Shikibu, The Diary of Lady Murasaki

tags: japanese, philosophy

67 likes

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Polls

What do you want to read in July? A new poll is now available.

The Waiting Years by Fumiko Enchi

5 votes, 62.5%

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1 vote, 12.5%

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1 vote, 12.5%

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1 vote, 12.5%

The Coffin Tree by Wendy Law-Yone

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The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu

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