Murasaki Shikibu, an extraordinary woman of immense literary prowess and profound cultural significance, graced the illustrious courts of Heian Japan during the early 11th century. Born into a noble family, the exact date of her birth remains veiled in historical ambiguity. However, her enduring legacy as the esteemed author of ‘The Tale of Genji’ stands as an unequivocal testament to her unparalleled literary genius and profound impact on Japanese literature.

Renowned for her exceptional intelligence and profound understanding of courtly life, Murasaki Shikibu was a gifted poet, prose writer, and esteemed lady-in-waiting at the imperial court. As a highly educated courtier, she deftly navigated the intricate complexities of Heian society, immersing herself in the captivating realms of poetry, calligraphy, and literature.

Life Facts

Lady Murasaki Shikibu was born in Kyoto, Japan.
She married her distant cousin
She gave birth to her daughter, Katako, in 999

Interesting Facts

Her exact year of birth is unknown.
Her exact year of death is unkown.
Shikibu means “secretariat” which was her father’s position at the Bureau of Rites in Kyoto.

Famous Books by Murasaki Shikibu

‘The Tale of Genji‘ – the 11th Century classic tale of love and intrigue amongst the high courtiers and noble ladies-in-waiting of the Japanese Heian Imperial Court holds a remarkable place in the history of World Literature as arguably the first novel in human history, the first psychological novel, the first novel by a woman, Lady Murasaki Shikibu, and one of the earliest exemplary works of the Global Vernacular Revolution. Set in the Japanese Heian Imperial Court in Kyoto at the turn of the first millennium, this moving work centers on the life of Genji, born a lesser son of the Japanese Emperor, refined, handsome, and full of romantic adventure, who for political reasons is relegated to the status of a commoner and takes up life on coming of age as a minor Imperial official at court. While painting a vast panorama of Japanese high court society and its refined culture it follows Genji’s intricate and convoluted loves and sexual affairs, changing political fortunes from exile to the highest offices in the land, and his growing spiritual maturity leading to the realization of the transience, melancholy and illusory nature of much of human experience.

‘Murasaki Shikibu Nikki’ – alternatively referred to as ‘The Diary of Lady Murasaki,’ is a personal journal penned by the esteemed Murasaki Shikibu. This diary serves as a precious and intimate window into the world of courtly life during the Heian period, offering profound insights into cultural practices, her astute observations of individuals, and her own experiences as a lady-in-waiting at the imperial court. Through her eloquent poetry and profound reflections, she masterfully captures the intricate nuances of existence within the court, leaving behind a historical and literary gem that beautifully complements her celebrated novel.

Early Life

Lady Murasaki Shikibu, a prominent figure in Japanese literature, was born around 978 in Kyoto, Japan. While her true name remains a mystery, scholars speculate that “Murasaki” was not her given name but rather a nickname she adopted from a significant character in her renowned work, ‘The Tale of Genji,’ which was written around 1020. The term “Shikibu” refers to her father’s esteemed position as a secretariat at the Bureau of Rites in Kyoto. It is worth noting that Shikibu’s father hailed from a branch of the influential Fujiwara clan, which held numerous prestigious positions within the Japanese government during the Heian Period.

Literary Career

After starting her job as a servant at Shōshi’s palace, Murasaki started her diary. The diary, which spans the period from roughly 1008 to 1010, has a lot of information about her and her experiences in court. Long descriptive passages, some of which might have been letters at one time, cover her interactions with the other ladies-in-waiting, Michinaga’s personality, the birth of Shōshi’s sons—at Michinaga’s mansion rather than the Imperial Palace—and the writing of Genji, including descriptions of sending freshly written chapters to calligraphers for transcription. The birth of Shōshi’s son Emperor Go-Ichijō, an event of great significance to Michinaga because he had planned for it with his daughter’s marriage, which made him grandfather and de facto regent to an emperor, receives half of Murasaki’s attention, typical of contemporary court diaries written to honor patrons.

Murasaki is most known for her three-part novel ‘The Tale of Genji,’ which has 1100 pages and 54 chapters and is believed to have taken a decade to write. The first chapters may have been written for a private client either before or soon after her husband’s passing. While in court, she continued writing, and most likely finished while still working for Shōshi. To create a work of this length, she would have needed patronage. She received expensive paper, ink, and calligraphers from Michinaga. The initial handwritten books were most likely put together and bound by ladies-in-waiting.

Death, Influence, and Legacy

Shikibu’s date of death is unknown. The final record of her appears in a court document dated 1013 and her father abruptly resigned his position in 1014 which led some historians to believe that her death occurred during this time. Alternately Shikibu may have become a nun during this period. Empress Shoshi left court and entered a nunnery after the death of her husband, Emperor Ichijo (980–1011). Many of the empress’s ladies-in-waiting followed her and some scholars suggest that Shikibu took her vows at this time. Additionally, some evidence suggests that Shikibu attended ceremonies with Empress Shoshi in 1025. Other historians propose that Shikibu died in 1031.

‘The Tale of Genji’ by Shikibu offers a distinctive, first-person viewpoint on the practices, pursuits, and personalities of courtesans in Japan during the Heian era. Several Chinese and Japanese poems from the 11th century and earlier are only known via the poetry included in Shikibu’s book. ‘The Tale of Genji’ provides a history of ancient Japanese culture and exemplifies the prevalent Buddhist outlook of the Heian period. Reading ‘The Tale of Genji’ is mandatory in Japanese high schools nowadays.

Literature by Murasaki Shikibu

Explore literature by Murasaki Shikibu below, created by the team at Book Analysis.

The Tale of Genji

About Murasaki Shikibu

(978-1014), Japanese

Life Facts

Interesting Facts