The tale of Genji
By: Murasaki Shikibu ; translated by Dennis Washburn
Contributors: Washburn, Dennis C. (Dennis Charles), 1954- translator
Edition: First edition.
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Published: 2015
Language: eng
Translated from: jpn
Translation of: Genji Monogatori
Number of pages: 1320
ISBN-13: 9780393047875; 9780393353396
Copyright date: 2015
Subjects: Fiction; Courts and courtiers; Translations into English; Japanese fiction
Work titles: Genji monogatari
Description: "A graceful, lucid translation of the world's first, and one of its greatest, novels."--Alan Tansman, University of California, Berkeley. Murasaki Shikibu, born into the middle ranks of the aristocracy during the Heian Period (794-1185 CE), wrote The Tale of Genji--widely considered the world's first novel--during the early years of the eleventh century. Expansive, compelling, and sophisticated in its representation of ethical concerns and aesthetic ideals, Murasaki's tale came to occupy a central place in Japan's remarkable history of artistic achievement and is now recognized as a masterpiece of world literature. The Tale of Genji is presented here in a flowing new translation for contemporary readers, who will discover in its depiction of the culture of the imperial court the rich complexity of human experience that simultaneously resonates with and challenges their own. Washburn sets off interior monologues with italics for fluid reading, embeds some annotations for accessibility and clarity, and translates poetry into English into triplets to create prosodic equivalents of the original"--
Notes: "Unabridged"--Cover.

Translation of: Genji monogatari.

Includes bibliographical references.

Translated from the Japanese.
Table of contents: title: Kiritsubo: The lady of the Paulownia-courtyard chambers; title: Hahakigi: Broom cypress; title: Utsusemi: A molted cicada shell; title: Yūgao: The lady of the evening faces; title: Wakamurasaki: Little purple Gromwell; title: Suetsumuhana: The safflower; title: Momiji no ga: An imperial celebration of autumn foliage; title: Hana no en: A banquet celebrating cherry blossoms; title: Aoi: Leaves of wild ginger; title: Sakaki: A branch of sacred evergreen; title: Hanachirusato: The lady at the Villa of Scattering Orange Blossoms; title: Suma: Exile to Suma; title: Akashi: The lady at Akashi; title: Miotsukushi: Channel markers; title: Yomogiu: A ruined villa of tangled gardens; title: Sekiya: The barrier gate; title: E-awase: A contest of illustrations; title: Matsukaze: Wind in the pines; title: Usugumo: A thin veil of clouds; title: Asagao: Bellflowers; title: Otome: Maidens of the dance; title: Tamakazura: A lovely garland; title: Hatsune: First song of spring; title: Kochō: Butterflies; title: Hotaru: Fireflies; title: Tokonatsu: Wild pinks; title: Kagaribi: Cresset fires; title: Nowaki: An autumn tempest; title: Miyuki: An imperial excursion; title: Fujibakama: Mistflowers; title: Makibashira: A beloved pillar of cypress; title: Umegae: A branch of plum; title: Fuji no uraba: Shoots of wisteria leaves; title: Wakana: Early spring greens: Part I; title: Wakana: Early spring greens: Part 2; title: Kashiwagi: The oak tree; title: Yokobue: The transverse flute; title: Suzumushi: Bell crickets; title: Yūgiri: Evening mist; title: Minori: Rites of the sacred law; title: Maboroshi: Spirit summoner [Translator's note]; title: Niou miya: The fragrant prince; title: Kōbai: Red plum; title: Takekawa: Bamboo river; title: Hashihime: The divine princess at Uji bridge; title: Shiigamoto: At the foot of the oak tree; title: Agemaki: A bowknot tied in maiden's loops; title: Sawarabi: Early fiddlehead greens; title: Yadoriki: Trees encoiled in vines of ivy; title: Azumaya: A hut in the Eastern provinces; title: Ukifune: A boat cast adrift; title: Kagerō: Ephemerids; title: Tenarai: Practicing calligraphy; title: Yume no ukihashi: A floating bridge in a dream [Translator's note].