Japan's First Novel - "Genji Monogatari" - Reveals True Japan Life

"Genji Monogatari" or translated into English, "The Tale of Genji" is the world's first novel about a handsome prince, born to the Emperor and a low-ranked "woman in waiting". This princess' name was Hikaru Genji or otherwise known as the "Shining Prince". It covers more than just the life history of Genji; rather it depicts culture, politics, religions, and historical events what would have surrounded Genji if he were a real person and no just a written character in the Heian Era in addition to recent years. This novel however does also carry a strong theme of love, lust and the various forms of meetings of the opposite sex. Before going to Japan, it is smart to read this book to understand the true meaning of things that are done in Japan. It is a guide to temples and museum articles that are seen around the country. It should not be missed.

This novel, written in the early 11^th -century Japan, begins with a love affair with the Emperor (whose first legitimate wife is Kokiden, the Kokiden Consort), and Kiritsubo no Koi (his lower-ranked concubine). The Emperor falls deeply in love with this young Kiristubo and can not seem to be apart from her. Therefore he asks Kiritsubo to come join him in the palace where they give birth to Genji. Genji grows to be an extremely handsome young boy, which further strengthens the love for Kiritsubo. As it would have been guessed, this made man of the higher-ranked concubines and Kokiden very jealous and they began to treat Kiritsubo very distastefully. From all this bad treatment, Kiritsubo falls very ill and asks permission to leave with her son to return to her home so that she may become healthier. However, the Emperor because of his increased adornment for the two of them, he repeatedly refuses. One day she asks permission again and he felt, as though he must agree to her request, as for she is looking more ill as everyday passes.