The Tale of Genji

Written in the early eleventh century, this long Japanese narrative follows Hikaru Genji, a gifted imperial son reduced to commoner rank, through love affairs, exile at Suma and Akashi, and the politics of Heian court marriage. After his death the later chapters turn to Kaoru and Niou and to a woman hidden at Uji. Palaces, villas, and the rules of poetry and dress form the setting. The work is a court novel of desire and rank, not a war chronicle and not a modern psychological case study.

Quarter-bound in art silk with cloth sides. Gilded page tops. Image blocked slipcase. Folio Society.