Royall Tyler

"These seven essays by the most recent English translator of The Tale of Genji emphasize three major interpretive issues. What is the place of the hero (Hikaru Genji) in the work? What story gives the narrative underlying continuity and form? And how does the closing section of the tale (especially the ten "Uji chapters") relate to what precedes it? Written over a period of nine years, the essays suggest fresh, thought-provoking perspectives on Japan's...

Written in the 11th century, Lady Murasaki's account of court life in the city of Heian, Japan, relates the story of Prince Genji, the son of an emperor, whose passionate character, love affairs and shifting political fortunes, offer an exquisite glimpse of the golden age of Japan.