Japan’s Heian period, which ran from 794 to 1185 BCE, is regarded as the conclusion of its classical era. It includes the pinnacle of the Japanese imperial court, which ‘The Tale of Genji‘ meticulously portrays, and is especially renowned for the literary and poetic works of female authors. The Fujiwara family, which included Murasaki Shikibu and other female characters in the book like Kokiden, held a significant amount of power in court; they were the mothers of the majority of emperors.
The way of life at court differed greatly from how lower-class Japanese people lived. Although men could typically come behind screens as they saw fit, adult women spent most of their life disguised behind screens and curtains while donning thick robes with flowing sleeves. Because a guy frequently sees a woman’s sleeves for the first time, they became a method of courtship. In addition, women’s hair was allowed to grow as long as possible.
People in court were expected to write poems for various occasions and interact with one another. A further taboo was the use of names; men were frequently referred to by their ranks, while women were known for the colors they often wore or their relationships with men. This, together with the Heian period Japanese’s exceedingly complicated grammatical structure, made the original book practically unintelligible even just 100 years after it was written; versions have been read since the twelfth century.
Historical Context
Heian Period (794–1185) Literature in The Tale of Genji
The Heian Era began in 794 when the imperial capital was transferred to Heian-Kyo, now known as Kyoto. Because of the developments in the arts, architecture, and religious practices during this time, it is known as Japan’s “Golden Era.” Heian women concentrated more on Japanese cultural traits while men studied the language and culture of China. The Heian court’s female authors developed a form of Japanese called kana that was influenced by male-dominated Chinese but was uniquely their own. Kana were frequently written in the elegant cursive script hiragana.
The court ladies wrote volumes of poetry, journal entries, and stories. Around this time, Japanese ladies wrote a lot about the court intrigues. Affairs were a common diversion, and many courtesans delighted in devising complex plans to seduce a potential lover and seal the deal. Women writers frequently described these intrigues in thinly veiled works that changed names and identities to avoid conflict or humiliation. ‘The Tale of Genji’ by Murasaki Shikibu and Makura no Soshi’s ‘The Pillow Book’ (about 1002), both written in diary form, are two early works that provide light on court life in Heian-era Japan (c. 1020).
Religion in the Heian Period
During Japan’s Heian Era, both Shinto and Buddhism were practiced. In addition to Shinto practices from Japan, Chinese Buddhism was also practiced in the Heian court. Buddhist rituals and ceremonies were a regular part of palace life, and complex ceremonies were held to mark occasions like illness, childbirth, sorrow, and possession. Moreover, adherents sought enlightenment to be freed from the cycle of reincarnation, in which karma determined one’s fate. Like much of Japan, the Heian court practiced Shinto. The kami deities of Shinto were considered to be embodiments of Buddhist deities. There were many Shinto shrines, and many rituals featured Gagaku performances that featured music and dances with Shinto themes. A clergy made up of nuns and monks oversaw the conduct of rites fusing the two religions. The Heian aristocracy frequently held positions of leadership in the clergy, and many of them retired from court life to become monks or nuns.
Cultural Context
Art in Heian Court
The Heian period’s aestheticism encouraged a flourishing of decorative arts, such as painting, sculpture, and music. Paintings in the Yamato-e style were very popular at this time. Yamato-e uses strong, thick layers of paint to create depth and texture. The majority of Heian era Yamato-e were painted on screens and walls; however, lesser pieces were also painted on scrolls. Yamato-e frequently shows foreground landscapes with tiny, unremarkable Japanese people. Yamato-e frequently drew scenes from poems or stories as inspiration for his illustrations. Many Yamato-e paintings employ the unusual technique of removing a building’s roof to give the observer a voyeuristic perspective from above.
Buddhist deities were the subject of the majority of Heian-era sculpture. The majority of it was ordered by the Fijuwara aristocracy, who loved color and fine workmanship. The media of choice were bronze and wood. Gold and jewels were used as inclusions in a style known as Kirikane. Wayo, which translates as “Japanese Style,” is the name of the sculpture created at this time.
Throughout the Heian Era, music played a significant role in daily life. Gagaku, which translates to “fine music,” was the name of the popular music and dance show that was performed at court and during events. Ancient Japanese melodies are performed in Gagaku by an ensemble made up of a mouth organ, lute, zither, oboe, flute, drum, and other instruments. Many commoners, as well as aristocrats and courtiers throughout the Heian period, could play musical instruments. Instrumental and vocal accompaniments were used in numerous Buddhist and Shinto rites.
Aristocracy
During the Heian Era (794–1185), the Fujiwara clan ruled the Japanese government. The Fujiwara family made it a habit of matching their daughters with imperial heirs to advance the political status of the dynasty. An emperor served as the head of the hierarchical structure that the Heian nobility created. Most of the administrative, political, and legal facets of the Japanese government were supervised by governors and graded advisors. Authorities were frequently married to multiple wives and were always wed. Kito no kata was the title given to legally acknowledged wives. Consorts were other women who were treated as wives but had a lower rank than the kito no kata. Several families made an effort to supply daughters as consorts to emperors and their relatives because they believed that the children of royal consorts were legitimate heirs. Heian courtesans were known for engaging in a lot of affairs. Concubines were unmarried women who were unofficially kept in a man’s household.
Aristocrats of the Heian period spent a lot of time taking part in and watching court rites and ceremonies. Males took part in competitions and other forms of entertainment, whereas women spent a significant amount of their free time maintaining their cleanliness and attractiveness. Both sexes took pleasure in creating art. It was standard practice to write stories and poems in calligraphy. Aristocrats were generally proficient musicians and painters. The pursuit of Miyabi, or the production of beauty on one’s own, was praised and admired.
Author’s Background
During Japan’s Heian period, Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973–1014) was a noblewoman and lady-in-waiting at the Heian court. She was well educated, a member of the powerful Fujiwara clan, and could speak Chinese fluently—a unusual ability for a woman in her time. Murasaki Shikibu’s famous work, “The Tale of Genji,” generally considered the world’s first novel, was inspired by her personal experiences, literary prowess, and insightful observations of court life.
Modern Relevance
“The Tale of Genji” continues to have a great influence on contemporary Japan and beyond, as seen in a number of educational and cultural traditions. Japanese school curricula incorporate Lady Murasaki’s writings, including this novel, to ensure that future generations are aware of their literary legacy. A scene from the novel was included on the 2000 yen banknote by the Bank of Japan as a way to pay tribute to its history and emphasize its cultural significance.
Honoring the classics of Japanese literature is closely linked to “The Tale of Genji.” Ever since the novel was first mentioned in “The Diary of Lady Murasaki,” on November 1, 1008, this day has been officially designated as a celebration of Japanese classics. By embracing a wide range of artistic mediums, including music, literature, tea ceremonies, flower arrangements, and other cultural customs, The Act on Classics Day expands the scope of this celebration.
Traditional pastimes and customs are also influenced by the text. For example, the titles of the chapters in “The Tale of Genji” are essential to the game Genjikō, which is played with incense and is a component of the greater Monkō custom that is favored by the nobles. In Genjikō, players must match the aromas of five incense samples to symbols that correspond to different story chapters, illustrating how the novel has been incorporated into a variety of cultural contexts.
