Reading about The Tale of Genji, published before 1021 and authored by the noblewoman, poet and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. It is one of the world’s first novels and the first by a woman. What an epic story about the life and romances (note plural!) of Prince Genji.
Illustration for Chapter 5 “Wakamurasaki” by Tosa Mitsuoki (1617-91). Murasaki is the main heroine who first appears as a 10-year-old girl. The name means “purple” and is often translated as “lavender” or “violet”. It has a deeper purple shade compared to wisteria.
Interesting how @yourlibraryltd has print and digital editions by two different translators. Also @library_vic has 17th century manuscript of The Tale of Genji (condensed edition) as well as colour woodblock prints of Masao Ebina’s illustrations for the book’s 54 chapters. Awesome.
(Day 1, #WarmWinterRead #WWR25 via @librarieschangelives)
Voices under the Sun 陽光下的聲音 