Invitation to The Tale of Genji: The Foundational Elements of Japanese Culture from edX

The Tale of Genji ( Genji Monogatari ) is a long-form narrative composed in Japan at the beginning of the eleventh century. It depicts relationships both harmonious and discordant among a wide cast of the men and women of the Heian court. These revolve around the many love affairs of the main character, the Shining Genji (Hikaru Genji).

The Tale of Genji is said to be the world’s first novel and a work of extended prose fiction. But the tale is not notable simply because it is old or long. It must be emphasized that this tale is the centerpiece of a long and vital literary practice with outsized cultural impact, inaugurated by a noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu and her female contemporaries at imperial court more than one thousand years ago.

Their active engagement in such literary productions represents a ground-breaking shift in human history. At the same time, we must not overlook the contribution The Tale of Genji made to the creation of culture in the eras that followed it. From Genji-themed pictures ( Genji-e ) and Genji-inspired noh dramas ( Genji nō ) to contemporary manga, films, and plays, examples of what we might call “Genji Culture” have continued to appear.

This course will give an overview of the story of The Tale of Genji with ample visual references to explain the daily court life, manners and customs, and aesthetic sensibilities, as well as the city (Kyoto), society, and systems that Japanese aristocrats developed a thousand years ago. As a result, students will gain a precise and sophisticated understanding of the world of the tale.

Furthermore, with The Tale of Genji and its reception history as a pivotal point, the course structure will enable participants to approach the foundations of Japanese culture and its spirituality that have been passed down from the ancient time.

*This program is supported by Global Japanese Studies Model Unit, Waseda University Top Global University Project. For more information, please visit here.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Lifestyles, manners and customs, and aesthetic sensibilities of the heian period (794-1185) nobility (with ample visual references)
The heian period city, spaces, society, and institutions

Introduction to the narrative of the tale of genji , and its unique language, including the poetry found throughout
The reception of the tale of genji and the development of “genji culture”

Lifestyles, manners and customs, and aesthetic sensibilities of the heian period (794-1185) nobility (with ample visual references)
The heian period city, spaces, society, and institutions
Introduction to the narrative of the tale of genji , and its unique language, including the poetry found throughout
The reception of the tale of genji and the development of “genji culture”

Syllabus

Section 1: Introducing the World of The Tale of Genji

1.1 Section 1 Overview

1.2 The Story of The Tale of Genji

1.3 The People We See in The Tale of Genji Scrolls

1.4 Section 1 Assignment

Section 2: People and their Lifestyles in The Tale of Genji

2.1 Section 2 Overview

2.2 The Life Cycles and Rites of Passage for the Nobility

2.3 The Heian Capital, the Inner Palace, and Annual Observances

2.4 Attire and Living Spaces

2.5 Section 2 Assignment

Section 3: The Emperor, Institutions, and Society in The Tale of Genji

3.1 Section 3 Overview

3.2 The Emperors and The Tale of Genji

3.3 The Age of Regency Rule

3.4 Governing Over Center and Periphery

3.5 Section 3 Assignment

Section 4: Japanese Culture as Seen in The Tale of Genji

4.1 Section 4 Overview

4.2 The Influence of The Tale of Genji as Seen in Waka Poetry

4.3 Japanese Culture Springing Up from The Tale of Genji

4.4 The Lasting Legacy of The Tale of Genji

4.5 Section 4 Assignment

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Learns history and culture by looking through the lens of the first ever novel

Suitable for learners interested in classics, Japanese culture, literature, and history

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Invitation to The Tale of Genji: The Foundational Elements of Japanese Culture with these activities:

Review Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji

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Review the background of The Tale of Genji to prepare for class.

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Read the first and last chapters of The Tale of Genji.
Research the author, Murasaki Shikibu, and her life during the Heian period.
Identify the main characters in the novel and understand their relationships to each other.

Watch a video tutorial on the history of the Heian period

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Watch short videos about the historical context surrounding the creation of The Tale of Genji.

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Find a video tutorial on the history of the Heian period.
Watch the video tutorial.

Attend a virtual workshop on Japanese literature

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Participate in a workshop that delves into Japanese themes and literary structures.

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Find a virtual workshop on Japanese literature.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop.

Five other activities

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Seek a tutor or mentor who specializes in Japanese literature

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Connect with an expert in the subject matter to provide personalized guidance and support.

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Identify potential tutors or mentors who specialize in Japanese literature.
Contact potential tutors or mentors to inquire about their availability and rates.

Begin compiling a timeline of events in The Tale of Genji

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Create a timeline that details key events of the work to improve understanding.

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Create a timeline with major events for The Tale of Genji.
Identify the main characters in the novel and understand their relationships to each other.

Write a character sketch of one of the main characters in The Tale of Genji

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Compose a brief outline of the protagonist to improve understanding of their characteristics.

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Choose a main character from The Tale of Genji.
Describe the character's personality, motivations, and relationships with other characters.

Translate a passage from The Tale of Genji from Japanese to English

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Interpret a section of the novel to practice reading comprehension of a literary work in a foreign language.

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Select a passage from The Tale of Genji in Japanese.
Translate the passage into English.
Check your translation against a published English translation.

Create a poster board presentation on the influence of The Tale of Genji

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Prepare a presentation that explores the cultural impact of The Tale of Genji.

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Research the influence of The Tale of Genji on Japanese culture.
Create a poster board presentation that includes images, text, and citations.

Career center

Learners who complete Invitation to The Tale of Genji: The Foundational Elements of Japanese Culture will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Professor of Japanese Literature

Professors of Japanese Literature teach about the works of Japanese authors. This includes historical authors, as well as contemporary ones. An understanding of The Tale of Genji can help you teach about its historical context, its reception history, and its influence on Japanese culture.

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Curator

Curators oversee collections of artifacts and art for museums and similar institutions. The Tale of Genji is relevant to many pieces of art in East Asian collections, and an understanding of its story, setting, and themes can be helpful for providing context and organizing exhibitions.

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Archivist

Archivists collect, catalog, and preserve important documents, artifacts, and other materials. This includes historical documents, such as manuscripts and letters. An understanding of The Tale of Genji can give you insight into the practices and institutions of 11th century Japan, and this knowledge may be useful in preserving and organizing historical materials.

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Historian

Historians research and write about the past. Many historians specialize in a particular subfield of history. For example, there are historians who specialize in Japanese history, and some of these historians focus on the Heian period. The Tale of Genji provides valuable historical information about the Heian period, and while historians of Japan are likely to be familiar with this text, your knowledge can still help inform your historical research.

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Japanese Translator

Japanese Translators translate spoken or written text from Japanese to English and from English to Japanese. They may work in a variety of fields, including business, education, and the nonprofit sector. The Tale of Genji is a demanding text to translate, as it uses a lot of outdated and uncommon terms. By studying The Tale of Genji, you can build a strong understanding of classical Japanese that will support your work translating in the future.

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Poet

Poets write poems, which may be published in literary magazines or anthologies, or performed at poetry readings or open mics. The Tale of Genji has been highly influential on the development of Japanese poetry and an understanding of this text can inform your own writing.

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Novelist

Novelists write novels, which are typically long, fictional prose narratives. The Tale of Genji is the earliest example of a novel and is still one of the most celebrated pieces of literature in the world. An understanding of this text can help you write your own novels, whether you are interested in writing historical fiction or contemporary fiction.

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Editor

Editors review, correct, and improve written content. They make sure that written content is accurate, consistent, and readable. Editors also oversee the production and publication of books, articles, magazines, and other written materials. An understanding of The Tale of Genji and its literary conventions can help you as you edit works of Japanese literature in translation, or other works that engage with Japanese literature.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news stories for newspapers, magazines, and other publications. They also give interviews about current events. An understanding of the Heian period and the world of The Tale of Genji can provide you with context and background that will assist you in reporting and interviewing scholars and historians.

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Librarian

Librarians help library patrons find and access information. They also manage the day-to-day activities of libraries, which include selecting, ordering, and cataloging new books and other materials. An understanding of The Tale of Genji can prepare you for helping patrons with inquiries related to Japanese literature and Heian period Japan.

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Teacher

Teachers educate students, creating lesson plans and helping students learn. They may teach a variety of subjects, such as English, Math, history, or science. An understanding of The Tale of Genji may be useful for teachers of Japanese or world literature. It can help you provide context for your students and bring the Heian period to life for them.

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Lawyer

Lawyers provide legal advice and representation to clients. This may be in the areas of criminal law, civil law, or family law. An understanding of The Tale of Genji can help you develop your research and legal reasoning skills.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts assess an organization's operations, analyze data to identify areas for improvement, and recommend solutions. An understanding of Japanese literature and culture may be helpful for business analysts working for Japanese companies.

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IT Consultant

IT Consultants work with organizations to improve their technology systems. They analyze current systems, make recommendations for improvements, and manage the implementation of new systems. An understanding of The Tale of Genji is unlikely to be directly relevant to your work, but it may help you to develop creative solutions to problems and to build strong relationships with Japanese clients.

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Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the planning, execution, and closure of projects. They make sure that projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. An understanding of Japanese literature is unlikely to be directly relevant to your work as a project manager, but it can help you develop your relationship management and interpersonal skills, which are essential to success in this role.

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