『源氏物語』へのいざない from edX

The Tale of Genji is said to be the world's oldest full-length story, but it is not just old and long. What should be emphasized above all is that, 1,000 years ago, women such as Murasaki Shikibu were at the center of a great cultural project: the creation of literature with a long life.

The success of these women was an epoch-making event in human history.

On the other hand, we cannot overlook the fact that The Tale of Genji is encouraging the creation of the next generation of culture. From Genji-e and Genji Noh to modern manga, movies, and theater, a variety of cultures that can be called ``Genji culture'' continue unbroken.

This course not only introduces the contents of "The Tale of Genji," said to be the world's oldest full-length story, but also covers the lives, customs, and aesthetic sense of Japanese aristocrats 1,000 years ago, as well as the cities and society of that time. , systems, etc., we place emphasis on using materials to explain them. Therefore, students will be able to grasp the world of stories concretely and three-dimensionally.

At the same time, by focusing on The Tale of Genji and the history of its reception, we hope that participants will be able to approach the foundations of Japanese culture that have continued since ancient times, or the roots of Japanese culture's spirituality. It has been constructed.

*This course is produced by the "Top Global University Creation Support Project - Waseda University International Center for Japanese Studies." Learn more about .

*This course has a Japanese version and an English version, and the content is the same. If you would like to take the course in English, please click here .

What's inside

Learning objectives

Introduction to “the tale of genji” and the characteristics of its expressions, including waka poems
The lifestyle, customs, aesthetic sense, etc. of the aristocrats of the heian period

Heian period cities, spaces, society, institutions, etc.
Reception of “the tale of genji” and development of “genji culture”

Introduction to “the tale of genji” and the characteristics of its expressions, including waka poems
The lifestyle, customs, aesthetic sense, etc. of the aristocrats of the heian period
Heian period cities, spaces, society, institutions, etc.
Reception of “the tale of genji” and development of “genji culture”

Syllabus

Section 1: Visualizing the world of “The Tale of Genji”

1.1 Section 1 Overview

1.2 Story content of “The Tale of Genji”

1.3 People seen in “National Treasure: The Tale of Genji Emaki”

1.4 Section 1 Test

1.5 Section 1 Report

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

2.1 Section 2 Overview

2.2 Life cycle of aristocrats

2.3 Heiankyo, Dairi, and annual events

2.4 Costume and living space

2.5 Section 2 Tests

2.6 Section 2 Report

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

3.1 Section 3 Overview

3.2 The Emperors and “The Tale of Genji”

3.3 Era of regent politics

3.4 Central and local governance system

3.5 Section 3 Tests

3.6 Section 3 Report

Section 4: Japanese culture seen through “The Tale of Genji”

4.1 Section 4 Overview

4.2 The influence of “The Tale of Genji” seen through waka poetry

4.3 Japanese culture brought about by “The Tale of Genji”

4.4 Inheritance from The Tale of Genji

4.5 Section 4 Tests

4.6 Section 4 Report

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for learners without existing knowledge and beginners who want to understand the fundamentals of Japanese literature and culture

Delves into historical aspects of Japanese culture and the Heian period

Can assist interested learners in appreciating classic Japanese literature

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 『源氏物語』へのいざない with these activities:

Review Japanese grammar

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This course requires a solid foundation in Japanese grammar. Taking some time to review Japanese grammar will help you succeed in this course.

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Review basic grammar concepts, such as particles, verbs, and adjectives.
Practice translating sentences from Japanese to English and vice versa.

Review Japanese history

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This course covers some Japanese history. Taking some time to review Japanese history will help you succeed in this course.

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Review major events in Japanese history, such as the Meiji Restoration and the World Wars.
Learn about important figures in Japanese history, such as Emperor Meiji and General MacArthur.

Read about the Heian period

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Background knowledge of the Heian period will boost your understanding of The Tale of Genji.

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Find a reputable website or article about the Heian period.
Read the article thoroughly, taking notes on important information.

Nine other activities

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Read The Tale of Genji

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The Tale of Genji is the central text of this course. Reading it will give you a deep understanding of the material we will cover.

View The Tale of Genji on Amazon

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Read the first few chapters to get a sense of the story and characters.
Keep a journal as you read, noting your thoughts and impressions.

Attend a lecture or workshop on Japanese culture

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Attending a lecture or workshop on Japanese culture will give you a deeper understanding of the context of The Tale of Genji.

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Find a lecture or workshop on Japanese culture.
Attend the lecture or workshop.

Write a summary of a chapter from The Tale of Genji

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Writing a summary is an excellent way to process and retain the events and themes of the book.

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Choose a chapter from The Tale of Genji.
Read the chapter carefully.
Identify the main events and themes.
Write a summary of the chapter, including the main events and themes.

Discuss The Tale of Genji with classmates

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Discussing the book with others can help you gain different perspectives and deepen your understanding.

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Find a study group or online forum where you can discuss The Tale of Genji.
Participate in discussions, sharing your thoughts and insights.

Practice translating Japanese texts

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Translating Japanese texts will help you develop your reading comprehension and writing skills.

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Find a short Japanese text to translate.
Translate the text into English, paying attention to grammar and vocabulary.
Check your translation against a native speaker or online resource.

Join a study group to discuss The Tale of Genji

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Discussing The Tale of Genji with other students will help you understand the material more deeply.

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Find a study group to join.
Attend study group meetings regularly.
Participate in discussions and share your insights.

Write a summary of a chapter of The Tale of Genji

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Summarizing a chapter of The Tale of Genji will help you understand the plot and characters in more detail.

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Read a chapter of The Tale of Genji.
Identify the main events and characters in the chapter.
Write a summary of the chapter, including the main events and characters.

Create a presentation on a topic related to The Tale of Genji

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Creating a presentation will help you develop your research, communication, and presentation skills.

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Choose a topic related to The Tale of Genji.
Research your topic and gather information.
Create a presentation that includes slides, images, and text.
Practice your presentation.

Create a study guide for the course

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Creating a study guide will help you organize your notes and review the material for the course.

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Gather your notes, assignments, and other materials from the course.
Organize the materials into a logical order.
Create a study guide that includes key concepts, definitions, and examples.

Career center

Learners who complete 『源氏物語』へのいざない will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Japanese Professor

Japanese Professors teach Japanese literature, language and culture at the post-secondary level. They may also conduct research in these areas or lead study abroad programs. This course may be useful for those who wish to teach Japanese literature at a college or university. It provides an overview of the work of Murasaki Shikibu, one of the most important figures in Japanese literature. The course also covers the history of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is the setting for The Tale of Genji.

See salaries and explore the career path for Japanese Professor

Museum curator

Museum Curators oversee the day-to-day operations of museums and historical sites. They may also conduct research on museum collections, design exhibits and educational programs, and manage museum budgets. This course may be useful for those who wish to work in a museum setting. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is the setting for The Tale of Genji. The course also covers the history of Japanese art and architecture, which are often featured in museum collections.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Cultural Anthropologist

Cultural Anthropologists study the behavior, beliefs, and practices of different cultures. They may work in academia, government, or non-profit organizations. This course may be useful for those who wish to work in the field of cultural anthropology. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is a period of great cultural and artistic significance. The course also covers the history of Japanese religion and philosophy, which are important aspects of Japanese culture.

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Historian

Historians research and write about the past. They may work in academia, government, or museums. This course may be useful for those who wish to work as historians of Japan. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is a period of great historical importance. The course also covers the history of Japanese politics and economics, which are important aspects of Japanese history.

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Sociologist

Sociologists study the behavior and interactions of people in society. They may work in academia, government, or non-profit organizations. This course may be useful for those who wish to work as sociologists. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is a period of great social change. The course also covers the history of Japanese family and kinship, which are important aspects of Japanese society.

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Librarian

Librarians help people find and use information. They may work in public libraries, school libraries, or academic libraries. This course may be useful for those who wish to work as librarians. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is a period of great literary and artistic activity. The course also covers the history of Japanese printing and publishing, which are important aspects of librarianship.

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Archivist

Archivists manage and preserve historical documents and records. They may work in libraries, museums, or government agencies. This course may be useful for those who wish to work as archivists. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is a period of great historical importance. The course also covers the history of Japanese writing and calligraphy, which are important aspects of archival work.

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Tour Guide

Tour Guides lead groups of people on tours of historical sites and other attractions. They may work for travel agencies, museums, or historical societies. This course may be useful for those who wish to work as tour guides. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is a period of great historical and cultural significance. The course also covers the history of Japanese architecture and gardens, which are often featured on tours.

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Cultural Heritage Manager

Cultural Heritage Managers oversee the preservation and protection of cultural heritage sites and artifacts. They may work for government agencies, museums, or non-profit organizations. This course may be useful for those who wish to work as cultural heritage managers. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is a period of great cultural and artistic significance. The course also covers the history of Japanese conservation and restoration techniques.

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Museum Educator

Museum Educators develop and deliver educational programs for museum visitors. They may work in museums, historical sites, or other cultural institutions. This course may be useful for those who wish to work as museum educators. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is a period of great cultural and artistic activity. The course also covers the history of Japanese education and pedagogy.

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Journalist

Journalists write and report on news and current events. They may work for newspapers, magazines, or websites. This course may be useful for those who wish to work as journalists. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is a period of great historical and political change. The course also covers the history of Japanese journalism and media.

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Translator

Translators convert written or spoken text from one language to another. They may work for businesses, governments, or international organizations. This course may be useful for those who wish to work as translators. It provides an overview of Japanese culture and society during the Heian period, which is a period of great literary and artistic activity. The course also covers the history of Japanese translation and interpretation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Translator