Lady Murasaki Shikibu, born in the year 978, was a member
of the famed Fujiwara clan-one of the most influential families of
the Heian period. Her literary ability quickly won her a place in
the entourage of the Empress Akiko. After the death of her husband,
Murasaki Shikibu immersed herself in Buddhism, and the religion's
influences permeate her writing.
Arthur Waley (1889-1966) taught himself Chinese and Japanese
after being appointed Assistant Keeper of Oriental Prints and
Manuscripts at the British Museum. He went on to become renowned as
one of the most respected translators of Asian classics into
English of his time. His translated works include The Noh Plays of
Japan and Monkey.
"While Tyler's version, which attempts to capture the social and
political nuance of Murasaki's language, is the best choice for
scholars, Waley's remains the most attractive and accessible for
the general reader." —Library Journal
"The Tale of Genji, as translated by Arthur Waley, is written with
an almost miraculous naturalness, and what interests us is not the
exoticism—the horrible word—but rather the human passions of the
novel. Such interest is just: Murasaki's work is what one would
quite precisely call a psychological novel. I dare to recommend
this book to those who read me." —Jorge Luis Borges, The Total
Library
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