“The Tale of Genji: A Japanese Classic Illustrated”

Sometimes described as the world’s first psychological novel, The Tale of Genji is a classic of Japanese literature. Written in the 11th century by noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu, the story detailed intricacies of court life during the Heian period (794–1185) by focusing on the romantic life of Hikaru Genji, or “Shining Genji.” Once heir to the Imperial throne, he was cast out by his father, Emperor Kiritsubo, and forced to live as a commoner. Over the centuries, The Tale of Genji has inspired countless artworks in Japan—some 120 of which, spanning Shikibu's lifetime to the present, are exhibited here.