Murasaki Shikibu (Lady Murasaki)

Lady Murasaki lived Around973-1025 CE

During the Japanese Golden Age

Kyoto, Japan

Lady Murasaki was known to live in Kyoto, Japan in her adult life.

Author of the First Novel

Lady Murasaki is known for being the author of the first novel ever written, The Tale of Genji.

The book was written just after 1000 CE.

Lady Murasaki was a well known writer in the Japanese Heian period.

How She Got Her Name

Lady Murasaki was born into life in the royal court.

Part of her name came from the position of office her father held. (Shikibu)

Her name then changed to Murasaki, based off of a character in her book.

Logo of the Fujiwara clan

Family Facts

Lady Murasaki’s father was part of the Fujiwara clan that was the most powerful part of the royal court.

Her father was also the governer of Echizen Province when she was born.

Lady Murasaki also had a brother.

Murasaki’s grandfather was a poet.

Lady Murasaki’s family was Buddhist.

1008-1010 CE

Lady Murasaki kept a diary about her times in the imperial court while she worked for the Japanese empress Akiko as a young woman.

The diary is thought to be inspiration for The Tale of Genji.

The Tale of Genji

The Tale of Genji has 54 chapters.

It also has six parts.

The Tale of Genji was considered the first novel because of its length and realistic background.

Adult Life

Lady Murasaki’s husband was an elderly relative of hers, who died in 1001 CE.

They had their only daughter in 999 CE.