00:03
"The Tale of Genji" was written in the early 11th century during the Heian Period.
00:08
Spanning 54 chapters and introducing over 500 characters,
00:13
it is referred to as "the pinnacle of Japanese classical literature."
00:17
The novel has been translated into more than 30 languages and has many international fans.
00:23
The main setting is Heian Kyoto, when the imperial family and aristocrats ruled.
00:33
The story describes the lives, loves, and tribulations of the protagonist -
00:37
aristocrat Hikaru Genji - and his extended family.
00:45
The novel was popular in its written form at the imperial court.
00:49
Later, it appeared as illustrated scrolls.
00:52
In time, both forms became so famed that the tale influenced society and culture.
00:59
This story of 1000 years ago is still being read today.
01:04
This shows that people over the centuries were passionate about ensuring the tale lived on.
01:16
Some aspects of the Heian Period that the novel depicts survive and are seen in contemporary Kyoto.
01:28
The lavish dynastic culture of the times continues to inspire artisans and artists in their work.
01:43
Reading that millennium-old novel, I believe human emotions never change.
01:53
I don't think there is any other literature as profound as "The Tale of Genji."
02:04
Core Kyoto reveals the aesthetics of the ancient capital as shown in "The Tale of Genji."
02:28
The center of Kyoto is laid out on a grid pattern.
02:34
This harks back to the founding of the capital, called Heian-kyo, in 794.
02:45
The Greater Imperial Palace in the north held the emperor's residence and government offices.
02:55
Heian-kyo was the main stage for "The Tale of Genji."
02:57
Heian society was class based, with the emperor at its apex.
03:03
An aristocrat's success rested on family status and marriage.
03:13
Rozan-ji stands in what was the eastern corner of Heian-kyo.
03:18
This Buddhist temple was founded in the 10th century and moved to its current location in the 16th century.
03:29
In fact, the author of "The Tale of Genji" once lived where the temple is now located.
03:37
She is known by the name Murasaki Shikibu and was born into an aristocratic family.
03:42
Her father was a Chinese scholar and poet.
03:45
Murasaki is said to have been intelligent and erudite from her youth.
03:52
Murasaki Shikibu's stimulus for writing the novel was -
03:58
the death of her husband, Fujiwara no Nobutaka.
04:04
She is said to have begun to write, after he died.
04:11
Murasaki was lady-in-waiting to the emperor's wife,
04:14
and her writings were the start of what would become the epic novel, "The Tale of Genji" -
04:19
the original manuscript of which has not survived.
04:26
The protagonist Hikaru Genji was born the second son of the emperor.
04:31
He was the epitome of the ideal man: handsome, and gifted in the arts and learning.
04:36
But circumstances relegated him to a mere aristocrat.
04:42
Focusing on Genji's love affairs, the story depicts in detail the careers and culture of the aristocrats.
04:54
The 54 chapters of "The Tale of Genji" are divided into three main parts.
05:02
The first part recounts the birth of Hikaru Genji and his rise to power.
05:07
As he matures, he experiences liaisons with numerous women, tumultuous love-hate relationships, and power struggles.
05:19
At age three, Genji loses his mother, the emperor's wife, and has trouble coping with his loss.
05:26
Later, when the emperor remarries, Genji falls in love with his stepmother.
05:30
The resulting pregnancy is a pivotal event in the story.
05:37
In Part Two, after a prosperous life, Genji is cuckolded, and a child is conceived.
05:44
In his final years, he feels remorse for his past sins and struggles with the tragedy of his fate.
05:57
The third and final part relates the love and anguish of Genji's descendants.
06:08
Murasaki Shikibu writes of life's love, lust, jealousy, despair, and death through more than 500 characters.
06:25
Murasaki's delicate thoughts are scattered throughout.
06:31
Different scenes will stick out for different people depending on the era they live.
06:37
I think this is the reason the novel has been loved over the past 1000 years.
06:55
Some Kyotoites have made in-depth study of "The Tale of Genji" their purpose in life.
07:05
This study group meets monthly to carefully read and understand the novel, one chapter at a time.
07:14
Fukushima Shoji, a specialist in Heian literature, teaches the sessions.
07:21
He emphasizes the importance of reading between the lines to intuit the characters' thoughts and feelings,
07:27
while considering their social status and the historical backdrop.
07:32
"The Tale of Genji" is interesting, no matter what part you read.
07:36
Every part is meticulous in its description.
07:43
The writing reveals the truth in the human heart.
07:51
Fukushima can deeply relate to the scene where Genji temporarily leaves the capital after losing a power struggle.
08:00
Filled with disappointment, Genji's koto playing is tinged with loneliness.
08:05
At that moment, he realizes that his retainers cannot be cheerful if he shows his despondency.
08:15
Fukushima feels that the way Genji inspires himself to brighten up is the strength leaders need, even today.
08:26
His group meets at a store located on a Gion street lined with antique businesses.
08:35
Kaji Hiroko, who was born and raised into this antique-dealing family, hosts the meetings.
08:41
As an adult, she became captivated by the entertainment and depth of "The Tale of Genji."
08:48
This story of 1000 years ago is still being read today.
08:53
This shows that people over the centuries were passionate about ensuring the tale lived on.
09:03
The novel is scattered with happenings that could easily occur today.
09:09
It's most interesting to think that people don't change.
09:17
Kaji sympathizes with the psychological portrayal of a married woman who has a one-night stand with Genji.
09:24
Afterwards, Genji continues to make advances,
09:27
but she refuses to meet him, due to their different statuses, and flees.
09:33
Kaji feels that people's concern about their standing in the world is a constant throughout the ages.
09:44
The study group also attracts ardent fans from other prefectures.
09:52
With Fukushima's guidance, I was able to empathize with the complexity -
10:01
even darkness, of a woman's heart as only Murasaki could write since she was a woman.
10:11
Reader engagement is the sign of a good story,
10:14
so it is no wonder "The Tale of Genji" has become a classic.
10:34
Aspects of Heian-period culture as depicted in "The Tale of Genji" can still be seen in modern Kyoto.
10:44
The women's attire in illustrated versions of the novel never cease to be alluring.
10:53
The ensemble consisting of multiple layers of vivid kimono is called the "junihitoe."
11:06
It is rarely worn today, but one kimono store offers monthly classes in how to wear the Heian attire.
11:24
Kumagai Noriko teaches the fitting techniques and deportment required.
11:30
The "junihitoe" was worn by high-ranking noble women, who expressed their beauty through layered kimono.
11:47
The color combinations were countless and inspired by the colors of nature.
11:57
The gradation in this outfit evokes the red plum blossoms of spring.
12:06
Looking at the "junihitoe" tones, you can see the beauty of transition.
12:12
For example, as a flower bud comes into full bloom -
12:19
loses some strength, then falls, each petal changes in color.
12:26
Heian nobles incorporated this sense into their daily lives and attire.
12:35
It made them feel more lavish. That is the charm of the "junihitoe."
12:45
This layering depicts the maple leaves in transition until they drop.
12:56
This conjures the Japanese kerria bush, related to the rose.
13:08
The tones and colors of the kimono used in the classes,
13:11
express the changing seasons and their beauty as depicted in "The Tale of Genji."
13:17
Participants learn about the traditional combinations of color through mastering how to don the "junihitoe."
13:28
Many attend because they admire the elegant costumes featured in the illustrated versions of the novel.
13:39
I love the "junihitoe" so much I bought one. But when I received it -
13:45
I realized I didn't know how to wear it, so I immediately signed up for lessons.
13:52
I'm mastering the beauty of Japanese origins, so I'm able to enjoy the seasons more.
14:03
Kumagai teaches students how to dress others, as well as the related piousness that has existed since the Heian Period.
14:12
Basically, those who wore the "junihitoe" and other court attire were of high status -
14:18
so the fitters' comportment, consideration of others, and their spirituality, are relevant today.
14:30
I try to make sure my lessons do not focus only on technique.
14:41
The highest level of respect and decorum was required to dress people of noble standing.
14:53
Kumagai believes her students can learn consideration toward others through dressing in "junihitoe."
15:16
The scents featured in "The Tale of Genji" can still be enjoyed in contemporary Kyoto.
15:24
In this scene, Genji sits before an incense burner.
15:34
Heian nobility placed much value on fragrance.
15:38
Etiquette dictated that women were to remain out of direct sight by sitting, for example, behind a blind.
15:45
Hence, men and women conveyed their individuality using fragrance.
15:51
They would apply their personal aesthetic sense to mixing a unique incense.
15:58
They would burn it in their rooms and scent their kimono in the hope of attracting the person they desired.
16:09
This over-250-year-old aromatic wood store promulgates the Heian culture of fragrance as depicted in the novel.
16:20
Back in the day, several ingredients were powdered and kneaded into pastilles.
16:30
A burning piece of charcoal would be buried in ash, then a pastille placed on top.
16:38
The charcoal's heat would release the fragrance.
16:46
Nobles wore a unique fragrance they mixed themselves.
16:53
They'd burn the incense in a covered container and scent their clothes -
17:01
so they themselves could enjoy the fragrance.
17:08
Each aristocrat had his or her own recipe.
17:11
That is how widespread the use of fragrance was.
17:18
The store allows customers to experience kneading incense, like the Heian nobles did.
17:26
They use nine types of natural, aromatic ingredients
17:30
that have been pulverized from plants, animals, and shellfish, and blend them to suit their nose.
17:39
Lastly, they add syrup and knead them together.
17:49
Pastilles are part of Kyoto and Japanese culture -
17:54
and we want to spread that as wide as we can.
17:58
The custom is still practiced - and we want to keep it alive.
18:15
"The Tale of Genji" is a constant source of inspiration for culture in Kyoto.
18:26
Kaji Hiroko arranges for matcha and traditional confections to be served at the study sessions she hosts.
18:34
She specially orders the confections each month, and participants look forward to them.
18:47
We read each chapter in order -
18:53
so I arrange for sweets to match the chapter of the day.
19:00
Kaji consults with the confectioner to decide on a suitable sweet.
19:12
Takaya Hironori was born into a confectionery family that has been in the business since 1882.
19:19
He now runs his own confectionery store.
19:27
The theme of Kaji's sweets this time is paulownia flowers,
19:30
because a chapter with the word "paulownia" in its title is the subject of the next meeting.
19:41
Takaya sketches what the finished confection will look like as he discusses it with Kaji.
19:51
I just tell him what's in my head.
19:55
As the artisan, he offers suggestions on how he can achieve it, or scratches his head.
20:04
Takaya, though, comes through each time.
20:07
He manifested the paulownia flower confection by swirling shades of purple-dyed bean paste around a ball of adzuki-bean paste.
20:24
So far, Takaya and Kaji have formulated more than 70 confections inspired by specific episodes.
20:41
These represent the wheels of oxcarts.
20:50
The fireflies Genji released indoors are depicted in this chestnut confection.
21:04
A cat drove Genji mad in his twilight years, so these suggest cats' tails.
21:15
It challenges me.
21:19
I've done things I've never done before.
21:22
I tend to see things my way, so with input from Kaji -
21:30
I see things I would never have noticed on my own.
21:42
They're different every time. Every month is a pleasant surprise.
21:51
People are intrigued by the idea behind each. They find them delicious and unexpected.
21:59
They are a catalyst for everyone to share their thoughts with each other.
22:15
"The Tale of Genji" also inspires the world of crafts.
22:25
A golden aura glows from the heart of this piece.
22:32
In the epic novel, Genji's birth is described as "the birth of a prince resembling a pure, beautiful orb."
22:45
The artist rendered the image using glass and "kirikane."
22:53
Yamamoto Akane utilizes the age-old art of embellishment in unique ways.
23:01
"Kirikane" involves cutting delicate strips of gold and silver foil and applying them to objects.
23:15
"Kirikane" was originally used to enhance Buddhist paintings and statues,
23:19
but it adorns other crafts as well.
23:27
Yamamoto developed a unique technique of embedding "kirikane" into glass.
23:43
This work in progress shows how she applies a pattern in "kirikane" between the glass pieces, then fuses the pieces together.
23:57
If the "kirikane" surface doesn't fuse perfectly with the other glass surface,
24:04
you'll get bubbles and the glass will not adhere properly.
24:13
It's a really difficult process.
24:21
Since it is a time-consuming process prone to failure,
24:25
it can take her up to three years to complete some pieces.
24:34
Yamamoto has made creating "kirikane" glassworks inspired by "The Tale of Genji" a major part of her life's work.
24:45
I encountered "The Tale of Genji" in junior high, and I was really drawn into that world.
24:54
I've been a fan ever since.
25:02
Her shelves are packed with books related to the classic novel.
25:13
As I experience life, I notice more and more things between the lines.
25:22
I'm constantly learning.
25:27
It's like, how should I say, a mirror of myself. It's a little bit scary.
25:36
And I just can't get enough.
25:41
Fired by her passion, she began creating her "Tale of Genji kirikane" glass series in 2010.
25:55
"Kirikane" here depicts undulations within the glass.
25:59
A Heian woman's robe was the inspiration.
26:05
In the scene, the woman flees from Genji as he creeps toward her, leaving the robe behind.
26:20
This piece was inspired by the chapter in which Genji's beloved wife dies in his later years.
26:25
The motif depicts her soul being liberated in death and moving toward the heavens,
26:31
after years of suffering Genji's philandering.
26:43
Yamamoto has completed works covering 22 chapters.
26:52
I would like to hold an exhibition of all 54 chapters.
26:58
32 remain.
27:00
I wonder if I'll finish it before I die. I'm going to have to work harder.
27:15
"The Tale of Genji" has inspired culture in the ancient capital for a thousand years.
27:24
Hikaru Genji mourned for a little over a year after the death of his beloved wife.
27:32
He later entered a Buddhist monastery and died a monk.
27:39
"The Tale of Genji," which depicts the universality of the human condition,
27:44
will no doubt continue to capture the hearts of readers for centuries to come.
