Write a 2 page essay using the Tale of Genji to answer the question “What insights does this piece of Japanese literature give us on Japanese Culture?”

(Nimura 11

Actions were not as important as inner state and moods . The Tale of Genji also reflects this peculiarity of the epoch . Numerous s , small details and adoration of beauty show modern readers the attitudes peculiar to the time when The Tale of Genji was written

A survey of marriage and the relations between men and women of those times are very interesting for us . The concept of the marriage was quite different during those times in addition to the difference between the eastern and western approach . Genji can seem

a real Don Juan for modern readers as he meets several woman at the same time , he is unfaithful to his wives , does not follow social norms . But having relationships with several women was quite common for that time and Murasaki depicts him as a hero for being able to support several women . Genji passes all his adventures with a great dignity and follows his own moral norms and principles . He is described as a noble and aristocratic man who gives the example and way to follow for others . Genji seeks for harmony in self-perfection and cares about the destinies of other people . He puts the hopes and desires of other people above his interests and strikes for happiness for everyone (Bowring . But only highly developed and organized individual can influence the others and that makes the purpose of self-control of the main characters . Controlling yourself , your desires , dreams and hopes is a great sacrifice but great people do not see a sacrifice in it , as it is natural for them to care about the others , and I also think that self-control is a born natural quality of Genji

The Tale of Genji is not only a precious work of art . It is also a book that sketches the...