The Tale of Genji in Retro Chapter Chicks

Apr 13, 2021 Kristin rated it really liked it

Shelves: 4-stars, sino-japanese, ancient-creationto476, poetry

Amazing to think about how old this story is and yet it reads as a contemporary novel in terms of plot. There is a LOT of poetry and allusions to popular poetry of the time in the dialogue, which is difficult to follow at first, but once you get into the "mindset of the metaphors" (dew=crying, moon=Genji, burning salt = missing you, ect.) then you can absorb the meanings and enjoy the story.

In terms of plot, it has a sort of "soap-opera-esque" quality -- which makes sense as they were originally Amazing to think about how old this story is and yet it reads as a contemporary novel in terms of plot. There is a LOT of poetry and allusions to popular poetry of the time in the dialogue, which is difficult to follow at first, but once you get into the "mindset of the metaphors" (dew=crying, moon=Genji, burning salt = missing you, ect.) then you can absorb the meanings and enjoy the story.

In terms of plot, it has a sort of "soap-opera-esque" quality -- which makes sense as they were originally tales made up to entertain a Princess over a long period of time. This translation only has twelve of the original fifty-something chapters, and the translator explains why some chapters were left out (some were not even about Genji) and why he cut them off where he did.

Most chapters are about Genji's sexual conquests. And about "his" other women having "wet sleeves" (crying) about being neglected by him (except his "cold" wife who seems not to care if he's there or not, much to his self-inflated confusion). Roughly each chapter features him acquiring a new target and doing whatever it takes to "enjoy her" followed by the consequences.

(SPOILERS BELOW)

He seems to go wherever the wind takes him and appears not to care whether his "attentions" are welcomed or not. Some examples: a random girl in the village (he kidnaps her and she literally dies of fright afterwards); the Emperor's (aka. his father's) favorite consort, whom is at home sick (she becomes pregnant by Genji and could be killed for it); a young girl (the niece of his father's consort - basically kidnapped and groomed until Genji decides one day that she is "old enough"); a woman near sixty (she's a cougar and he considers her "too forward" but doesn't let that stop his curiosity); the younger sister of another consort who just happened to be there while the other was out (and who was suppose to be a gift for the Crown Prince); at some point, his widowed Aunt (by marriage) who has a young daughter (whom she entrusts to Genji after her death); and then, towards the end, he gets caught in bed with the younger sister of his father's consort (and this younger sister was supposed to be given as consort to his step-brother, who is now the new Emperor). So, for getting caught, he goes into exile on an island, but he manages to find the daughter of secluded monk and get her pregnant before he goes back to court, then basically forgets about her until she gives birth to a girl, which he plans to bring to court "some day".

The story ends with his return to court to find the "step-brother" born by his father's consort (aka. his son) is being adopted by his older step-brother, who is currently Emperor, to succeed him as he seems to have trouble conceiving children of his own. The tale ends (in this translation) after an art contest is held by Genji (now in charge of his Aunt's young daughter) and his best buddy (who has a daughter of his own), to try to sway the young Crown Prince into choosing their respective "daughters" as his consort. ----- Like I said, a soap-opera.... but a very poetic one.

Good for one read. Nice details about the way the court worked and the general atmosphere of the time. Also interesting just because of it being one of the first novels in literature. ...more

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