Review of the modern translation of the Tale of GenjiReview of the modern translation of the Tale of Genji

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"To you shining" review as much as you want

2024.12.30

Read the Tale of Genji once and for all! Recommended modern translations of the Tale of Genji and related book reviews

I think many people who enjoyed the NHK Taiga drama "To You Who Shines" have wanted to read "The Tale of Genji." Many people say that they can't read the original text and want to start with a modern translation, but there are so many translations that they don't know which one to choose, and it seems difficult.

 

 

So, M-san and N-ko, who are members of the Literature Department of Premium Japan and were in charge of the 2024 "Hikaru Kimi e Suru Suru Review", will review the recommended modern translations of "The Tale of Genji" that you can finally read through. We will tell you about the characteristics of each translation. We will also introduce related books that will be useful as references.




The more you read, the more interesting it becomes. Enter the world of The Tale of Genji.




Highly recommended for M-men. Restructured and much easier to read.

Seiko Tanabe "New Tale of Genji"


New Tale of Genji by Seiko Tanabe New Tale of Genji by Seiko Tanabe

Seiko Tanabe's "New Tale of Genji" Volumes 990, XNUMX, and XNUMX are XNUMX yen each. Published by Shinchosha. E-books are also available.


M-san's favorite modern translation is Tanabe Seiko's "New Tale of Genji."



The title "New Tale of Genji" has a meaning.

 

 

Normally, the novel is made up of 54 volumes, including "Kiritsubo," "Haoki," "Utsusemi," "Yugao," etc., but Tanabe Seiko has "deconstructed" the order of the stories and reconstructed them to make them easier to read.

 

In The Tale of Genji, the first volume, "Kiritsubo," depicts the tragic love story between Hikaru Genji's mother, Kiritsubo no Saiki, and the Emperor, but Tanabe's translation begins with a chapter called "The Utsusemi Chapter of a Sleepless Night."

 

The "Utsusemi" chapter is the third after "Kiritsubo." In other words, the story begins with Hikaru Genji having already reached adulthood. Let's take a look.



From the beginning of "The Sleepless Night's Utsusemi Chapter" ─────────────────────

Genji himself finds it amusing that people around the world give him nicknames like "Hikaru Genji" and praise him as a frivolous, sex-obsessed nobleman. He is, in truth, a diligent and serious-minded young man. He does not waste his days in the usual love affairs here and there, like the average lecher of the world.

 

Due to his status as the son of the Emperor, his official rank as Lieutenant General, and the intentions of the Left Minister's family, he refrained from indulging in rash and frivolous affairs.

(Somewhat)

 

And yet, the reason he was spoken of as a man of refined tastes in the world was probably due to people's (especially women's) admiration and dreams. His good looks and his poetic upbringing - his tragic fate with the Emperor and the late Kiritsubo no Koi - seemed to intrigue people.

 

─────From "New Tale of Genji" by Seiko Tanabe


Tanabe's translation, which begins with Utsusemi, the original third volume, makes a bold restructuring by naturally incorporating the episode surrounding Hikaru Genji's birth.

 

 

It is true that while "Kiritsubo" is easy to read, the pace starts to slow down after the second volume, and many people drop out. The reason for this is that the 2 chapters of "The Tale of Genji" are a story that is difficult to grasp as being clearly connected.

 

 

It is well known that Seiko Tanabe herself has been a huge fan of The Tale of Genji since she was a young girl. Having read it so thoroughly, she must have been well aware of what parts were interesting and difficult to understand. By deconstructing and reconstructing the 54 chapters, each volume is clearly connected, making the story easy to read and interesting.



If there is one drawback, it is that since it has been broken down and not divided into 54 volumes, you may not be able to relate to people who have read it in order. However, you can still get a good idea of ​​what the story is about as a whole.

 

 

If you have repeatedly given up on modern translations of The Tale of Genji, I recommend Tanabe's translation. You will definitely be able to continue reading this one.



Highly recommended by N-san. You'll be engrossed in it, just like reading "The Rose of Versailles"!

The Tale of Genji (A. Waley's version) translated by A. Waley, Marie Mariya, and Megumi Moriyama



The Tale of Genji (A. Waley edition) The Tale of Genji (A. Waley edition)

"The Tale of Genji: A. Waley's Edition vols. 3,520-XNUMX" translated by A. Waley, Marie Mariya, and Megumi Moriyama, XNUMX yen each, published by Sososha. E-books are also available.



N-san was shocked when she first read it. She had no idea that there was such a modern translation of Genji! It was a completely new modern translation, unlike the translations she had read up until then by Jun'ichiro Tanizaki, Akiko Yosano, or Mitsuyo Kakuta.

 

 

In 1925, A. Waley, a British author, was the first person in the world to translate The Tale of Genji into English.The translation, translated back into Japanese by sisters Marie Mariya and Megumi Moriyama, is a modern translation known as a "spiral translation."

 

 

At that time, Westerners had no knowledge of Japan, especially of 1000 years ago. But Waley, who wanted to translate and share this story, carefully made each part "Victorian"... Please take a look!



From the beginning of "Kiritsubo" ─────────────────────

This is a story that takes place in the court of a certain emperor, at some point in time.

 

There were many ladies serving in the harem, such as the Lady of the Wardrobe and the Lady of the Bedchamber, but among them was one woman who enjoyed the Emperor's undivided favorite.

(Somewhat)

The Emperor's First Prince is the son of Lady Kokiden, the daughter of the Minister of the Right. He was expected to become the Crown Prince one day and was worshipped by everyone. Unfortunately, however, he is not as beautiful as the newborn prince. In addition, the Emperor's great favor for her is so great that the Emperor thinks in his heart that this prince is his heir. But unfortunately, no matter how much he loves her and how noble a Great Lady she is, she is of a lower status than the other ladies who serve the Emperor at the Palace.

 

────The Tale of Genji, A. Waley, translated by Marie Mariya and Megumi Moriyama."Than



Waley's translation does not neglect the original text in any way. It carefully recreates the Heian period setting as the English court. It does not lose the charm of the original text, but rather makes the story stand out more and penetrates our hearts more deeply, almost like a spell.



The lady in the wardrobe is Kiritsubo no Koi. You can see an image of a noblewoman in a dress, not a twelve-layered kimono. The familiar "Kiritsubo" seems like a scene from the Victorian court.

 

 

And the wonder of being drawn into the story. My hands are turning the pages faster and faster. I want to know what happens next. What about the Lady? What about the Emperor? What about the Young Prince...? It reminds me of when I was a girl and was engrossed in reading the manga "The Rose of Versailles". The Waley translation has that same excitement and immersion.



What I find wonderful about Waley's translation is his understanding of Chinese literature. Murasaki Shikibu skillfully incorporates earlier Chinese literature, such as Bai Juyi's "Song of Everlasting Regret." Perhaps this is because Waley translated Chinese literature by Bai Juyi and Li Bai before translating "The Tale of Genji." I can sense his respect for the original work, "The Tale of Genji."

 

 

 

Waley's translation was published in 1925 (Taisho 14). Waley never visited Japan. He was a genius who taught himself Chinese and Japanese. Thanks to his translation of The Genji into English, the world learned that there was a full-length novel written by a woman in Japan 1000 years ago.



And I would like to thank the sisters Mariya Marie and Moriyama Megumi for their new translation. I really love "Genji". Please enjoy this immersive experience.





Other recommended works: Modern translations of The Tale of Genji, part 1
Jakucho Setouchi "Jakucho: The Tale of Genji




Jakucho: The Tale of Genji Jakucho: The Tale of Genji

Written by Jakucho Setouchi"Jakucho: The Tale of Genji" 2,970 yen, published by Kodansha. Also available as an e-book.



The modern translation recommended for M-men is the version by Jakucho Setouchi. "It's written in a very beautiful way and leaves a lasting impression." Although there are some parts that are strongly dramatized, it is fairly faithful to the original.



In an essay she contributed to the monthly newsletter for Mitsuyo Kakuta's version of The Tale of Genji, Jakucho Setouchi wrote that she began to seriously tackle The Tale of Genji when she was in her 70s. "My translation of Genji was a success beyond my wildest dreams. To be more specific, the only thing that has allowed me to survive to the age of XNUMX is the financial support I receive from my translation of The Tale of Genji."

 

 

I think this is a reflection of the large number of people who want to somehow read and understand "The Tale of Genji," and I am surprised that even a prolific author like Jakucho Setouchi relies on translating "The Tale of Genji" into modern Japanese for income.

 

Other recommended works: Modern translations of The Tale of Genji, Part 2
Mitsuyo Kakuta "The Tale of Genji

Mitsuyo Kakuta Mitsuyo Kakuta

Written by Mitsuyo KakutaThe Tale of Genji [Complete 8 Volume Set] 7,040 yen, published by Kawade Bunko.



The modern Japanese translation of Mitsuyo Kakuta's work is included in the "Complete Works of Japanese Literature" personally edited by Natsuki Ikezawa. Premium Japan also conducted an interview with Ms. Kakuta. She said that she didn't think she could do it, but she couldn't turn down the request from Natsuki Ikezawa, who is a big fan of hers, so she decided to accept.

 

 

The Genji is said to be difficult to understand because it has no subject and is a mixture of honorifics, humble language, and double honorifics, but Kakuta's version includes a subject and aims to write in words that we use every day today. Thanks to this, it can be read easily, just like a modern novel. It has been designed so that modern people can read it to the end while maintaining the rhythm of modern language.

 

(Click here to read the interview with Tsunoda-san. Interview with Mitsuyo Kakuta (Part 1)/ Part 2 of the interview)

 

Apparently, orders were flooding in every time the taiga drama "Hikaru Kimi e" aired. It shows that there are many book lovers who think they can finish reading Gen Kakuta's books.



Other recommended works: Modern translations of The Tale of Genji, part 3
Junichiro Tanizaki, "The Tale of Genji, translated by Junichiro" 



Complete set of 5 volumes (Chuko Bunko) Complete set of 5 volumes (Chuko Bunko)

Junichiro Tanizaki"The Tale of Genji, translated by Junichiro, complete set of 5,500 volumes," XNUMX yen, Chuokoron-Shinsha Bunko.



It is the closest to the original text. It has the most beautiful and elegant atmosphere. But it is also difficult to read...that is the characteristic of Tanizaki's Genji. If you like works based on classics such as Tanizaki Junichiro's "Shunkinsho" and "Blind Tale", this might be a good choice...N-chan thinks that Tanizaki was able to write "Sisters of the Makioka Sisters" because he translated Genji. It is said that the style of "Sisters of the Makioka Sisters" was obtained by translating Genji. As a fan of "Sisters of the Makioka Sisters", N-chan would like you to read Tanizaki's Genji and enjoy its atmosphere.

 

 

Tanizaki translated The Tale of Genji three times in his life. Jakucho Setouchi has confessed that the modern translation of The Tale of Genji had a big impact on her income, and I think the same was true for Tanizaki. The work of translating The Tale of Genji into modern Japanese has an impact on novelists and also changes their financial situation. I think it is a really formidable work.



Other recommended works: Modern translations of The Tale of Genji, part 4
Mariko Hayashi "The Tale of Genji (Novel) STORY OF UJI


Mariko Hayashi "The Tale of Genji" Mariko Hayashi "The Tale of Genji"

"Novel Tale of Genji STORY OF UJI" by Hayashi Mariko, 737 yen, Shogakukan Bunko.


There are many people who say they love the Uji Juyoshu, but on the other hand, the glamor of the previous chapters has faded and the Uji Juyoshu has a darker impression. I was not a big fan of the Uji Juyoshu either, but I thought this one was good, so I would like to introduce it to you.

 

Mariko Hayashi has written "Rokujo no Miyasudokoro Genji tari" and "Novel Tale of Genji STORY OF UJI" which focuses on the Uji chapter. Like Seiko Tanabe's translation, it is a work that deconstructs and reconstructs the Tale of Genji.



I didn't like the Uji Jujojo because it was full of a depressing atmosphere. But I thought this Uji Jujojo was good. When I read about Kaoru's dark secret about his birth that he seems to have and his cold gaze towards women, I feel like I'm dipping my feet in the cold water of the Uji River, and my heart grows cold. It's not very elegant, but I like the coolness of it.

 

This is a work that I would recommend to anyone, even if they aren't particularly fond of the Uji Juyoshu.



A review of related books that will deepen your understanding of the world of The Tale of Genji: Part 1
"Reading the Tale of Genji with a Heian Mind" by Junko Yamamoto






Reading the Tale of Genji with a Heian Mind Reading the Tale of Genji with a Heian Mind

"Reading the Tale of Genji with a Heian Mind" by Junko Yamamoto, 1,650 yen, published by Asahi Sensho. Also available as an e-book.



N-san thought, I wish I had an ancho book like this (is that a dead word?) when I was in high school. From chapter 1, "Kiritsubo," to chapter 54, "Yume no Ukihashi," the plot of each volume is compactly summarized, and the events and main themes of each volume are explained.

 

The chapter structure is easy to understand. The 54 chapters of The Tale of Genji are roughly divided into chapters: Chapter XNUMX - The First Half of Hikaru Genji's Life, Chapter XNUMX - Hikaru Genji's Later Years, Chapter XNUMX - After Hikaru Genji's Death, and Chapter XNUMX - The Ten Chapters of Uji, allowing you to get an overview of the work.



For example, in "Reading Kiritsubo with a Heian Heart," after the synopsis, there is a section called "How the Emperor and His Ladies Loved in the Harem." This is an explanation of the imperial marriage system. It is explained together with the state of the harem at the time "The Tale of Genji" was written.

 

 

 

There are many points in Junko Yamamoto's commentary that match the story of "To You, the Shining One," and I wonder if the NHK producers, and perhaps even Shizuka Oishi, used it as a reference.

 



It can be read as a reference book, and I also recommend it to those who have given up on the modern translation but would like to know the overall picture of the story.



A review of books related to "The Tale of Genji" that will deepen your understanding of the world of the story ②
"Murasaki Shikibu and Fujiwara no Michinaga" by Kazuhiro Kuramoto



Murasaki Shikibu and Fujiwara no Michinaga Murasaki Shikibu and Fujiwara no Michinaga

"Murasaki Shikibu and Fujiwara no Michinaga" by Kazuhiro Kuramoto, 1,320 yen, published by Kodansha Gendai Shinsho. Also available as an e-book.



Kazuhiro Kuramoto was the person in charge of historical research for "To You Who Shines". As a historian, he values ​​the facts that can be read from historical records and makes it a point to clearly distinguish and consider uncertain matters.

 

 

He wrote clearly that, as a researcher of the Heian period, he was delighted when it was decided that Murasaki Shikibu and Michinaga would be the main characters of the taiga drama, but he did not want the story to take on a life of its own and for people to be misunderstood as the people portrayed in the drama.

 

 

As someone who researches historical accuracy, I can't help but think he must have been surprised when he heard that Mahiro was going to be working as a scrivener.



The book covers Murasaki Shikibu and Michinaga's early years, their marriage, Emperor Kazan and Emperor Ichijo, the process of the creation of The Tale of Genji, and their later years. Many researchers of Japanese literature studying the Heian period have also studied Murasaki Shikibu, but Professor Kuramoto is quite critical of the content of that research. I learned that historical researchers and literary researchers often have completely different views.

 

 

In front of two works of fiction, "The Tale of Genji" and "To You, Shining," this book piles up facts and sheds light on the fiction. It makes you feel like you've studied a lot, but don't worry, it's not difficult at all.

 

 

I watched "To Your Hikaru Kimi" after learning about the actual Heian period here, so learning about historical facts that were not fully depicted in the drama made it even more interesting to watch.

 



Thank you for completing the review of "To You Who Shines"



It's been a year since M-san and N-san, both graduates of the Japanese Literature Department, decided to do a weekly review of "To You, Shining" by chance. We never thought we would actually be able to finish it. We are surprised.

 

 

There were a few times when I felt like giving up, but thanks to the fact that there are many readers who love literature and history, and the number of people telling me how much they are looking forward to this review, I was able to reach the final episode.

 

 

 

Activities as the Premium Japan Literature Club are taking a break, but N-san is once again daydreaming about hosting a reading group or similar gathering of literature lovers in the near future.

 

 

I hope to continue providing opportunities for people to enjoy light literature from time to time. Thank you very much for your patronage over the past year.





















































































































































































































































































































































































































What is the review of “To Shining You”?

"Premium Japan Literature Club" (exaggeration) was formed by people who love literature within the Premium Japan editorial department. For literature lovers, the 2024 taiga drama ``Hikaru Kimi e'' was a perfect opportunity to discuss this and that. Volunteers from the editorial department will continue to freely review articles. Editor S and Editor N reviewed the differences between historical facts and dramas, a deep dive into foreshadowing, and more!

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