Tales of Genji
Manpreet Singh
10/10/2010
Literature of Japan
Mary Diaz
The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu deals heavily with Japanese religions and its influence on Japanese society. Themes of jealousy, responsibility and guilt are also mixed in with the religious themes. Religions and ideals clash through the course of the novel. Shikibu focused on the two religions of Buddhism and Shinto. Buddhism represents the modern day religion in the novel and Shinto is viewed as the old religion. As the novel progress the readers start to see the fusion of the two religions. Throughout the novel several people such as women and priests live their lives according to the religion they choose to follow. This work of Japanese literature also includes demons and spirits that possess the bodies of people living to perform harmful deeds. Religion and supernatural spirits play a significant role in The Tale of Genji.
The Tale of Genji takes place during the Heian period in Japanese history. The story centers around privileged upper-class citizens. Most of their time is used for leisure and their whole world is revolves around the emperor. Most of the aristocrats were infatuated with social rank and reproducing, however their society did show appreciation for the elegance and beauty of nature. They also enjoyed simple pleasures such as poetry, music and calligraphy. Appearance was very important as-well for these elites. This exclusive group did not have too much knowledge of the outside world and they did not care to much for it. They hardly ever traveled and looked down on the common peoples.
The women during the Heian era had little to no freedom. Due to society harsh circumstance the only men they were ever allowed to be seen with were their fathers and husbands (tales of genji). Much of their life’s were spent in solitude and they only went out on special occasions. Women took part in the special pilgrimages to Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines in order to escape from their
10/10/2010
Literature of Japan
Mary Diaz
The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu deals heavily with Japanese religions and its influence on Japanese society. Themes of jealousy, responsibility and guilt are also mixed in with the religious themes. Religions and ideals clash through the course of the novel. Shikibu focused on the two religions of Buddhism and Shinto. Buddhism represents the modern day religion in the novel and Shinto is viewed as the old religion. As the novel progress the readers start to see the fusion of the two religions. Throughout the novel several people such as women and priests live their lives according to the religion they choose to follow. This work of Japanese literature also includes demons and spirits that possess the bodies of people living to perform harmful deeds. Religion and supernatural spirits play a significant role in The Tale of Genji.
The Tale of Genji takes place during the Heian period in Japanese history. The story centers around privileged upper-class citizens. Most of their time is used for leisure and their whole world is revolves around the emperor. Most of the aristocrats were infatuated with social rank and reproducing, however their society did show appreciation for the elegance and beauty of nature. They also enjoyed simple pleasures such as poetry, music and calligraphy. Appearance was very important as-well for these elites. This exclusive group did not have too much knowledge of the outside world and they did not care to much for it. They hardly ever traveled and looked down on the common peoples.
The women during the Heian era had little to no freedom. Due to society harsh circumstance the only men they were ever allowed to be seen with were their fathers and husbands (tales of genji). Much of their life’s were spent in solitude and they only went out on special occasions. Women took part in the special pilgrimages to Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines in order to escape from their