The Tale of Genji: A Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, authored by Murasaki Shikibu, is a translation that has been hailed as “likely to be the definitive edition . . . for many years to come” (The Wall Street Journal). This exquisite masterpiece, written in the eleventh century, offers a detailed and poetic portrayal of courtly life in medieval Japan. The central character, Genji, the Shining Prince, is the son of an emperor. His passionate nature, family circumstances, love affairs, alliances, and political fortunes form the core of this magnificent epic. Royall Tyler’s superior translation ensures that the modern reader can appreciate The Tale of Genji as a contemporary treasure while remaining true to the Japanese original.

Supplemented with detailed notes, glossaries, character lists, and chronologies, this comprehensive edition helps navigate the multigenerational narrative. With its inclusion of flaps and deckle-edged paper, it is presented in the grand style that this ancient tale deserves. Published by Penguin Classics on November 26, 2002, with an ISBN-10 of 014243714X and an ISBN-13 of 978-0142437148, the book contains 1216 pages and measures 9.16 x 6.29 x 1.99 inches.