Читать книгу The Tale of Genji онлайн
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Such were the rêveries of one who read the Tale of Genji more than nine hundred years ago. I think that, could they but read it in the original, few readers would feel that in all those centuries the charm of the book had in any way evaporated. The task of translation in such a case is bound to be arduous and discouraging; but I have all the time been spurred by the belief that I am translating by far the greatest novel of the East, and one which, even if compared with the fiction of Europe, takes its place as one of the dozen greatest masterpieces of the world.
LIST OF MOST IMPORTANT PERSONS
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(ALPHABETICAL)
Aoi, Princess Genji’s wife. Asagao, Princess Daughter of Prince Momozono. Courted in vain by Genji from his 17th year onward. Emperor, The Genji’s father. Fujitsubo The Emperor’s consort. Loved by Genji. Sister of Prince Hyōbukyō; aunt of Murasaki. Genji, Prince Son of the Emperor and his concubine Kiritsubo. Hyōbukyō, Prince Brother of Fujitsubo; father of Murasaki. Iyo no Suke Husband of Utsusemi. Ki no Kami Son of Iyo no Kami, also called Iyo no Suke. Kiritsubo Concubine of the Emperor; Genji’s mother. Kōkiden The Emperor’s original consort; later supplanted by Kiritsubo and Fujitsubo successively. Koremitsu Genji’s retainer. Left, Minister of the Father of Aoi. Momozono, Prince Father of Princess Asagao. Murasaki Child of Prince Hyōbukyō. Adopted by Genji. Becomes his second wife. Myōbu A young Court lady who introduces Genji to Princess Suyetsumuhana. Nokiba no Ogi Ki no Kami’s sister. Oborozukiyo, Princess Sister of Kōkiden. Ōmyōbu Fujitsubo’s maid. Right, Minister of the Father of Kōkiden. Rokujō, Princess Widow of the Emperor’s brother, Prince Zembō. Genji’s mistress from his 17th year onward. Shōnagon Murasaki’s nurse. Suyetsumuhana, Princess Daughter of Prince Hitachi. A timid and eccentric lady. Tō no Chūjō Genji’s brother-in-law and great friend. Ukon Yūgao’s maid. Utsusemi Wife of the provincial governor, Iyo no Suke. Courted by Genji. Yūgao Mistress first of Tō no Chūjō then of Genji. Dies bewitched.