Murasaki Shikibu

Japanese woman writer who wrote The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari) in the eleventh century C.E.

Murasaki Shikibu is credited with writing the first novel in the world, based on her years as an attendant in the Japanese imperial court.

Early Women Writers - Reading Groups on Women's History

Books by early women writers, part of a series of suggested reading lists related to women's history for reading groups.

From the 1920 translation by Annie Shepley Omori and Kochi Doi. Includes illustrations, one in color.

Microsoft Encarta entry for this early Japanese novelist who lived 978?-1026?.

A biography from the Women in World History curriculum site, part of a "Female Heroes" collection.

Reviews: the Richard Bowring 1998 translation of Tale of Genji and Norma Field's book about Tale of Genji. A good overview of the work.

Essay considering the theme of dolls in the novel written about 1000-1025 C.E.

Excellent site for studying this Japanese classic novel, written by Lady Murasaki (Murasaki Shikibu) about 1000 C.E.

A summary of the book that may be the first novel in the world.

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