ou A HISTÓRIA DO SENHOR GENJI. Edo [Tokyo]. S/d [1837].

De 17,5x12 cm. Com 30 fólios inumerados.

Brochado tradicional da época com rótulo na capa anterior apresentando o título.

Ilustrado com 54 xilogravuras (não coloridas) e 2 gravuras coloridas em página dupla (xiligrafadas e impressas no processo serigráfico ukiyo-e) pelo famoso mestre impressor Keisai Eisen (渓斎 英泉, 1790-1848).

Obra impressa sobre fólios duplos de papel de arroz, sendo os primeiros 3 folios coloridos de maior espessura.

A primeira gravura colorida representa a autora a escrever a sua obra; e a segunda gravura representa a paisagem de um porto de mar.

 Work printed in rice paper (traditional folded folium 17,5x12 cm).

Illustrated with 54 b/w engravings and 2 color engravings in the ukiyo-e woodblock style, by the famous engraver Keisai Eisen (渓斎 英泉, 1790 -1848), depicting Dame Murasaki Shikibu writing at her desk at Ishiyama-dera inspired by the Moon; and a second color engraving with a landscape and a harbor.

Murasaki Shikibu (紫 式部) (c.978 - c.1014 or 1025) was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period.

The Tale of Genji (源氏物語) is a classic work of Japanese literature written by the noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu in the early years of the 11th century, around the peak of the Heian period. It is sometimes called the world"s first novel, or the first novel still to be considered a classic. Its precise classification and influence in both Western and Eastern canon has been a matter of debate. The novel illustrates a unique depiction of the livelihoods of high courtiers during the Heian period. Within a century this book was recognized as a classic of Japanese literature and had become a subject of scholarly criticism. The most recent English translation was published in 2001 by Royall Tyler and aims at fidelity in content and form to the original text. Since the 13th century her works have been illustrated by Japanese artists and well-known ukiyo-e woodblock masters.

Our acknowledgements for Japanese data kindly translated by Mr. Shibata Yuzo 柴田有三