The Tale of Genji (manga)

The Tale of Genji
Cover of Japanese Book volume 3
あさきゆめみし (Asakiyumemishi)
Manga
Written by	Waki Yamato
Published by	Kodansha
Demographic	Shōjo
Magazine	Mimi
Original run	1980 – 1993
Volumes	13

The Tale of Genji (源氏物語 あさきゆめみし, Genji Monogatari Asakiyumemishi) is a Japanese manga version of Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji by Waki Yamato.

It follows nearly the same plot with some modern adaptation. It was originally published from 1980 to 1993. It spanned thirteen volumes and was published by Kodansha. The series was partially translated into English (as The Tale of Genji) by Stuart Atkin and Yoko Toyosaki as a part of Kodansha's attempts to publish bilingual manga as a study guide for Japanese students. The Tale of Genji sold 14 million copies with its 13 tankōbon volumes by May 2006. The first ten volumes focus on Hikaru Genji and his life, the final three volumes follow two princes, lord Kaoru and Niou no miya (Royal Prince with Perfumes) after Hikaru Genji's death.

An anime adaptation was scheduled to air in Fuji Television's noitaminA block, starting January 2009, but the producer decided to make the anime directly from the original Tale of Genji, calling the new anime Genji Monogatari Sennenki.

Volumes 1 to 10

Characters appeared in the Tale of Genji are many and their relations are highly complicated. The following lists/maps show the rough overview of their relations.

Emperor Kiritsubo has many wives, representatively three ladies are important:

Hikaru Genji has many wives and loves, representatively following ladies are important:

The house of the Minister at the left (Sa-daijin) and the house of the Minister at the right (U-daijin) are rival. Genji's first formal spouse (high Dame Aoi) is daughter of the Sa-dijin and his love Lady Oborodukiyo is daughter of U-daijin, in addition Oborodukiyo is love of Emperor Suzaku who is son of Kokiden-nyougo.

Sa-daijin (Minister at the left) has at least two children.