World’s First Novel

Did you know # 5

In the year 1007, a Japanese noblewoman, Murasaki Shikibu, wrote the world’s first novel. Called, ‘The tale of Genji’, it tells the story of a prince looking for love and wisdom. The English translation of this novel covers over 54 chapters and over 1000 pages of text*.

As the last ten chapters of ‘The Tale of Genji’ are set in Uji, there is also 'The Tale of Genji Museum' in Uji, Kyoto, Japan, which was opened in 1998.

Murasaki Shikibu at her writing desk  Source: http://www.taleofgenji.org/

It displays the world of the Japanese classic novel, The Tale of Genji,  with projected images, models, and exhibitions. The story of these chapters is reproduced with great realism using a scrim and life-sized set. Visitors are introduced to the story line and main characters. The culture of the Imperial Court of the Heian Period, the aristocrats' costumes and the furnishings of their residences are shown here.
A short film based on the Ten Uji Chapters and created solely for the museum is presented in the movie room.
There is also a library with a collection of books about The Tale of Genji #

*Reference: Excerpts from Rashtra Deepika Children’s Digest

# Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/