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Hikaru Genji

Hikaru Genji
The Tale of Genji character
A depiction of Genji's visit to Kitayama, where he first sees Murasaki no Ue and falls in love with her.
Created byMurasaki Shikibu
Based onMinamoto no Tōru (disputed)
In-universe information
NicknameGenji
GenderMale
TitleShining Prince
FamilyMinamoto
SpousesAoi no Ue, the Third Princess
ChildrenEmperor Reizei
Yūgiri
Princess Akashi
RelativesEmperor Kiritsubo (father)
Kiritsubo Consort (mother)
Lady Fujitsubo (stepmother)
Emperor Suzaku (half-brother)

Hikaru Genji (光源氏) is the protagonist of Murasaki Shikibu's Heian-era Japanese novel The Tale of Genji."Hikaru" means "shining", deriving from his appearance, hence he is known as the "Shining Prince."[1] He is portrayed as a superbly handsome man and a genius. Genji is the second son of a Japanese emperor, but he is relegated to civilian life for political reasons and lives as an imperial officer.

The first part of the story concentrates on his romantic life, and in the second, on his and others' internal agony. He appears from the first volume "Kiritsubo" to the 40th volume "Illusion".

"Genji" is the surname of a noble demoted from royalty. His given name is never referred to in the story, as is the case with most other characters. He is also referred to as Rokujō no In (六条院), sometimes abbreviated as In (). He is often called Genji.

Hikaru Genji was attractive and talented, easily gaining the favor of those around him at a young age. Describing his superlative qualities, Murasaki Shikibu wrote: "but to recount all his virtues would, I fear, give rise to a suspicion that I distort the truth."[2] His appearance tempted men and women alike, as he had smooth white skin, excellent fashion sense, which increased his fame and popularity.[3]

The character of Hikaru Genji has had several adaptations in other media, from different iterations of The Tale of Genji. He is depicted as possessing unrivaled beauty and charisma in all subsequent media adaptations.[1]

While fictitious, Genji is thought to be inspired by historical figures, including Minamoto no Tōru, who was a grandson of Emperor Saga, hence one of the Saga Genji clan.

  1. ^ a b Malita-Król, Joanna. "Creation of an Ideal Hero. Hikaru Genji in Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji" versus his portrayal in film adaptations of the novel". Still Facing East II. International Scholars on Japanese Culture, Eds. K. Adamowicz, K. Sosnowska.
  2. ^ Murasaki Shikibu,?- (1976). The tale of Genji. Edward Seidensticker, Earl Tidwell (1st ed.). New York: Knopf. ISBN 0-394-48328-6. OCLC 2541047.
  3. ^ "Why "The Tale of Genji" Is Still Seductive". The New Yorker. 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2022-10-20.

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Hikaru Genji Catalan هیکارو گنجی FA 光源氏 Japanese 히카루 겐지 Korean 光源氏 Chinese 光源氏 ZH-CLASSICAL

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