Murasaki Shikibu

Murasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist and poet who lived in the Heian period, roughly between 973 and the early 1010s, though the exact dates of her life are uncertain. She was born in Heian-kyō, the capital now called Kyoto, into a minor branch of the powerful Fujiwara family. Her father was a scholar, and she is said to have picked up Chinese learning by listening to her brother's lessons. Murasaki Shikibu is not her real name, which is not recorded; it is a court nickname. After her husband's death she served as a lady-in-waiting to Empress Shōshi, and this gave her a close view of court life. She is best known for The Tale of Genji, a long work of prose fiction that is often called the world's first novel. Its subtle portrait of feeling, rank and fleeting beauty has kept readers engaged for a thousand years. She also left a diary and a collection of poems, which add to our picture of court life and of her own thoughtful, watchful character.