Helen Craig McCullough Book order (chronological)

The Tale of Genji and The Tale of the Heike are two seminal works of classical Japanese prose. This abridged edition offers a one-volume selection suitable for survey courses in classical Japanese literature or world literature, as well as for general readers intimidated by the complete texts. The translator has chosen representative excerpts to create coherent and aesthetically pleasing narratives. Often regarded as the world's first novel, The Tale of Genji, by Murasaki Shikibu, poetically captures the aristocratic life of eleventh-century Japan, a time of rich cultural development. This translation emphasizes key events in Genji's life, particularly his profound relationship with Murasaki, and includes significant portions from 10 of the 41 chapters, notably the "Broom Tree" chapter, which encapsulates the book's central themes. Conversely, The Tale of the Heike portrays the late twelfth-century political machinations and battles that led to the decline of the Kyoto court and the rise of the Minamoto (Genji) clan's military government. Its theme of the impermanence of worldly affairs resonates with Genji, yet its oral composition and vigorous language starkly contrast with Genji's elegant tone. The selections from Heike comprise about 40 percent of the work and are drawn from a celebrated complete edition. To aid readers, the translator has included introductions, headnote summaries, and supplementary materials, along wi