The narrative chronicles the life of a Japanese prince who is known as Hikaru Genji or "Shining Genji," though those are not his true names. Genji is a member of the Minamoto clan (源の氏, Minamoto-no-Uji) for political reasons, which assigns him a particular social status that requires him to work as an imperial officer.
The central focus of the story is Genji's romantic life and the customs of the aristocracy during his era. The narrative places great emphasis on Genji's exceptional handsomeness. Interestingly, Genji's most notable trait is his unwavering loyalty to every woman he forms relationships with, and he never abandons any of his wives. Once Genji becomes the most powerful individual in the capital, he moves into a palace to care for all his wives.
Written by a noblewoman named Murasaki Shikibu during the eleventh century's Heian Period, The Tale of Genji (源氏物語, Genji Monogatari) is a highly admired work of Japanese literature. However, whether it is the world's first novel, the first modern novel, or the first classic novel remains a topic of debate amongst readers.
