The part where you mention love and the bit about Proust is interesting. "We want what we cannot have and as long as we love, we will experience suffering." I haven't yet gotten to reading Proust, but I started reading "Kokoro" by Natsume Soseki (still less than 50 pages in), and something said in the book makes more sense now: "Love is a sin. But it is also sacred." Seems the meaning of those words is close to what you've touched on here. I'm glad that your content exists and that the ideas and feelings in the world of literature can be shared and related to across the world.
Proust is garbage. Not only garbage compared to the genius of Murasaki who perfectly captures the harmatia of luxuria and how it prevents the hero from finding meaning, but Proust is garbage in general that has nothing useful to say and wastes your time reading its vapid words.
This is wonderful! I am almost halfway through the entire composition of the novel and just adore the work (translation I'm reading is by Arthur Waley). Your synopsis has so many great jokes too, very enjoyable content. Keep it up!
Thank you so much for making this video! I am currently trying to prepare for university entrance exams (If I get in my major is going to be japanese lol) so I'm studying for Japanese culture exam which is one of the exams I need to take. This video helped me out a LOT! As I do not have access to the books in my language that is required this summary and analysis helped me a lot to understand the concept of this piece of literature!
Mate, how happy I am to have found this treasure of a channel! I would like to thank you for your amazing content. You have so much knowledge and are quite the storyteller as well. Keep up the great work!
Concerning the comment (at 8:42) "...The West values patriarchy while Japan is very maternal and points at this novel as evidence", I feel that like most of the pre-modern world, Japan (even in the Heian period) was patriarchal because women practically existed to be miserable since their social role was almost exclusively to provide men with unyielding pleasure which tended to be momentary, ephemeral and transitory since it had nothing to do with commitment, fidelity and loyalty.
Teacher presented this video to us students! And gave us a project concerning this novel. Hope it’s okay for me and my partner to use this as a guide/base for he project! Thank u
@@Fiction_Beast question, do you think a 15 year old (me) can actually understand wth will happen over time reading this? I’m currently on the third chapter and enjoying it.
@@theeleventh805gamer7 it is hard to say. you won't be reading for the plot for sure. You can read slowly and enjoy the language, poetry and the insights into the minds of 10th century Japanese women and men. who knows you might discover something. It's a brave undertaking, so I say well done!
I highly suggest watching the movie it’s here on UA-cam and it’s very interesting! ☺️ I watched this after I watched the movie. Also I had a question, what do you think the meaning behind this book was or more like the lesson that it gives or the message. Like what do we learn from this book, what are your thoughts?
Thank you. I’ll check the movie out. About the message or lessons we can learn from this book I suggest you watch my other video: 10 unique things about the Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikubu (& similarties with Proust) ua-cam.com/video/ydiZSOt5e5U/v-deo.html
1. **Next Video** 10 unique things about the Tale of Genji ua-cam.com/video/ydiZSOt5e5U/v-deo.html 2. The tale of Genji vs. Shahnameh the Persian Book of Kings. ua-cam.com/video/Tp627vn1PPo/v-deo.html
"Japan" in Kanji is 日本 not 二本.Also, Kana is not used mostly by children. It's regularly used by all Japanese people. Now there is Hiragana used for grammar particles, suffixes and native Japanese words that can't be rendered in Chinese characters, and Katakana used for words borrowed from European languages.
Great video! So the book was fully written in Hiragana afaik. Does that mean I can understand anything if I have let's say a somewhat basic understanding of vocabulary and also hiragana knowledge? Or is there more to it since it's so old?(Like older words or hiragana used). I mean it was considered to be the language of children women.
The grammar and vocabulary is pretty different from modern Japanese so it’s really hard to read. Old Japanese is still taught at school but it’s so hard that no one remembers after the test. I actually was reading a book titled “A complete history of Japanese thought” and a lot of citations were in old Japanese so I gave up reading it. I’m Japanese btw
The author says, through the protagonist, that history books are one-sided accounts, but the stories are a careful depiction of a way of life, good or bad, in search of truth. I think the idea is comparable to contemporary literature. The Tale of Genji has ten modern Japanese translations, first published in 1912 and most recently in 2017. I'm ashamed to say that I've only read an abridged version and a manga version. I hope you emphasised on the 800 poems in the novel and introduced some of them. I'm curious to see how they translate into English. Sorry for the lengthy comment.
watched the 1987 and 2009 anime.. I did not understand a thing + just wanted the stepmom to die so I could expect a better girl that close to his age to come up lol This vid helped me understand a lot of it though, thanks 😏😏
Thank you! That’s interesting. I think the ultimate message is that seeking the perfect wife was a mistake. But as humans we can’t stop looking for the perfect one.
Genji seems to hv Some medical conditn as he's Obssessed wth women.. obsessive compulsive disorder.. Surprised that its written by a woman...its a relevation..But a woman's suffering is beat understood by woman..as many she goes through in life...
Yes, genji is like any man with an option, i would say. He had nothing else going on in his life, except chasing women and variety of them. Yes, Lady Murasaki understood men's psychology very well.
Kana is not for kids. But, I think you are confused with "writing exclusively in only kana is childish" with "using kana is childish". It is not possible to write with only Kanji in Mordern Japanese.
NOOO comparing to "sex and the city or 50 shades of grey "is the most insulting thing i have ever heard. I would even feel comparing it to a renowned and saucy classic like Chaucer would be demeaning ... why did you pick the bottom of the barrel!
Details about masculine beauty. How do you know it wasn't written by a gay man? 😂 (I'm just being sarcastic). It would make sense it's a woman, since they were only allowed to write in Hiragana back then ^^
“He chase women and smoke weed, like prince Harry” 😂 loool
Back in the days 😂
The part where you mention love and the bit about Proust is interesting. "We want what we cannot have and as long as we love, we will experience suffering."
I haven't yet gotten to reading Proust, but I started reading "Kokoro" by Natsume Soseki (still less than 50 pages in), and something said in the book makes more sense now: "Love is a sin. But it is also sacred." Seems the meaning of those words is close to what you've touched on here.
I'm glad that your content exists and that the ideas and feelings in the world of literature can be shared and related to across the world.
Proust is garbage. Not only garbage compared to the genius of Murasaki who perfectly captures the harmatia of luxuria and how it prevents the hero from finding meaning, but Proust is garbage in general that has nothing useful to say and wastes your time reading its vapid words.
This is wonderful! I am almost halfway through the entire composition of the novel and just adore the work (translation I'm reading is by Arthur Waley). Your synopsis has so many great jokes too, very enjoyable content. Keep it up!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Best review of Genji I have heard.
This really helped me with my hw, ty!
Awesome. Are you studying Japanese literature?
@@Fiction_Beast Ap World ^^
@@hela_helio awsome. i got more videos on world literature. i am doing a book from every country.
Thanks for this introduction. I am about the start the tale and I am sure this has helped me get started!
Thank you so much for making this video! I am currently trying to prepare for university entrance exams (If I get in my major is going to be japanese lol) so I'm studying for Japanese culture exam which is one of the exams I need to take. This video helped me out a LOT! As I do not have access to the books in my language that is required this summary and analysis helped me a lot to understand the concept of this piece of literature!
Glad it was helpful!
Mate, how happy I am to have found this treasure of a channel! I would like to thank you for your amazing content. You have so much knowledge and are quite the storyteller as well. Keep up the great work!
Really appreciate your comment.
A wonderful and well researched presentation. Very well narrated as well. Thank you.
Just found this channel. Very well done synopsis and insight. Thank you :)
You’re very welcome!
Just finished watching the movie for a class. This video definitely helped me understand the world that the story was written about much better!
That's awesome.
Thank you. This is so helpful!
Awesome. If you liked please support the channel by subscribing and sharing. Thanks.
Just started reading the Royall Tyler translation. Wonderful review, thanks! Subscribed,
Thank you so much. That’s the best translation I think. I have made three videos on Genji.
Concerning the comment (at 8:42) "...The West values patriarchy while Japan is very maternal and points at this novel as evidence", I feel that like most of the pre-modern world, Japan (even in the Heian period) was patriarchal because women practically existed to be miserable since their social role was almost exclusively to provide men with unyielding pleasure which tended to be momentary, ephemeral and transitory since it had nothing to do with commitment, fidelity and loyalty.
All of the ancient is patriarchy except some tribal tribe somewhere
Teacher presented this video to us students! And gave us a project concerning this novel.
Hope it’s okay for me and my partner to use this as a guide/base for he project! Thank u
Of course. It’s no problem. I’m happy if it helps you in anyway.
Who actually read this for fun? *me who raises my hand* oh okay
Me too :)
@@Fiction_Beast question, do you think a 15 year old (me) can actually understand wth will happen over time reading this? I’m currently on the third chapter and enjoying it.
@@theeleventh805gamer7 it is hard to say. you won't be reading for the plot for sure. You can read slowly and enjoy the language, poetry and the insights into the minds of 10th century Japanese women and men. who knows you might discover something. It's a brave undertaking, so I say well done!
@@theeleventh805gamer7 no chance at all at 15, but 16 year old you can do it no cap
@@Darkdevil1584 good because i bought this book when i was 15 and havent read it yet and im 16 now and im going to read it now
Great narration!!
Thank you! I have another great video on ten unique things about the Tale of Genji, uploaing now.
@@Fiction_Beast Lucky me I've just discovered this channel. Nice and well-rounded presentation..
Thank you so much. You’re very kind. If you like now you can watch my new video on Genji just uploaded now. I hope you enjoy it.
Very clear video, thank you for your time!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I highly suggest watching the movie it’s here on UA-cam and it’s very interesting! ☺️ I watched this after I watched the movie. Also I had a question, what do you think the meaning behind this book was or more like the lesson that it gives or the message. Like what do we learn from this book, what are your thoughts?
Thank you. I’ll check the movie out. About the message or lessons we can learn from this book I suggest you watch my other video: 10 unique things about the Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikubu (& similarties with Proust) ua-cam.com/video/ydiZSOt5e5U/v-deo.html
@@Fiction_Beast Oh cool! Thank you so much! 😊✌️
@@tiflil1244 you're very welcome!
Concerning the movie, could a link be provided?
1. **Next Video** 10 unique things about the Tale of Genji ua-cam.com/video/ydiZSOt5e5U/v-deo.html
2. The tale of Genji vs. Shahnameh the Persian Book of Kings. ua-cam.com/video/Tp627vn1PPo/v-deo.html
Excellent. Love your educational videos.
You have a great work! I hope I can use this as a basis of our project specially the part of story telling, thank you in advance 😊
Sure no problem. Please share among friends on social media so more people can watch my content.
Very nicely done! Thank you
Glad you liked it!
"Japan" in Kanji is 日本 not 二本.Also, Kana is not used mostly by children. It's regularly used by all Japanese people. Now there is Hiragana used for grammar particles, suffixes and native Japanese words that can't be rendered in Chinese characters, and Katakana used for words borrowed from European languages.
Will you ever do one on Fernando Pessoa's Book of Disquiet?
(asking for a friend...)
Thank you for this i was very confused by the rank naming. I had trouble discerning who was who 😅
Glad I could help!
Great video! So the book was fully written in Hiragana afaik. Does that mean I can understand anything if I have let's say a somewhat basic understanding of vocabulary and also hiragana knowledge?
Or is there more to it since it's so old?(Like older words or hiragana used). I mean it was considered to be the language of children women.
The grammar and vocabulary is pretty different from modern Japanese so it’s really hard to read. Old Japanese is still taught at school but it’s so hard that no one remembers after the test. I actually was reading a book titled “A complete history of Japanese thought” and a lot of citations were in old Japanese so I gave up reading it. I’m Japanese btw
Thank you, again!😊
I was reading robert greene's aos and wanted to check this genji out
Nice video
I’m curious what Robert Greene had to say about Genji
Thanks so much
Happy new year Fiction Beast!!! Do you read 50 shades of grey??? Lol. . I'm trying to find it. . .
Happy New Year! I've read snippets of it, not my cup of tea lol
@@Fiction_Beast I don't have any restrictions in terms of book genres. . . I never put limitations on my knowledge of literature. .lol.
Genji is basically prototype Johnny Bravo
Perhaps. I don’t know Johnny bravo unfortunately.
@@Fiction_Beast it's a Blonde fellow who goes around courting women with his smooth words and rockin bod. He never gets the girl though..
Genji depicts the struggle to get the girls, and also the aftermath or consequences which’s never a lasting happiness.
The author says, through the protagonist, that history books are one-sided accounts, but the stories are a careful depiction of a way of life, good or bad, in search of truth. I think the idea is comparable to contemporary literature.
The Tale of Genji has ten modern Japanese translations, first published in 1912 and most recently in 2017. I'm ashamed to say that I've only read an abridged version and a manga version.
I hope you emphasised on the 800 poems in the novel and introduced some of them. I'm curious to see how they translate into English.
Sorry for the lengthy comment.
I always enjoy reading your comments. Yes I think the poems need a deep dive. Perhaps in the future.
Thank you for making this video I have to do a 5 paper essay on this 😅
How did genji die?
It's not clear how he dies. but it appears after the death of his wife, Murasaki, he no longer is the same and soon after dies.
@@Fiction_Beast thanks
Your welcome.
Great video
We translated Genji Monogatari into Urdu language
Wow that’s interesting. How did you find the process?
@@Fiction_Beast
I teach Japanese arts in the Consulate Gernal of Japan, Karachi Pakistan
@@Fiction_Beast
I can reach you if you tell your WhatsApp number
Which version of the translation did you read and recommend?
Tyler Genji is the best one, but it's a brick!
Kana is mostly used for children in Japan???!!!
yes.
👏🏻
thanks
Very good.
😀
Thank you!
At 1:42, the Chinese characters portrayed are NOT the way Nippon is written. The characters should be 日本.
Yes. I have corrected in the description
I am proud to read the first Novel in the world. ❣️❤️
Japanese don't discuss politics openly? As an American I can't help but think this is a good thing!
loyalty is important so you dont want to expose yourself and it makes sense.
Where are you from
A planet called earth :)
watched the 1987 and 2009 anime.. I did not understand a thing + just wanted the stepmom to die so I could expect a better girl that close to his age to come up lol
This vid helped me understand a lot of it though, thanks 😏😏
Thank you! That’s interesting. I think the ultimate message is that seeking the perfect wife was a mistake. But as humans we can’t stop looking for the perfect one.
same! I watched the movie and was thoroughly confused lol
@@rosegarden6847 same but now I tried to actually understand the history rather than the gross romance he had with his step mom
did you guys know this was the first novel written in the world?
Absolutely
👍😊📖!
smile:)
Maybe Harry’s father!
Genji seems to hv
Some medical conditn as he's
Obssessed wth women..
obsessive compulsive disorder..
Surprised that its written by a woman...its a relevation..But a woman's suffering is beat understood by woman..as many she goes through in life...
Yes, genji is like any man with an option, i would say. He had nothing else going on in his life, except chasing women and variety of them. Yes, Lady Murasaki understood men's psychology very well.
Minamoto kun no monogatari xd
Thanks
5:00 why do you keep promoting that dross? Read anything by the Marquis De Sade instead of that 50 shades drit.
Kana is not for kids. But, I think you are confused with "writing exclusively in only kana is childish" with "using kana is childish". It is not possible to write with only Kanji in Mordern Japanese.
NOOO comparing to "sex and the city or 50 shades of grey "is the most insulting thing i have ever heard.
I would even feel comparing it to a renowned and saucy classic like Chaucer would be demeaning ... why did you pick the bottom of the barrel!
Slayyyyyy
Details about masculine beauty. How do you know it wasn't written by a gay man? 😂 (I'm just being sarcastic).
It would make sense it's a woman, since they were only allowed to write in Hiragana back then ^^
日本人ににとってバリにわかりにくい小説ですが、名作です📖昔の日本語より英語の翻訳の方がわかりやすい😹