Cultural Dynamics of Heian Japan in the Tale of Murasaki

The Tale of Murasaki, by Liza Dalby, is about Murasaki, a young woman who lived in the Heian period (794-1185) of Japan. She writes a story called The Tale of Genji, and earns so much recognition for it that she is invited to court to attend the empress. Not only was she known for her writing, but she drew attention by learning Chinese. In the story, a Chinese education is essential for a man hoping to be a high-ranked member of society. Because the Japanese considered Chinese culture as superior, waka, a popular form of Japanese poetry, carries less cultural value in the novel. Therefore, both high-class women and men have to learn about wakas and use them daily. A woman who can compose good wakas and is beautiful would have the best chances of going to court, which is the best way to guarantee a comfortable life. Liza Dalby’s The Tale of Murasaki accurately portrays the abilities of each sex, the importance of Chinese learning, and the role of Japanese poetry in the Heian period of Japan. In the novel, women stay behind screens when men are present, and they are expected to put a lot of thought

In The Tale of Murasaki, Murasaki’s father allows her to learn Chinese with her brother. Her father brags to other men in court that she knows Chinese, but they laugh at her. Murasaki did actually learn Chinese, in reality: “Although it was highly unorthodox for women to do so, Murasaki continued to study Chinese literature” (Kearns). Young men had to learn Chinese to get a good position in the imperial court because “official documents were written in Chinese and educated courtiers were expected to compose poetry in Chinese as well”(Riggs 449–461). Because “Chinese learning was considered inappropriate for the education of young women”, there was a rise in “waka poetry as the verse form used in the private lives of the women and their lovers”(Riggs