There is a poem created by ISE no Taifu, 'Some time ago, double-flowered cherry trees bloomed in the colorful capital of Nara today they bloom in Kuju Castle in this capital of Kyo, as they did before,' which was collected in " Shika Wakashu (Collection of Poetry)" the poem was written in dedication to the Empress along with yaezakura (double cherry blossoms) presented to the Imperial Court however, according to " ISE no Taifu shu (Private Collection)" it was supposed to be a duty of Murasaki Shikibu, but she delegated the duty to a newcomer, Taifu. In December 29 (according to the lunar calendar) of 1005, she began serving the Empress of Emperor Ichijo FUJIWARA no Shoshi/Akiko (the oldest daughter of FUJIWARA no Michinaga, and later given the name of the Retired Emperor Jotomonin) as a court lady-cum-tutor, and she served the Empress at least until 1011. In about 998, she married a governor of Yamashiro Province FUJIWARA no Nobutaka, who was old enough to be her father in 999 she bore him a daughter, FUJIWARA no Kataiko/Kenshi, but this marriage life didn't last long because Nobutaka died soon afterward. Murasaki Shikibu, during her childhood, spent two years in the place of her father's assignment. Ten years later, as a consequence of dedicating a poem to Emperor Ichijo, he became a governor of Echizen Province. Her father, FUJIWARA no Tametoki, obtained employment as a reader in Togu (the palace of the Crown Prince) while in his thirties, and when the Crown Prince became Emperor Kazan he was promoted to the post of kurodo (Chamberlain) and then to Shikibutaijo however, when the Emperor became a priest, he lost his job. It is generally considered that she wrote both " The Tale of Genji," which consists of 54 chapters, and "Murasaki Shikibu Diary," which was about her days in service to the Imperial Court, as well as "Collection of Murasaki Shikibu's Works." There are many anecdotes stating that, since her childhood, she had had more talent for reading Chinese classics than women were required to have in those days. FUJIWARA no Sadakata, Sanjo Udaijin (Sanjo minister of the right), and FUJIWARA no Kanesuke, Tsutsumi Chunagon (vice-councilor of state), were her paternal great grandfathers, and she had many relatives who were known as talented writers. FUJIWARA no Nobunori was her brother by a different father, and apparently she also had an older sister. She was a daughter of FUJIWARA no Tametoki, governor of Echigo Province, and her mother was a daughter of FUJIWARA no Tamenobu from Settsu Province, but she lost her mother when she was little. Tradition has it that she liked sardines, which was unusual for aristocracy, but this episode is based on a story of Izumi Shikibu in 'Sarugenji no soshi (The Sarugenji Book),' so it seems to have been made up by someone at a later date. However this view is generally based on the other assumptions, which are said to contain errors in the process of making inferences, so it remains a matter of conjecture.Īlso, her dates of birth and death are unknown, but it is suggested that she was about 30 years old in 1008, based on historical materials and her works by counting backwards from that age, she would have been born around 979 and died around 1016. Murasaki Shikibu's real name is unknown, but it is assumed that she was the 'FUJIWARA no Kaoriko/Takako/ Koshi,' who became shoji (ranked) on January 29, 1007, which was described in ' Mido Kanpakuki ( FUJIWARA no Michinaga's diary).' She acquired the sobriquet of 'Murasaki' from the name of the heroine 'Murasaki no Ue' of " The Tale of Genji," and 'Shikibu' refers to her father's position as Shikibutaijo (Aide of Ceremonials). She was from the Fujiwara clan, and her name as a court lady was 'Fuji Shikibu (Murasaki Shikibu).' Her poem, 'I met a friend after so long, who went back in a hurry before I recognized his face like the moon goes behind a cloud at a blow' was selected for "Ogura Hyakunin isshu (One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets)." She is well known as the author of " The Tale of Genji." She is one of the Chuko Sanjurokkasen (medieval 36 Immortal Poets). Murasaki Shikibu (dates of birth and death unknown) was a female author and poet in the mid-Heian period.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |