The Tale of Genji

Prince Genji falls in love with his stepmother, and so begins a forbidden love that will make him suffer his whole life. Genji’s love story involves him falling for many women and begins with his love for Princess Fujitsubo—his father’s wife, and his stepmother. And Genji will cross that line which he should never cross. (Source: Kodansha USA)

From [Aerandria Scans](https://www.mangaupdates.com/groups.html?id=1242): Kiritsubo and the Emperor, who loved each other deeply, despite their social status. Hikaru Genji, who loved his step-mother, Fujitsubo, even though he knew that it was a forbidden love, a love that was not allowed. High Dame Aoi, who fell in love for the first time after a political marriage. Miyasudokoro, who loved Genji until she became a wraith. That "Tale of Genji" has now been turned into a manga! It's very erotic, but also very sad...! A love story about the distant past.

The work recounts the life of a son of a Japanese emperor, known to readers as Hikaru Genji, or "Shining Genji". Neither appellation is his actual name: Genji (源氏, Genji) is simply another way to read the Chinese characters for the real-life Minamoto clan (源の氏, Minamoto-no-Uji), to which Genji was made to belong. For political reasons, Genji is relegated to commoner status (by being given the surname Minamoto) and begins a career as an imperial officer. The tale concentrates on Genji's romantic life and describes the customs of the aristocratic society of the time. Much is made of Genji's good looks. His most important personality trait is the loyalty he shows to all the women in his life, as he never abandons any of his wives. When he finally becomes the most powerful man in the capital, he moves into a palace and provides for each of them. (The Tale of Genji (源氏物語, Genji Monogatari) is a classic work of Japanese literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early eleventh century, around the peak of the Heian Period. It is sometimes called the world's first novel, the first modern novel, or the first novel to still be considered a classic. The issue remains debated among readers.) (Source: Wikipedia)

In 1989 Genji Monogatari received the 34th Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga. Note: Cover image is from 1997 edition.

Part of the *Manga Japan Classic* series. Other volumes in the series: 1: [Kojiki (ISHINOMORI Shotaro)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134590) 2: [Ochikubo Monogatari](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=11823) 3: [Genji Monogatari (HASEGAWA Housei)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134591) 1 4: [Genji Monogatari (HASEGAWA Housei)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134591) 2 5: [Genji Monogatari (HASEGAWA Housei)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134591) 3 6: [Izumi Shikibu Nikki](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134592) 7: [Tsutsumi Chuunagon Monogatari](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134593) 8: [Konjaku Monogatari (MIZUKI Shigeru)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134594) 1 9: [Konjaku Monogatari (MIZUKI Shigeru)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134594) 2 10: [Heike Monogatari](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=61620) 1 11: [Heike Monogatari](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=61620) 2 12: [Heike Monogatari](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=61620) 3 13: [Tohazugatari (IGARASHI Yumiko)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134595) 14: [Azuma Kagami](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=47007) 1 15: [Azuma Kagami](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=47007) 2 16: [Azuma Kagami](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=47007) 3 17: [Tsurezuregusa](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134596) 18: [Taiheiki (SAITO Takao)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134597) 1 19: [Taiheiki (SAITO Takao)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134597) 2 20: [Taiheiki (SAITO Takao)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134597) 3 21: [Otogizoushi (YAMADA Murasaki)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134598) 22: [Shinchou Kouki](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134599) 23: [Mikawa Monogatari](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134600) 24: [Koushoku Gonin Onna](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134601) 25: [Oku no Hosomichi (YAGUCHI Takao)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134602) 26: [Hagakure (KUROGANE Hiroshi)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134603) 27: [Shinjuu Ten no Amijima](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134604) 28: [Ugetsu Monogatari (KIHARA Toshie)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=43380) 29: [Toukaidouchuu Hizakurige (TSUCHIDA Yoshiko)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134605) 30: [Ukiyodoko](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134607) 31: [Shunshoku Umegoyomi](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134608) 32: [Kaidan (TSUNODA Jirou)](https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=134609)

A re-telling of the “Tale of Genji” in manga-form. The “Tale of Genji” is a story from a long novel written by novelist Murasaki Shikibu. It was written about 1000 years ago, during the Heian era. It details the showy life and romantic exploits of Genji no Kimi (Lord Genji), otherwise known as “Hikaru Genji (The Shining Prince)” for his peerless beauty and features the life and culture of the Heian Imperial Court. By describing human life with its heart-rendering moments and the difficult times of separation and sadness, this piece of literature has come to be known to embody the concept of “the pathos of things” (mono no aware). Known as the world’s earliest romance novel, it has been translated into many languages all over the world.

A historical romance based on the classic novel The Tale of Genji. The playboy Genji's way of life is boldly dramatized in this new retelling. (Source: Clairparfait)