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| Hikaru Genji | |
|---|---|
| The Tale of Genji character | |
 A depiction of Genji's visit to Kitayama, where he first sees Murasaki no Ue and falls in love with her. | |
| Created by | Murasaki Shikibu |
| Based on | Minamoto no Tōru (disputed) |
| In-universe information | |
| Nickname | Genji |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | Shining Prince |
| Family | Minamoto |
| Spouses | Aoi no Ue, the Third Princess |
| Children | Emperor Reizei Yūgiri Princess Akashi |
| Relatives | Emperor Kiritsubo (father) Kiritsubo Consort (mother) Lady Fujitsubo (stepmother) Emperor Suzaku (half-brother) |
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Hikaru Genji (光源氏) is the protagonist of Murasaki Shikibu's important Heian-era Japanese novel The Tale of Genji.[1] The story describes him as a superbly handsome man and a genius. Genji is the second son of a Japanese emperor, but he is relegated to civilian life for political reasons and lives as an imperial officer.
The first part of the story concentrates on his romantic life, and in the second, his and others' internal agony is depicted. He appears from the first volume "Kiritsubo" to the 40th volume "Illusion".
"Genji" is the surname of a noble demoted from royalty. His true given name is never referred to in the story, like most other characters. "Hikaru" means "shining", which is a nickname deriving from his appearance. He is also referred to as Rokujō no In (六条院), sometimes abbreviated as In (院). He is often called Genji when speaking of the story.
It is implied that Hikaru Genji was extremely attractive and talented, easily gaining the favor of those around him at a young age. Describing his superlative qualities, Murasaki Shikibu wrote: "but to recount all his virtues would, I fear, give rise to a suspicion that I distort the truth."[2] His appearance was said to have tempted men and women alike, as he had desirable features such as smooth white skin, excellent fashion sense, which increased his fame and popularity.[3]
The character of Hikaru Genji has had several adaptations in other media, from different iterations of The Tale of Genji. He is usually universally depicted as possessing unrivaled beauty and charisma in all subsequent media adaptations.[1]
While fictitious, Genji is thought to be inspired by real historical figures, including Minamoto no Tōru, who was a grandson of Emperor Saga, hence one of the Saga Genji clan.
- ^ a b Malita-Król, Joanna. "Creation of an Ideal Hero. Hikaru Genji in Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji" versus his portrayal in film adaptations of the novel". Still Facing East II. International Scholars on Japanese Culture, Eds. K. Adamowicz, K. Sosnowska.
- ^ Murasaki Shikibu,?- (1976). The tale of Genji. Edward Seidensticker, Earl Tidwell (1st ed.). New York: Knopf. ISBN 0-394-48328-6. OCLC 2541047.
- ^ "Why "The Tale of Genji" Is Still Seductive". The New Yorker. 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2022-10-20.
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