A WOMAN'S PLACE
It has not been too long ago since the Japanese denied a formal education to women.
They were not alone in such a crime against society. Other nations did the same thing and there are few who still continue to do so. We, in various ways, seek to oppose such a view as an infraction of an individual's basic human rights, and it is important that we understand the background of it all, be aware of its weaknesses and to seek to replace it.
The case of Murasaki Shikibu, the greatest of all Japanese novelists is certainly a prime example of what can take place if female education is given freely - surreptitiously - some may question if she came to be the “Greatest Novelist of Japan” but there are many who ascribe even greater fame to her. The extol her as a rare Japanese girl who's father permitted her to sit quietly by while her brother was being instructed in the Chinese classics and culture. She is said to have assisted her sibling in difficult translation passages when needed. Murasaki is described as being the greatest Japanese writer of all time. She was, in effect, at the least, the William Shakespeare of Japan. She was the main chronicler of the Heian Period from about 794 to 1192 A.D.
Murasaki. While quite young, started writing the novel titled 'The Tale of Genji”. It details the most intimate history of the political life of the Heian period. When completed, the book ran to a total of around six-hundred thousand words by modern typography counts.”The Tale of Genji “ features well over four hundred active characters who are named and identified, plus as many others who serve as “the populace”. It strikes the present day person, to be as if Rawlings had lumped all of Harry Potter's adventures into one, forever book or Will Shakespeare had left us one wide wad of drama. Murasaki set out to write the political history of her time and she did a full some job of it. She wrote at a time when Chinese influence, so long dominant , was disappearing from Japan and they need to be more aware of their true governmental status.
For centuries the Chinese language was used in Japan for all governmental documents and records. This was continued for many years to enable Japanese political leader to keep the people ignorant of true affairs of state. For woman such as Murasaki Shikibu to develop an expertize in Chinese was a real door opener. The very title of the work and limits it in a way, yet expands it in another. The word refers to someone of first generation of royal blood who has been declared unfit to be named as ruler. .
Japan, as that time, was polygamous nation so there is plenty of what has been termed as “sexual politics” in the novel. It uncovers all human passions and revels in domestic switcharoos unequaled. Mel Gibson will probably make it in to a longer- than-ever movie any year now.
A.L.M. September 13, 2004 [c520wds]
