Name: The Tale of Genji: A Japanese Classic Illuminated
Rating: 8.66 (39 reviews)
Author: Melissa McCormick
ISBN: 9781588396655

Explore the enduring masterwork of Japanese literature, The Tale of Genji, through a unique visual lens. Melissa McCormick's companion volume presents discussions of all fifty-four chapters of Murasaki Shikibu's eleventh-century novel alongside the complete reproductions of the Genji Album from 1510. This album, housed in the Harvard Art Museums, represents the oldest dated collection of Genji illustrations in existence.

The book features the album's vibrant paintings and intricate calligraphy leaves, accompanied by McCormick's essays that analyze the narrative and the interplay between word and image. It also includes English translations and Japanese transcriptions of the calligraphy. The introduction delves into the history of the Genji Album's creation, detailing the artists, calligraphers, patrons, and scholars involved in its sixteenth-century production. This illustrated guide offers a comprehensive experience for those interested in Japanese literature and the visual culture surrounding one of the world's earliest novels.

Positives

This book receives significant praise as a beautiful and invaluable resource, particularly for those already familiar with The Tale of Genji. Reviewers highlight its stunning visual content, reproducing the oldest known complete album of Genji paintings and calligraphy. The historical significance of the art and its influence on later artistic traditions are frequently appreciated. The book's chapter-by-chapter format, which pairs painted scenes and calligraphy with insightful commentary, is lauded for connecting the art and narrative, often illuminating subtle points and cultural ramifications. This approach helps readers understand how the work would have been viewed in sixteenth-century Japan and provides a unique way to revisit and appreciate the epic story's major moments and overarching structure. The quality of the reproductions, especially in digital formats, is also noted as a benefit for frequent use and study.

Negatives

However, a notable point of criticism is that the book assumes the reader is already thoroughly familiar with The Tale of Genji. Despite its subtitle as a "visual companion," it is not designed as an introduction or a simplified version of the original story, as the included excerpts do not explain the plot, characters, or setting. Some reviewers found the writing, particularly the art commentary, to be somewhat superficial or lacking in nuance, describing it as blunt and missing subtleties from a literary perspective. Additionally, the distinctive perspective and foreshortening techniques in the historical artwork can take some time for modern readers to become accustomed to.

Conclusion

Overall, this book is highly regarded as an exceptional supplementary resource for engaging with Murasaki Shikibu's classic work. It is best suited for readers who have already read The Tale of Genji and wish to deepen their understanding and appreciation through the lens of historical art, calligraphy, and expert commentary. It would particularly appeal to those interested in early Japanese art, history, literature, and the cultural context of the original narrative, offering a rich visual and analytical experience rather than a plot summary.