The Diary of Murasaki Shikibu: A Modern Translation
By Murasaki Shikibu | Translated by Erick DuPree
Step into the private chambers of Japan’s imperial court through the eyes of Murasaki Shikibu, the legendary author of The Tale of Genji. In her candid and poetic diary, Murasaki offers an unparalleled glimpse into the intricacies of court life, from the lavish celebrations of a prince’s birth to the quiet rivalries among the Emperor’s consorts.
As tutor to Empress Shoshi, Murasaki Shikibu observes and records the court's splendors and shadows with wit, melancholy, and incisive clarity. Her reflections move beyond palace intrigue to explore human psychology, relationships, and the passage of time with profound introspection.
In this modern translation by Erick DuPree, Murasaki’s voice resonates with renewed vitality—sharp, luminous, and achingly relevant. DuPree’s careful rendering invites contemporary readers into a world where societal conventions are both chronicled and questioned, and where the human heart’s truths remain timeless.
The Diary of Murasaki Shikibu reveals:
A rare first-person account of Heian court life by one of the world’s earliest novelists
An intimate portrait of women’s experiences, alliances, and agency within a rigid hierarchical society
A meditation on ambition, aging, sorrow, and spiritual searching in a world of outward splendor and inner complexity
Through Murasaki’s luminous prose, readers are transported across a millennium, discovering the enduring power of words to illuminate even the deepest recesses of the human experience.