The Tale of Genji, Volume 2

By: Murasaki Shikibu, Dennis Washburn - translator

Narrated by: Brian Nishii

Murasaki Shikibu, born into the middle ranks of the aristocracy during the Heian period (794-1185 CE), wrote The Tale of Genji - widely considered the world’s first novel - during the early years of the 11th century. Expansive, compelling, and sophisticated in its representation of ethical concerns and aesthetic ideals, Murasaki’s tale came to occupy a central place in Japan’s remarkable history of artistic achievement and is now recognized as a masterpiece of world literature.

The Tale of Genji is presented here in a flowing new translation for contemporary listeners, who will discover in its depiction of the culture of the imperial court the rich complexity of human experience that simultaneously resonates with and challenges their own. Dennis Washburn embeds annotations for accessibility and clarity and renders the poetry into triplets to create prosodic analogues of the original.

©2015 Dennis Washburn (translation) (P)2019 Blackstone Publishing

Surprised myself

I didn’t think I would really make it through both volumes, but glad I did. Learned a lot, enjoyed the narration and the narrative of the great Japanese classic.

Second Time Around

Volume 2 is a far better story than Volume 1. This is one of those books that the more you listen, the more it grows on you. The generations after grandpa Genji are far more interesting, multifaceted characters. The poetry is either better inVol 2 or the ear is learning to decipher the meaning. I have listened to this multiple times. There definitely is something here worth listening to.

Classic tale easily listened

What would otherwise be a daunting task the reader with his fluid grasp of Japanese vocab helps the listener enjoy the tale. The few characters he is able to differentiate in his voice is also helpful in the narration.

a different world

it is amazing to think that this world in this story existed 1000 years ago.

Excellent reading

If you want to immerse yourself in the courts of Heian Japan this recording of the Dennis Washburn translation of The Tale of Genji is the perfect vehicle. It is a marvelous story and very well narrated.