THE TALE OF THE GENJI; A Novel in Six Parts by Lady Murasaki / The Tale of Genji / The Sacred Tree / A Wreath of Cloud / Blue Trousers / The Lady of the Boat / The Bridge of Dreams / By Lady Murasaki / Translated from the Japanese by Arthur Waley

London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1963. Fourth Impression 1965. Cloth. Fine/Near Fine. Thick 8vo (8 1/4" x 5 3/4"), blue cloth with gold lettering on spine, archival mylar-protected light blue red-lettered dust jacket (price-clipped), publisher's black topstain, xvi, [1-7], 8 - 1135 pages + [3] Ads. Weight: 2 lbs. 1 oz. Murasaki Shikibu (English: Lady Murasaki; c. 973 or 978 - c. 1014 or 1031) was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period. She has achieved immortal fame as the author of The Tale of Genji (ca.1000 and 1012). Murasaki Shikibu is a descriptive name; her personal name is unknown, but she may have been Fujiwara no Kaoruko. <br /> <br /> The Tale of Genji is sometimes called the world's first novel, the first modern novel, or the first novel to still be considered a classic. Contents: The Tale of Genji, The Sacred Tree, A Wreath of Cloud, Blue Trousers, The Lady of the Boat, & The Bridge of Dreams.<br /> <br /> Translator Arthur Waley (1889 - 1966) was a distinguished English Orientalist and Sinologist. He made a free translation of Genji, except for one chapter.<br /> <br /> SUPERIOR CONDITION for this hefty book. The dust jacket (price-clipped) has edgewear mainly at the head and foot of the dj's spine. A band of sunning on top and side of the dj's back panel. Internally clean with slight uniform age-toning. Previous owner's stamp on front pastedown.