MI Supplemental Information - Evanston Public Library

About the Heian period

Teen author John Green’s informative and playful video about the Heian period, 13 minutes

A short overview of classical Japan and Chinese influence on Japanese culture. Khan Academy, 4 minutes

About the Culture of the Aristocracy

Dr. Bruce A. Coats, professor of art history and the humanities at Scripps College, surveys the extraordinary literary and visual art traditions inspired by the The Tale of Genji (1 hr, 10 min)

This video, from Little Art Talks, discusses the aristocracy and the art of the Heian Period (15 minutes)

This webinar, from the Five College Center for East Asian Studies, examines aspects of traditional culture as found in The Tale of Genji, 40 minutes (Note: the last 10 minutes of the video are about teacher resources which can be skipped)

Read about the coming-of-age cermony: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coming_of_Age_Day

Genpuku (元服), Japanese coming-of-age ceremony

Read about Waka poetry: https://afe.easia.columbia.edu/special/japan_600ce_waka.htm (short read)

Ancient Japanese Waka (Tanka)Poetry – Hyakunin-Isshu / 百人一首 (15 minutes)

Read about incense: A Wisp of Smoke: Scent and Character in The Tale of Genji by Aileen Gatten (14 pages)

Listen to learn about the Koto instrument: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/503340

Listen to The Tale of Genji instrumental performance, composed by Yoshiro Hiratsuka.
Instruments: Koto and Shakuhachi

About the Religions

Read about the religions: The Way of the Gods and the Three Foreign Teachings, from William J. Puette’s Guide to The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu (3 pages)

About The Tale of Genji

This video provides an overview, with a focus on the character of Genji. Note: some plot details revealed (26 minutes)

Produced by Anneberg Learner; Lead Literary Advisor is David Damrosch, Harvard University

‘The Tale of Genji’ Is More Than 1,000 Years Old. What Explains Its Lasting Appeal? Rich, Motoko. New York Times (Online) New York Times Company. Apr 15, 2023.

The Sensualist, Buruma, Ian. The New Yorker, July 13, 2015.