PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
THE REFLECTION OF THE CONCEPT OF MARRIAGE OF HEIAN
JAPANESE ARISTOCRACY REVEALED IN MURASAKI SHIKIBU’S
THE TALE OF GENJI
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
YUNITA PRABANDARI
Student Number: 084214081
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2015
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
THE REFLECTION OF THE CONCEPT OF MARRIAGE OF HEIAN
JAPANESE ARISTOCRACY REVEALED IN MURASAKI SHIKIBU’S
THE TALE OF GENJI
AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS
Presented as Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
for the Degree of Sarjana Sastra
in English Letters
By
YUNITA PRABANDARI
Student Number: 084214081
ENGLISH LETTERS STUDY PROGRAM
DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH LETTERS
FACULTY OF LETTERS
SANATA DHARMA UNIVERSITY
YOGYAKARTA
2015
ii
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
iii
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
iv
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
v
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
LEMBAR PERNYATAAN PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH
UNTUK KEPENTINGAN AKADEMIS
Yang bertanda tangan di bawah ini, saya mahasiswa Universitas Sanata Dharma
Nama
Nomor Mahasiswa
: Yunita Prabandari
: 084214081
Demi pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan, saya memberikan kepada Perpustakaan
Universitas Sanata Dharma karya ilmiah saya yang berjudul
THE REFLECTION OF THE CONCEPT OF MARRIAGE OF HEIAN
JAPANESE ARISTOCRACY REVEALED IN MURASAKI SHIKIBU’S
THE TALE OF GENJI
Beserta perangkat yang diperlukan (bila ada). Dengan demikian saya memberikan
kepada Perpustakaan Universitas Sanata Dharma hak untuk menyimpan,
mengalihkan dalam bentuk media lain, mengelolanya dalam bentuk pangkalan
data, mendistribusikan secara terbatas, dan mempublikasikannya di Internet atau
media lain untuk kepentingan akademis tanpa perlu meminta ijin dari saya
maupun memberikan royalti kepada saya selama tetap mencantumkan nama saya
sebagai penulis.
Demikian pernyataan ini saya buat dengan sebenarnya.
Dibuat di Yogyakarta
Pada tanggal 31 Juli 2015


vi
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI

”No feeling will come across to others if you don’t
put them into words.”
~Daidouji Tomoyo, Card Captor Sakura~
“There is no such a thing as coincidence in
this world, There only is necessity.”
~Ichihara Yuuko, XXXHolic~
“Sometimes indeed a woman should even
pretend to know less than she knows, or say only
a part of what she would like to say…”
~Uma no Kami, The Tale of Genji~
vii
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
For
My Savior, Jesus Christ
My Parents
My Lovely Younger Sister
My Family
My Beloved Best friends
With all the LOVE that Jesus has thought me
viii
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First of all, I thank my Saviour, Jesus Christ who gives His guidance and
strengthen me to finish this undergraduate thesis. I also thank to my advisor, Elisa
Dwi Wardani, S.S., M.Hum. for being patient to guide and help me during my
thesis writing process. I would like to thank her for her support and suggestions to
improve and make my thesis better. I thank my co-advisor, Ni Luh Putu
Rosiandani, S.S.,M. Hum. for her guidance to fix any weakneses and improve my
thesis to be better. I would also thank all of the lecturers and staff of English
Letters Department at Sanata Dharma University. I thank them for their support
during my study.
Then, I thank my beloved and wonderful parents, Aprijanto Warsito and
Danny Aryatun, for their everlasting love and support during my study and in my
life. I would also thank my lovely younger sister Silvia Putri Antonia who always
helps me and cheers me up all the time, and my big family for their love and
support during my thesis writing process.
I thank all my friends in English Letters Department, for being best
friends, best family and great supporter in my thesis writing process.
I would also thank my Best Friends Forever, Monica Bendatu, Julian
Trlidanti, Hanna Maria, Ika Fitri Purnamasari, Hijikata Toshiba, who always
suport me and help me in many way during my writing process. I also thank them
for their love and also for letting me be a part of their wonderful life.
Yunita Prabandari
ix
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TITLE PAGE………………………………………………………....... ii
APPROVAL PAGE……………………………………………………. iii
ACCEPTANCE PAGE………………………………………………... iv
STATEMENT OF ORIGINALITY………………………………….. v
LEMBAR PERSETUJUAN PUBLIKASI KARYA ILMIAH……...
vi
MOTTO PAGE…………………………………………………………. vii
DEDICATION PAGE………………………………………………….. viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS……………………………………………… ix
TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………. x
ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………….. xii
ABSTRAK………………………………………………………………. xiii
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION………………………………………
A. Background of the Study…………………………………….
B. Problem Formulation…………………………………………
C. Objectives of the Study………………………………………
D. Definition of Terms…………………………………………..
1
1
7
7
9
CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE…………………………
A. Review of Related Studies…………………………………...
1. Masterpiece of World Literature ………………………
2. The World of the Shining Prince……………………
3. Guide to the Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu……
B. Review of Related Theories………………………………….
1. Theory of Character and
Characterization..........................................................
2. Theory of Setting........................................................
C. Review of Heian Era of Japan Histories…………….……….
D. Review on Marriage During Heian Era……….……....…….
E. Theoretical Framework……………………………………….
11
11
11
12
13
15
CHAPTER III: METHODOLOGY…………………………………...
A. Object of the Study…………………………………………..
B. Approach of the Study……………………………………….
C. Method of the Study………………………………………….
22
22
24
25
x
15
16
18
19
20
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
CHAPTER IV: ANALYSIS……………………………………………. 27
A. The Description about The Characters and Their
Marriages……………………………………………..………. 27
1. The Description of the Emperor’s Character in
Correlation to his Marriage ………………………....
2. The Description of Genji's Character and Marriages'
in Relation to their Marriage Life…….......................
B. The Reflection of The Aristocratic Social Life in Heian era
Through The Setting of The Novel………………………….
C. The Reflection of the Concept of Heian Japanese Aristocratic
Marriage Presented Through the Characters’ Marriages and
the Setting in the Novel………………………………………
CHAPTER V: CONCLUSION…………………………………………
28
33
39
47
53
BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………. 56
APPENDIX..............................................................................................
Summary of Murasaki Shikibu,s The Tale of Genji………..........
xi
57
57
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
ABSTRACT
PRABANDARI, YUNITA. The Reflection of the Concept of Marriage of
Heian Japanese Aristocracy Revealed in Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of
Genji Translated by Arthur Waley. Yogyakarta: Department of English Letters,
Faculty of Letters, Sanata Dharma University, 2015.
The Tale of Genji written by Murasaki Shikibu is a story about the life of
Hikaru Genji. The novel brings some issues about the culture of Heian Japanese
aristocracy. The Tale of Genji is known as one of the few Japanese texts that (in
the modern period) have had a global reach and it is also coming to be recognized
as perhaps the world first novel. By that the writer wants to enrich the list of the
literature which is used as the object of undergraduate thesis of English Letters
Study Program.
The purpose of this research is to find the concept of marriage of Heian
Japanese aristocracy which is reflected in the novel. The first objective is to reveal
and describe some important characters which are the most important element that
have direct relation with the issue. The second objective is to describe the
aristocratic society’s life that exists in the story. The last objective is to show the
concept of marriage of Heian Japanese aristocracy by relating the concept of
marriage with the description of the characters and the society.
The writer used library research for this study. The primary source was the
novel The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki Shikibu translated by Arthur Waley.
The secondary sources were taken from various sources that conducted the
analysis by considering its relevancy and appropriateness.
The society mentioned in the novel is limited only about the aristocrats
and imperial people. The first idea about the concept of Heian Japanese
Aristocratic marriage is that the aristocrats follow the polygamy system, but it
only works for the men since the society use patriarchal system. The second
concept of Heian Japanese Aristocratic marriage is the equality of rank or social
status between the groom and the bride decided to be the official/principal wife.
The men allowed to have many concubines and it does not require rank equality.
The third is the purposes of the marriage itself. The purposes are to legalize the
relationship between two lovers, to gain prosperity and social status, and to bind
two families which are agreed to give mutual benefit to each other.
xii
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
ABSTRAK
PRABANDARI, YUNITA. The Reflection of the Concept of Marriage of
Heian Japanese Aristocracy Revealed in Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of
Genji Translated by Arthur Waley. Yogyakarta: Program Studi Sastra Inggris,
Fakultas Sastra, Universitas Sanata Dharma, 2015.
The Tale of Genji yang ditulis oleh Murasaki Shikibu adalah sebuah cerita
mengenai kehidupan Hikaru Genji. Novel tersebut mengangkat beberapa hal
mengenai kebudayaan aristokrasi Jepang di Era Heian. The Tale of Genji dikenal
sebagai salah satu dari beberapa teks berbahasa Jepang yang (di periode modern)
memiliki cakupan luas dan mulai diakui sebagai kemungkinan novel pertama di
dunia. Karenanya penulis ingin memperkaya daftar literature yang digunakan
sebagai objek skripsi di Program Studi Sastra Inggris.
Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menemukan konsep pernikahan
aristokrasi Jepang di Era Heian yang tercerminkan di dalam novel. Sasaran yang
pertama adalah untuk mengungkap dan mendeskripsikan beberapa tokoh penting
yang merupakan elemen terpenting yang memiliki hubungan langsung dengan
persoalan terkait. Sasaran yang kedua adalah untuk mendeskripsikan kehidupan
social aristocrat yang ada di dalam cerita. Sasaran terakhir adalah untuk
menunjukkan konsep pernikahan aristokrasi Jepang di Era Heian dengan cara
menghubungkan konsep pernikahan dengan deskripsi dari beberapa tokoh dan
masyarakat.
Penulis menggunakan penelitian pustaka untuk studi ini. Sumber
utamanya adalah novel The Tale of Genji karangan Murasaki Shikibu yang
doterjemahkan oleh Arthur Waley. Sumber data yang lain diambil dari bermacammacam sumber yang mendukung analisa dengan cara mempertimbangkan
keterkaitan dan kesesuaiannya.
Masyarakat yang disebutkan di dalam novel terbatas hanya pada kalangan
aristokrat dan keturunan kerajaan. Konsep pertama dari pernikahan aristocrat
Jepang di era Heian adalah bahwa para aristocrat mengikuti sistem poligami,
tetapi sistem tersebut hanya berlaku pada para pria karena masyarakat menganut
sistem patriarki. Konsep kedua adalah bahwa pernikahan tersebut membutuhkan
kesetaraan golongan atau status social antara mempelai pria dan mempelai wanita
yang akan menjadi istri sah. Para pria diijinkan untuk memiliki banyak selir dan
selir tersebut tidak harus memiliki kesetaraan pangkat Konsep ketiga adalah
tujuan dari pernikahan itu sendiri. Beberapa tujuannya adalah untuk mengesahkan
hubungan antara dua kekasih, untuk menambah kekayaan dan status social, dan
untuk mengikat dua keluarga yang sepakat untuk saling memberikan keuntungan
satu sama lain.
xiii
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
A. Background of the Study
There are so many ways of communication used by people in order to
convey or express their feelings, and imagination, through a process of creativity.
Everything that people have seen, heard, felt, or sensed, as an input is processed in
the brain through the process of creativity that is combined with imagination
which result in an output that can be seen in many different things such as a
drawing, music, visualization, a poem, short story, novel, or another artistic
product. That will be enjoyed by other people. Some of those artistic products are
categorized as literary work.
Literary works are also ways of communication. The authors use it to
convey their thoughts, feeling and even their imagination. The literary work
involves poem, short story, novel, play‟s script, and some others written artistic
products. According to a book, A Handbook of Critical Approaches to literature,
written by Guerin, Wilfred L., Earle Labor, Lee Morgan, Jeanne C. Reesman, and
John R. Willinghan, in order to know the literary work deeper, there are four
elements, which are important in understanding literature, i.e. the work, the artist,
the universe (the world), the audience and itself.
Four elements in the total situation of a work of art are discriminated and
made salient, by one or another synonym, in almost all theories which aim
to be comprehensive. First, there is the work, the artistic product itself.
And since this is a human product, an artifact, the second common element
is the artificier, the artist. Third, the work is taken to have a subject which,
directly or deviously, is derived from existing things – to be about, or
1
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
2
signify, or reflect something which either is, or bears some relation to, an
objective state of affairs. …but let us the more neutral and comprehensive
term, universe, instead. For the final element we have audience: the
listeners, spectators, or readers to whom the work is addressed, or to
whose attention, at any rate, it becomes available. (Guerin, Labor, Morgan,
Reesman, and Willinghan, 2011: 6)
According to the quotation above, in order to know the literary work
deeper, there are four elements, which are important in seeing literature, the first
is the universe (the world), second is the artist, third is the audience and the last is
the work itself. The quotation above also give a brief explanation about the
relation between the elements which can be seen through the work as an
expression of the author, the work as the object related to the audience to whom
the work is addressed, or the work as an artistic product that imitate or reflect the
universe or the world.
One of some theories which the main focus is in the relationship between a
literary work and the universe is Mimetic Theory, mentioned in A Handbook of
Critical Approaches to literature, “The mimetic orientation – the explanation of
art as essentially an imitation of aspects of the universe.” (Guerin, Labor, Morgan,
Reesman, and Willinghan, 2011: 6). Using mimetic theory‟s point of view, a work
of literature may bring some issues that happen in the place where the author is
living. It also can be a reflection of a certain culture that either the author
acknowledges or knows well. That is why some people always say that by reading
literary books, one can learn many things about the world. A critical thought from
a reader, who wants to believe that the work brings issues of the world, leads them
to relate between the work and the history of the issue. Then, the reader will find
out whether the work is reflecting the world.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
3
Even though a work is a fiction, it is said that the work might bring certain
issue when it has the same or similar characteristic with a certain historical fact. It
is strengthened through the sufficient proof of an analysis in relation with the
author‟s life. It happens to Lady Murasaki Shikibu‟s The Tale of Genji translated
by Arthur Waley, which is used in this research.
Murasaki Shikibu‟s The Tale of Genji also brings some issues about
Japanese culture of Heian Japanese aristocracy. The idea to do this research is
triggered by Ivan Morris‟s statement in his book The World of the Shining Prince;
he said that “During their time the remote city of Heian Kyō was the most
flourishing cultural center in the world next to the Chinese capital” (Morris, 1964:
4). Even though it is said as the most flourishing culture center in the world, but
almost every important aspect in its culture is borrowed from abroad, in that time.
In Heian period, the abroad culture that mostly borrowed is Chinese culture
especially in its literature are more or less directly borrowed.
Some researchers believe that this novel brings the concept of culture of
ancient Japan. Like what William J. Puette‟s said, “Yet in the Heian period
portrayed in The Tale of Genji, these Chinese systems and beliefs, having been
digested, were in the process of essential modification to accommodate native
Japanese sensibilities.” (Puette, 1983: 26). It was done in a consideration related
to the Japanese history and a little from the history of the author‟s life, the one
who create the novel based on her imagination and knowledge. There is also a
statement from another writer that leads the writer of this research to carry on the
topic.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
4
THE HISTORY of the reception of The Tale of Genji is no less than a
culture history of Japan, for the simple reason that the Genji has had a
profound impact at various levels of culture in every historical period since
its composition, including the twenty-first century, producing what is
called “Genji culture.” Most major text enjoy a certain popularity in a
particular period among a specific community of readers, but, remarkably
The Tale of Genji has become many things to many different audiences
through many different media over a thousand years, a position unmatched
by any other Japanese text or artifact. It is also one of the few Japanese
text that, in the modern period, has had a global reach, coming to be
recognized as part of world literature, earning acclaim as perhaps the
world first novel,... (Shirane, 2008: 1)
Haruo Shirane, in his book Envisioning The Tale of Genji: Media, Gender, &
Cultural Production, mentioned that The Tale of Genji is one of the few Japanese
text that yet has had a global reach and being recognized as part of world
literature. By that statement the writer‟s encouraged to bring out the topic of this
research as her undergraduate thesis. The writer wants to enrich the list of the
literature which is used as the undergraduate thesis.
To strengthen the idea that the novel brings the concept of culture of
ancient Japan, a statement by George Sansom is also quoted. He says, “It is safe to
say that Chinese thought contributed in Japan more to the organization of society
than to the spiritual development of the individual” (Sansom, 1979: 98). Due to
the similarities between what are portrayed in the novel and the history, then it is
true that this novel brings some concept of culture of ancient Japan. One of many
cultural aspects which are brought up in the novel is its concept of marriage.
Generally marriage is known as an institution that legalized man and
woman relationship, but deep in the society, it grows to be something more than
that. Some aspects in the society, such as its politic, economy, morality,
religiosity, social life, also influence it. Those aspects have big possibility in
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
5
influencing the concept of marriage. The term which is applied in marriage is both
on ceremonial event and legal contract which might be changed in its purpose,
meaning or its rule. The changing depends on the society because marriage and all
of its terms is one of many cultures that produced and agreed by society.
The concept of marriage itself has existed since the ancient time in some
societies. Each region has its own rules and ways about marriage. For example,
ancient Hebrew law dictated that if a married man dies, his brother is to become
the widow‟s husband, though the main purpose is positively to take care about the
woman. While in ancient Egypt, women could have the equal rights in marriage,
even though this was not always practiced. ancient Japan also has its own concept
of marriage which occurred in its Heian era. It is mentioned in George Sansom
book, A History of Japan,
As a rule the Fujiwara achieved their ends not by violence but by the
relentless use of political pressure, which they were able to apply because
of their matrimonial relations with the throne or by means of their great
wealth and consequent influence in the provinces, where their estates
multiplied rapidly. (Sansom, 1979: 139)
Marriage can be beneficial for some organizations, group of people, institutions,
or clan in order to deal with the legal point of law such as inheritance rights.
Sometime the concept of marriage implies a purpose such as political business
where women likely treated as a commodity or possession. This is the moment
when „marriage politics‟ happen in order to get a good sponsor to support the
political power. The concept of marriage is different from generation to
generation. It depends on the kind of society where the concept grows.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
6
Japan, especially its ancient aristocrat‟s families also has its own way of
concept of marriage. It becomes unique because of cultural aspects which was
borrowed from abroad, makes Heian period different from other Japanese periods.
Invariably their faces are white and plum, their eyes long, almost closed,
slits, from which we can gather no expression, their nose a tiny
conventional hook and their mouth a delicate little circle; of their figures
we see nothing at all, since they are swathed in voluminous robes. This is
how painters of the twelfth century imagined the women of Murasaki‟s
time; their pictures represent the ideal of Heian feminine beauty which
itself was greatly influenced by that of T‟ang China.” (Morris, 1964: 201202)
It has unique point of view about beauty and its perspective in approaching
woman that get strong influence from Chinese culture. In that era, Chinese culture
affects the aristocrat society with its way of life and literature. One of many great
literary works in the world was produced in Heian era. The title of the literary
work is Genji Monogatari written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu which is also known
as The Tale of Genji.
The reason why the writer does this research is because the way people to
get a better life in Heian era is through a marriage. “It is no surprise, then, to see
the tremendous concern in the novel with marital alliances, for practically the only
way of climbing the Heian social ladder was by securing a good match for one‟s
offspring.” (Puette, 1983: 28) meaning to say, people of that era are fully aware of
„marriage politics‟ which can bring them into a better future. In order to get a
good sponsor for their family, they should prepare their daughter to be a good
woman so that she might be chosen by a high rank nobleman or even an imperial
one to be wife. Here in this research, the ancient literature, The Tale of Genji
written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu, uses to reveal the concept of marriage which
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
7
occur in that time as it is reflected in the novel. This literature is the right one to
reveal the concept of marriage of the ancient Heian Japanese aristocrat. Through
the characters love stories and their marriages which are highlighted in the novel,
the concept of marriage of Heian Japanese aristocrat can be revealed in detail.
B. Problem Formulation
Based on the idea that is described in the background, to do the research,
here are the problems formulations:
1.
How are the characters and their marriages described in the story?
2.
How is the aristocratic social life in Heian era reflected through the setting
of the novel?
3.
How is the concept of Heian Japanese aristocratic marriage presented
through the characters‟ marriages and the setting in the novel?
C. Objectives of the Study
From the statement above, the purpose of this research is to find the
answer of the topic that asking about Murasaki Shikibu‟s The Tale of Genji
that it is bringing the world issue about the concept of marriage of Heian
Japanese aristocracy. To answer the topic, it will go through some elements
that will give some details to reach to the answer.
Based on the problems formulated, there are three objectives in this
research. The first objective is to work on the topic by revealing and
describing some important characters‟ life and their marriage. The writer
decides to use the characters in the novel to find out the concept of marriage
since the story does not have an organized plot. Besides, character is one
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
8
important intrinsic element in a literature that has a direct relation with the
issues or problems happening in the story. It is because the characters are the
ones who experience and dealing with all of the issues and moments in the
story. That is why the writer describes and reveals the characters as one of the
objective in this research. It is done to help the writer to give proof and
elaborate explanation about the concept of marriage which exists in the novel.
The second objective is to describe the aristocratic society‟s life that
exists in the story. This objective also becomes an important element that has
strong influence in revealing the topic. As mentioned in the title, the decided
topic about marriage of Japanese aristocracy is set in a certain Japanese
period called Heian period. Since the characters are living in society and
environment (the setting) of the story, it can give some details to explain the
topic. In this case, society is the one that build and bring the culture for its
entire population. That is why the society becomes the second objective to
work on.
Finally, the last objective is to show the concept of marriage of Heian
Japanese aristocracy. By relating the concept of marriage with the description
of the characters and the society, the writer wants to reveal the concept of
marriage of Heian Japanese aristocracy that exist in the novel, and how is the
issue of the concept of marriage of Heian Japanese aristocracy brought in the
novel.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
9
D. Definition of Terms
Heian
Heian era according to Damien Keown in A Dictionary of Buddhism is a
period of Japanese history that takes its name from its time when the capital was
located in the city of Heian-kyo (Kyoto) from 794 until 1185. Ivan Moris, in his
book The World of the Shining Prince said that “In 794 the year of the second
move, an imperial edict announced that the new capital would be called Heian
Kyō, the city of peace and tranquility” (Morris, 1964: 2). This Japanese period is
known for its culture especially for its literature. Ivan Morris stated, “During their
time the remote city of Heian Kyō was the most flourishing cultural centre in the
world next to the Chinese capital” (Morris, 1964: 4). In this period, to have high
intelligence is when a person is able to make at least a mere imitation of Chinese
literature such as its poetry and prose. Morris also said that “No man could count
himself cultured unless he had what corresponded to a „classical education‟ that is
to say, was familiar with Chinese literature and able to produce passable
imitations of Chinese poetry and prose” (Morris, 1964: 10). Heian era is an era
where the people especially its aristocrat were in great affection of Chinese
culture. It happens because of the Emperor admiration of Chinese culture
especially its literature, so that he manages all people in the court to be affected to
it.
In this era of Japan, its history related to the marriage issue is mostly
described through the history of Fujiwara Family/ clan , who have a strong
influence on the Court through marriages.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
10
It is not easy to account fully for the success of this family. It is true that
they held a position of great advantage in that their daughters regularly
married into the imperial family, and as a rule a Regent was uncle or
father-in-law or grandfather to the occupant of the throne, or father of the
sovereign's second consort or favourite. Yet they (or many of them) appear
not to have been moved solely by vain personal ambition, but to have truly
wished to guide the monarchy in the interest of the state. (Sansom, 1979:
142)
It is described by Sansom, in his historical study of Japan that the Fujiwara
family has the strongest influence on the Court. Their successful penetration into
the court is due to their cleverness in making links with the imperial family by
marriages. The Fujiwara family try to reach the highest position, so that they can
get more advantages and maintain their political influence in the court.
Eventhough they try to manage an absolute influence, it is described that the clan
do not want to take over the throne or conquer it. Their only intention is to help
and give a fullest guidance to the monarchy to have a powerful control of the land,
and to reach their goal, they have to get the nearest position to the throne. The
fastest way to get the link to the highest position is through marriage.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A.
Review of Related Studies
As far as the writer‟s knowledge, there is one research that already done
by Monica Imanuela Bendatu which is using The Tale of Genji as its subject
(found in the list of Undergraduate thesis title of English letters). The topic is
about The Representation of Women’s Life in Heian Era Through the
Characterization of Murasaki no Ue in Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji.
Here the writer also uses the same novel written by Murasaki Shikibu and find a
different topic that can be researched. Some references will be needed to do the
research, and here are some references that the writer is used to conduct the
research.
1.
Masterpiece of World Literature
The kind of relationship between woman and man depends on every aspect
that exists around them. The relationship between man and woman can be
different according to its setting, the place and the time where they live in. It
might happen because each country and each era has its own culture and concept
of morality, ethics, and social behavior which differ from one another. Another
element in the society that takes an important role which gives limitation to man
and woman relationship is social status. According to Frank N. Magill:
The first section treats Genji, “The Shining One,” as a child and as a
young man, idealistic but often unwise, learning the art of courtship and
love. It also introduces Murasaki (Who is certainly not the author, unless
by ironic contrast), first as Genji‟s child-concubine then as his second
11
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
12
wife. Her character, thus, is tentatively sketched. In the other part of the
book, she learns about the romantic and political intrigues of court life,
becomes sophisticated in practicing in her own wiles, and finally – in the
section titled “Blue Trousers” – dies of lingering, wasting disease. The
early Tale of Genji, however, treats the hero and heroine as youthful,
hopeful, and inexperienced, before they fully understand how to play the
cynical games of love and dissembling. (Magill, 1817: 836)
According the review, the Japanese aristocrats described in The Tale of
Genji shows some indication of patriarchal system, political issue and also marital
life. The concept of patriarchal shown by the society in the novel that the man is
the one who should decide for his family. The political life also appeared in the
story and it is shown in the „marriage politic‟ that they use to conduct their
political power. The story focuses on its court life with the aristocrat‟s politic
affair. Besides that, it is also mostly telling the reader about the imperial love
affair and the way the imperial descendant lives their life and grows in the court
life.
2.
The World of the Shining Prince
Another study that also uses Lady Murasaki Shikibu‟s The Tale of Genji as
its object is The World of the Shining Prince by Ivan Morris. Morris give the
reader a glimpse of court life in ancient Japan uses Lady Murasaki‟s masterpiece.
In his book, he stated:
During most of the early period the imperial family had been merely
primus inter pares, one of the many powerful septs that held sway in
different parts of the island. The movement about centralization, which
culminated in the Great Reform of the seventh century, aimed at putting an
end to clan rivalry and creating a centralized bureaucratic state on the
Chinese model. (Morris, 1964: 41)
Morris thought that if it is set that way; then the emperor might have the
supreme power for over all the land and its people, of course including the former
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
13
clan leader that could be the emperor‟s rival in strength. In his book, Morris gives
the reader a labour explanation about the history of ancient Japan. He found that
the literature that was produced in that time is reflecting the history of ancient
Japan, through Genji Monogatari or translated as The Tale of Genji by Lady
Murasaki Shikibu. Besides of Heian politic in the court, Morris also gives a shot
for some descriptions on the court marriage that is also highlighted in the story.
The prevalence of marriage politics specifically strengthened the position
of the principal wife, but indirectly it increased the prestige of women in
general. The „good people‟ made themselves still better by arranging
advantageous marriages for their daughters, if possible to an emperor or
imperial prince. Even a girl of humble provincial parentage might enter
into a relationship with a man of the highest rank. (Morris, 1964:207)
In his book, The World of the Shining Prince, Morris describes that
marriage is not merely an institute that only joining man and woman to be one and
make a family but it could be something else that helps another aspect to develop.
In its case, marriage helps the political aspect of the society. Through marriage,
aristocrats in that time could gain some backup power for their position in court.
Even the lower rank people of the court also could gain a strong sponsor through
the marriage of their daughter with an imperial family or even an emperor. In this
part, the ancient Japan that Morris talk about is in its Heian period where the
novel The Tale of Genji takes it also as its setting.
3.
Guide to the Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu
There is also a study on Lady Murasaki Shikibu‟s novel The Tale of Genji
which is written by William J. Puette. The title of the book is Guide to the Tale of
Genji by Murasaki Shikibu. It splits into three parts. The first part, presents about
some importance feature in the novel. For example are the explanation of Heian
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
14
Japan Era as the setting, a brief biography of Murasaki shikibu as the author of the
novel, and also a brief guidance for reader of both version of the translation of the
novel by Arthur Waley and Edward Seidensticker. The second part, presents
detailed chapter of The Tale of Genji with commentaries of each chapter from
chapter 1 to 9, and gives summaries of chapter 10 to 54. The third part, Puette
present some notes on the structure of the novel. In this part he also gives some
critical questions for the reader who wants to do a further study on the novel.
In his book, he gives a brief guide of The Tale of Genji to the reader. This
book presents some illustrations about the historical issue. He gives some
explanation about Heian Era which is used as the setting in Murasaki Shikibu‟s
novel,
Consequently, the world of The Tale of Genji is not really the world of
Heian Japan at large; it is more accurately the refined world of the inner
circle of the highest class in the land. (Puette, 1983: 25)
In an instant reading, a reader may mistake the social structure in the novel
as a whole representation of Heian Era in Japan. While in close reading, the reader
may find that it is not a whole representation of Heian Japan but only focus on its
aristocrat which Puette‟s mentioned as „the inner circle of the highest class in the
land‟, in the quotation above.
Those are some of related studies that the writer‟s used to conduct this
research. For the related studies picked by the writer, as can be seen, most of them
discussing about some important feature of the novel such as the setting, the plot,
and the characters of the novel. All of the related studies do provide a great deal of
information that fits the intrinsic of the elements of the novel for the research.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
B.
Review of Related Theories
1.
Theory of Character and Characterization
15
Abram said that “a character is the person presented in a dramatic or
narrative work, who are interpreted by the reader as being endowed with moral,
dispositional, and emotional qualities that are expressed in what they say-the
dialogue-and by what they do-the action” (Abram, 1993: 23). This is the most
suitable theori that can help the writer to extract some characters in the novel, in
order to reveal the concept of marriage.
The writer also use characterization theori from Barnet. The theori is about
the way to understand and find out the characteristics of the characters. It help the
writer to expose and bring out the proof of the concept of mariage of Heian
Japanese Aristocracy from the novel.
a. what the character says
How the character says will help the readers interpret his or her
characteristic.
b. what the character does
The readers or audience can learn the attitudes or behaviors of a character
and they may guess how actually the author creates the characters.
c. what the other characters says about the character
A character interacts with other characters. They share their opinion and
gives comments about the character. Such opinion and comments may
reflect the characteristic of the character drawn.
(Barnet, 1988:712)
Barnet‟s theory gives the point in what part of a novel we can seek the description
about the character and its characterization. In a novel, reader will find the
characters description through some point that often used by the author. In order
to give the reader some detail about the story or the character in the novel, some
authors prefer to use both societies around the character and the character itself to
give a description about it. On the other hands, some authors choose to use the
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
16
societies around the character to give an explanation about the characters in the
story. Just like Barnet‟s theory on Character and characterization mentioned
above, those are parts of the novel that can help the reader understand the
characteristics of the characters.
2.
Theory of Setting
To analyze the concept of marriage in The Tale of Genji there is a theory
needed to help the writer in giving a limitation for the explanation so that the
explanation will always focus on the topic decided. The main topic is the concept
of marriage of Heian Japanese aristocracy. From the topic it is obvious to see that
this topic needs to deal with a setting of a certain time and place. To deal with a
set of time and place, theory of setting can be the most proper theory to be used.
Because of that, the writer have to know about the detail of the setting of the
story, such as time and place where the story is set, the environment of the
society, the atmosphere, and others. According to Harmon and Holman:
Setting is the Background against which action take a place. The elements
making up a setting are: (1) the geographical location, its topography,
scenery, and such physical arrangements as the location of the windows
and doors in a room; (2) the occupations and daily manner of living of the
characters; (3) the time or period in which the action takes place, for
example, epoch in history or season of the year; and (4) the general
environment of the characters, for example, religious, mental, moral,
social, and emotional conditions. (Holman and Harmon, 1986:465)
Except the geographical location, its topography, and scenery, the rest of
those elements in the theory of setting are found in the novel and also influenced
the existing concept of marriage. Beside, It gives the writer a wide scope of
setting so that through the elements the writer can reveal the setting of the story.
Harmon and Holman‟s theory of setting is clearer because of the example that
they give to each point. In this theory, some aspects that might exist in the story
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
17
were mentioned as the example for each of four element of setting which make it
clearer.
According to Barnet, setting is not just looking at the location of the story
but is mainly about the atmosphere and the background of time that exists in the
story. Like what Barnet said:
The setting or environment is not mere geography, not mere locale: It
provides an atmosphere, an air that the characters breathe, a world which
they move. Narrowly speaking, the setting is the physical surroundings –
the furniture, the architecture, the landscape, the climate – and these often
are highly appropriate to the characters who are associated with them.
Broadly speaking, setting includes not only the physical surroundings but
also a point (or several points) in time. (Barnet, 2005: 230)
Barnet gives detail scope to seek for the setting of the story through the
details of the things surround where the characters live. In Barnet‟s theory, some
entity around the characters can be the setting of the story. From the furniture, the
building‟s architecture, the landscape and also the climate that described in the
story, the reader can get some clues about when, where, and in what time the story
is set.
While according to Abrams, the overall setting of a narrative or dramatic
work is “the general locale, historical time, and social circumstances in which its
action occurs; the setting of a single episode or scene within such a work is the
particular physical location in which it takes place” (Abram, 1981: 284). Those
are some theories that can help the writer reveal the answer of the problems
formulated.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
C.
18
Review of Heian Era of Japan Histories
There is certain circumstance that gives specification to this research. It is
mentioned in one of the related studies above. The circumstance that gives
specific topic for the writer is the setting of the novel which refers to certain
period of time of Japan Nation. For that reason, a reference about its history is
needed to be presented in this research.
To help the explanations on the era of Japan that bounding the novel, the
writer uses a book titled as A History of Japan to 1334 which is written by George
Sansom. In the book, he gives explanation about his historical study about the
growth of Japanese civilization chiefly in its political and social terms. He
provides the reader much information about the history of Japanese civilization,
from its early years to year 1334. The chapter in this book is organized, based on
the period of each era occurs in Japan.
Much information like the topographical of the Capital, the political
interest, the people who rule the land and the society of each era with its interest
of beauty and belief are well organized in each chapter. Not all of chapter consist
in the book are used to conduct the writer‟s research. The writer used only some
topic related to the research which explains about the history of Japan in Heian era
described in its sixth chapter. One of the major even brought out is about a clan
called The Fujiwara who built their clan bigger and wider by penetrating the court
with those people of Fujiwara clan. “The Fujiwara family continued to pursue its
policy of gaining political power by providing Fujiwara ladies as imperial consort
or concubines…” (Sansom, 1979: 102). They are gaining political power support
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
19
through political marriage which automatically conducting their clan to control
the flow of the court‟s politics.
D.
Review on Marriage During Heian Era
During Heian era, there are some aspects that make this era looks like a
period that has unique culture. Part of the culture that is also influential in this
period, to be a unique one is its marriage. According to Ivan Morris, “courting and
marriage costumes differed according to the particular degree of relationship
(principal wife, concubine, etc.) it is nevertheless possible to formulate a general
pattern that had been adopted by the upper classes in Murasaki‟s time” (Morris,
1964: 214). The man in the court especially the descendant of the imperial family
can have more than one wife. When the court‟s aristocrat fall in love with a
woman from a low rank and her rank is not worthy enough to be an official wife,
then she will be placed as a concubine. Out of those statuses, man‟s relationship
with woman is counted as an affair that later in the analysis some of the
relationship will be seen as a part of a ceremonial even that shall be done far
before the marriage ceremonial even.
Related to flourishing literature in this era, a concept of marriage that
exists in this time gives some contribution in the literature development where
women‟s writing is dominant in some moment during Heian era. Like what
Morris stated:
According to some writers, the exclusion of women from all public affairs,
combine with the prevailing system of polygamy, gave them an immense
amount of free time that they could devote to literary pursuits, whereas
men were too busy with their official duties and with satisfying the
demand of their numerous Wives and mistresses. (Morris, 1964: 200)
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
20
The one that actually shall do the diary writing is the man. However due to
the situation that mentioned in the quotation above, women can fill their leisure
time to make a writing which in Japanese it is called as nikki, means diary.
E.
Theoretical Framework
The writer will use the theory of character and characterization to analyze
the characteristic of some important characters in the story. The theory of
character and characterization will help the writer to answer the first problem
formulation. In order to see the concept of marriage exists in Heian era, the
description about the characters and its characteristics is needed. By using the
theory of character, the writer will understand the prevailing concept of marriage
through the characteristic and the characters‟ marriages in the novel. Both of them
will be faced to the conditions and terms that occur in the story. As a result of
facing those aspects, it brings out the concept of marriage which exists in the
novel.
Meanwhile, the theory of setting will help the writer to analyze what kind
of Heian era is and gives detail explanation which can reveal what, when, and
where the story is set. This theory can help the writer to answer the second
problem formulation about the marriage as the setting of the story. To strengthen
the proof that the concept in the story match with the concept of marriage that
exist in history.
In doing this research, first the writer will identify the characteristic of the
characters and their marriages in the story. Second, the writer will find out how
the marriage as the setting of the story was described in the story. The last, using
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
21
the help from the first and second descriptions, the writer will find out the concept
of marriage presented through the characters‟ marriages and the setting of Heian
Japanese aristocracy from the story. Then the conclusion will follow afterward.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
A. Object of Study
Genji Monogatari, written by Murasaki Shikibu is one of some the world’s
oldest novels. The Tale of Genji as it is called in the translation version. It was
written shortly after the year 1000 in Japan, when the era was called Heian.
Genji Monogatari is, many agree, the world’s oldest novel, written a
thousand years ago, but almost totally unknown to western reader until the
appearance of the fine translations of Arthur Waley and Edward G.
Seidensticker in this century. (Puette, 1983: 23)
The novel that is used by the writer in doing this research is The Tale of
Genji translated by Arthur Waley with a new foreword by Dennis Washburn
which was printed in Singapore under the Tuttle Publishing, a registered
trademark of Tuttle Publishing – a division of periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. It was
printed by in the year of 2010. According to Dennis Washburn in his foreword of
The Tale of Genji, the Arthur Waley translation of Lady Murasaki’s masterpiece,
the translation of the novel by Arthur Waley has the beauty for expressing the
main text, Genji Monogatari.
The translation of The Tale of Genji by Arthur Waley (1889-1966) in six
part between 1921 and 1933 was a seminal achievmen. Widely praised at
the time of its publications for its stylistic beauty and its masterly
rendering of characters and setting, the work showed that literary
translation, especially from Asian Language, was not merely a narrow
scholarly or instrumental persuit, but a task that could be considered an art
form in itself. (Shikibu, 2010: ix)
22
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
23
For the reader of nowadays will find it rather difficult to understand the
story because of the language style that the translator, Arthur Waley uses the
nearest expression to express the original novel which is written in full Japanese
language.
In the story, Genji, the hero of the Tale, is the son of the emperor and his
favorite concubine, Kiritsubo. A Korean fortune teller predicts a brilliant future
for Genji but his mother suffers the jealousy of rivals at court, becomes ill and
dies, then the distraught emperor eventually finds another concubine, Fujitsubo,
who reminds him of his former love, kiritsubo. Since Genji lack of backing at
court, the emperor makes him a commoner, assigning him as the membership of
the non-royal Genji clan and let the eldest son of the emperor and Lady Kokiden
becomes the heir apparent. Genji becomes an uncommonly handsome, talented,
and gifted young man, admired by all people but feared by Lady Kokiden and her
family because of his potential figure to be a perfect heir apparent.
The first part of the Tale follows his amorous exploits with a variety of
ladies in and around Heian-kyo, his friendship with To no Chujo and arranged
marriage to To no Chujo's sister Aoi, the birth of his son and his growing
relationship with the young Murasaki. Meanwhile, the old emperor dies and is
succeeded by Lady Kokiden's son. Genji's amorous intrigues cause a scandal at
court and he is forced to leave the capital and live in Suma for several years.
During this second part of the Tale, Genji meets the ex-Governor of
Harima and his daughter The Akashi Lady. Genji returns to the capital and the
emperor gives up the position as a king in favor of Fujitsubo's (and secretly
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
24
Genji's) son. Genji's position at court is restored and the Lady Akashi has a baby
girl. Genji then goes on a pilgrimage to the Sumiyoshi Shrine to give thanks to the
deity for protecting him during the storm at Suma. After his return to the capital
he settles down with Murasaki and several other ladies at his Rokujo Mansion.
During this next section of the Tale, Genji's influence at court increases
steadily and he is totally focused with the progress of his children and
grandchildren at court. Genji is persuaded to marry the Third Princess, who gives
birth to a son and soon after becomes a Buddhist nun. In the last 10 chapters, the
action shifts to the wild mountain area of Uji and the adventures of Genji's "son"
and grandson, Kaoru and Niou who are friends and rivals in love to get ukifune.
B. Approach of the Study
It is important to select the appropriate approach when certain pattern of
thought that will help to give the limitations for the study is needed to analyze the
literary work. The approaches that the researcher uses in analyzing the novel are
sociocultural – historical approach. This sociocultural – historical approach will
be used to reveal the setting of place, time, and also the society in Heian era in
order to know the concept of marriage of Heian Japanese aristocracy that revealed
through the story. Mary Rohrberger and Samuel H. Woods stated in Reading and
Writing about Literature:
Critics whose major interest is the socio cultural-historical approach insist
that the only way to locate the real work is in reference to the civilization
that produced it. They define civilization as the attitudes and actions of a
specific group of people and point out that literature take these attitudes
and actions as its subject matter…
…The traditional historical approach to literature usually takes as its basis
some aspect of the socio cultural frame of reference, combining it with an
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
25
interest in the biographical as well as knowledge of and interest in literary
history… (Rohrberger and Woods, 1971: 8-10)
According to Rohrberger and Woods, the way to connect the work with
the sociocultural – historical approach is in its reference to the civilization that
produces the work. The civilization or in common way is the society with its
culture and its way of life define as the attitudes and actions of a specific group of
people. That is why it is necessary to investigate the social surroundings in which
a work was created and which in some way it reflects ideas, issues, culture, habits,
and way of life of the society.
C. Method of the Study
The writer used library research in this study. The writer managed to find
suitable sources containing necessary data and information by considering the
factors of validity, accuracy, relevancy, and also appropriateness that could finally
decide which sources that could be used.
The primary source was the novel The Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki
Shikibu translated by Arthur Waley. The secondary data were taken from various
sources that conducted the analysis. Therefore, some review, critics, and some
works that are used in the novel as its object of study would be used also as the
data that would be compared or conducted with the writer analysis. Besides,
consulted with some people and the expert that worked on same novel or same
topic also became the method of the study.
To answer the problem formulation there were some steps that the writer
needed to find the result. Firstly, the writer had to find the characterization of
some important characters according to his or her description and action in the
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
26
novel. The theory of character by Abram in his book A Glossary of Literary
Terms and characterization by Barnet in his book Literature for Composition:
Essays, Fiction, Poetry and Drama would help the writer to figure it out. Second,
the writer had to find the description of the society that existed in the novel. To
make the writer found the society easier, the writer used the theory of setting. The
theory of setting in Barnet’s book Literature for Composition: Essays, Fiction,
Poetry and Drama could help the writer to figure out the setting in the literary
work and finally with the setting, the society could be revealed. Besides Barnet’s
book, the writer also used Abram’s book A Glossary of Literary Terms and
Harmon’s book A Handbook to Literature. From the theory of setting in those
books, perhaps the writer could describe the society clearly and could provide
elaborate explanation. Finally, the last steps was connecting the concept of
marriage with the description of some characters and the society to find the
answer of the thesis which talked about the concept of marriages of Heian
Japanese aristocracy in the novel The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu;
translated by Arthur Waley.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS
A. The Description about the Characters and their Marriages
In this first part of fourth chapter, some of the characters will be extracted
from the story. Each of their characteristic deal with the condition and term apply
in the story, the reader can get the idea about what issue brought up in the story is.
They can get it from seeing how the characters‘ dealing with the term occurs in
the story or how they correspond the happening with their own personality. That
is why the description, which shows characters personality and their characteristic,
in the novel will strengthen the issue of the prevailing concept of marriage life
through the way they correspond with a certain situation or term in the story.
Novel The Tale of Genji written by Murasaki Shikibu is telling the reader
about some generations of an imperial family. There are the generation of a
former family presented by The Emperor, the generation of a son presented by
Genji (son of the Emperor), and the generation of grandchild presented by Genji‘s
offspring‘s. Therefore, the reader might find this novel with so many characters
exist in it. Eventhough there are many characters, but only some characters are
built to have important role in the story, moreover when it comes to discuss about
marriage‘s life. In this research, two characters, the Emperor (Father of Genji) and
Genji, are seen to be the best candidates for bringing the research‘s topic. The
writer chooses them because both characters deliver most of the problems in
marriage life.
27
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
28
The Emperor is the first character that appears in the story and as an
introduction of the story. His life is exposed to describe the circumstance of court
and marriage life which is bounding to the next generation continuously. Next is
Genji. He is chosen to be another character that is presented as the comparison of
The Emperor‘s, in term of their characteristics, since Genji‘s success on keeping
his marriage life in peace. Both describe journey of marriage life in different path,
one as an Emperor and the other as a commoner of aristocrat. Eventhough they
have different social status, at the end, the problem that they have to deal with is
same. They have to face the society hierarchy and its circumstances.
The important characters are not only from its main characters, but it also
involves some minor characters. Here, the wives of the emperor and Genji will
also take a role in order to reveal the marriage life of the story. Similar with the
emperor and Genji, the character of the wives and the way they deal with their
own marriage might give some clue and description of marriage life in the novel.
In this part, both characters are put together to be used to help the writer to reveal
the description about a reflection of aristocratic marriage life in the novel. Here
are the description about the characters‘ characteristics and its relation to their
marriage life:
1.
The Description of the Emperor’s Character in Correlation to his
Marriage
The story of The Tale of Genji begins with description of The Emperor‘s
life along with some wives who have important role in his life. By their
appearance in the story, The first one mentioned is his beloved Lady Kiritsubo
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
29
who is only a concubine due to her low rank. Eventhough she makes the first
appearance, but she is not the first wife. The second one mentioned is Lady
Kokiden who noticed as the first wife of the Emperor (official/principal wife)
because of her highest rank among the other ladies. And then the last one
mentioned is Lady Fujitsubo who is courted last and chosen as the empress by the
Emperor. Besides those three ladies, the Emperor still has many more concubines,
but those three are the ladies that take important role in Emperor‘s life and in the
story.
The Emperor, the man who ruled the whole land, He has the highest power
to control everything in his territory. It is his duty to take control on all aspects
which are influencing his land and its society. For example, some aspects that are
highlighted in the story such as economic stability, social hierarchy that prevails
in its society and political flow in the Court are the major aspects that described as
some matter that need full attention and spend lot of emperor‘s time. That is why
as an emperor, he cannot do all controlling by himself. He must have some people
who help him in controlling the land and its society, such as minister of the left
who is also the emperor‘s sponsor and minister of the right, his father-in-law who
works as the political opponent of minister of the left. Therefore some decision
related to the land necessity, cannot be done technically without the ministers
endorsement.
A man of an imperial line blood who is chosen to be an emperor and get
his hands controlling the whole land, such an enormous power for an imperial
descendant can achieve. With that great title he has and the society‘s trust that an
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
30
emperor shall bring prosperity to the country, many court people want to get close
to him. Some noblemen just want to serve him and prove their loyalty while some
other try to gain their wealth and political influence. Facing that kind of situation,
ideally, an emperor shall know every court circumstance and situation. He has to
work on that matter with strategy so that he can avoid on violating the court
circumstance. On the other hand, in the story, the emperor‘s described as a one
who is ignorant, rather unrealistic, and driven easily by emotional feeling. Those
personal qualities can be seen in emperor‘s life, in the way he react and decide a
way out of his matter. Those qualities are implied in his marriage life where the
emperor cannot lead his own marriage into a secure and happy marriage life. Later
in contrast with Genji‘s qualities, the personal qualities of the emperor can be seen
more clearly as the reason of his failure to keep his marriage life‘s peace.
In the court, The Emperor lives with his wife and all of his concubines. As
an emperor, he has some privileges. He has an opportunity to be with the lady he
likes the most. He is free to choose the lady to become his wife and his empress.
Eventhough it is called a privilege, but still it is bounded by some court
circumstances. For example is court circumstance that gives limitation on the
criteria of the lady who can be chosen as a wife and empress. It happens due to the
prevailing system of rank in the aristocrat society.
At the court of an Emperor (he lived no matters not when) there was
among the gentlewomen of the Wardrobe and Chamber one, who though
she was not of very high rank was favored far beyond all the rest; so that
the great ladies of the palace, each of whom had secretly hoped that she
herself would be chosen, looked with scorn and hatred upon the upstart
who had dispelled their dreams.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
31
unfortunately she was not of the same rank as the courtiers who waited
upon him in the Upper Palace, so that despite his love for her, and though
she wore all the airs of a great lady, it was not without considerable
qualms that he now made it his practice to have her by him not only when
there was to be some entertainment, but even when any business of
importance was afoot.
The emperor could no longer endure to witness her vexations and moved
her to the Koroden. In order to make room for her he was obliged to shift
the Chief Lady of the Wardrobe to lodgings outside. So far from
improving matters he had merely procured her a new and most embittered
enemy! (Shikibu, 2010: 4-6)
Lady Kiritsubo, the favored lady who described in the quotation above, is
one of The Emperor wives who obtains predicate only as a concubine because of
her low rank and lack of sponsor. The quotation describes the emperor act of
giving overflowing love to just one lady he really loved. He gives all his love and
full attention toward Lady Kiritsubo. In a glimpse, it sounds like he is being unfair.
But if it is analyzed carefully, it cannot be seen as an unfair act because he has his
own privilege to stay with the lady he likes. The fact that that man is an emperor
cannot be excluded. To be noted, not all his marriages are his will, some of his
marriages are just an arranged marriages as symbol of a unity between an emperor
and his sponsor or politic partner. Besides, he has absolute power to rule and gives
order, so that it can be understood if he acts that way to Lady Kiritsubo. In the
same time, from the description in the quotation about the Emperor‘s action when
he continuously practicing with Lady Kiritsubo to prepare her to be a lady-inwaiting eventhough he knows all of the competitiveness growing within his ladies
quarter about to be the chosen one, it gives the impression of the Emperor‘s
ignorant toward surrounding. The peak of his ignorant is shown from his decision
to make room for unfortunate Lady Kiritsubo by shifting the Chief Lady of the
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
32
Wardrobe to lodgings outside. Instead of secure the lady, it‘s more like his action
gain her more enemy who will join to treat her badly. Here then Lady Kokiden
also take her role.
…she had, after all, priority over her rival; the Emperor had loved her
devotedly and she had borne him princes. It was even now chiefly the fear
of her reproaches that made him uneasy about his new way of life.
(Shikibu, 2010: 5)
The quotation above refers to Lady Kokiden, the principal wife of the
Emperor due to highest rank she has as a daughter of the Minister of the Right,
whom the political power is in the second place, right under the Emperor. This is a
clue which is conducting the idea that the Emperor is being unrealistic. The
Emperor who already knew the condition of her beloved lady who has low rank
and with all reproaches from his principal wife, Lady Kokiden, he still pours her
with his strong affection and his full attention. He is unrealistic enough to exclude
all the rejection from Kokiden from his mind which make all Kiritsubo‘s miseries
worser day by day. Then he is even trying to make lady Kiritsuboto get the chance
to be admitted as a wife rather than a concubine by preparing her to be a lady-inwaiting. Theoretically, it is possible for an emperor to raise one‘s rank, but it has
to go through court‘s endorsement. In Lady Kiritsubo‘s case, the emperor‘s
founded become unrealistic person she has the lowest rank than the rest
concubines, which will take a long time and long process to raise her rank, while
for the time being she is been bullied by the other ladies and fading in a fast pace.
When these comings and goings became frequent beyond measure, it
would happen that on the bridges and in corridors, here or there along the
way that she must go, strange tricks were played to frighten her or
unpleasant things were left lying about which spoiled the dresses. (Shikibu,
2010: 5)
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
33
A daily life which is full of corrupt competitiveness grows intensely within the
ladies, while the Emperor‘s driven by his emotion easily. Lady Kokiden who is
filled with jealousy of the emperor‘s love for Kiritsubo, Sheledmost of the malice
deeds toward the unfortunate lady. Many bad things are done upon Lady
Kiritsubo. The Emperor cannot do something to help his beloved Lady. For now,
what he can do is just waiting for the announcement from the court for he had
increase the rank of Lady Kiritsubo not for long ago, butit is too late. The lovely
lady Kiritsubo‘s already sinking in her own great distress. Then, not for a long
time, her condition becomes worse and at last, she meets her death.
If only he is not blinded by his affection and take consideration of
surrounding and circumstance that his wives have to go through, his marriage will
not get a tragic end. It‘s his own personal quality for being ignorant, unrealistic,
and easy to be driven by emotional feeling that turns his marriage into a sad, full
of miseries and violent marriage life, which is ended with the beloved lady‘s death.
2.
The Description of Genji's Character and Marriages' in Relation to their
Marriage Life
Genji, the son of the Emperor with Lady Kiritsubo, his characteristics
description can be found in the story. It can be seen from what Genji says, his
attitudes or behaviors and also from what the other characters say or response
toward Genji. For example, in Aoi Chapter, at the moment after Lady Aoi‘s death,
Aoi‘s servants gather and talk to genji for the last time about their sadness of
Aoi‘s death and the uncertainty of their future to Genji,
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
34
―I do not forget my friends so easily as that. If there are any among you
who, mindful of the past, wish still to serve in this house, they may count
upon it that so long as I live I shall never desert them.‖ and as he sat
gazing into the lamplight, with tears aglitter in his eyes, they felt they were
fortunate indeed in having such a protector. (Shikibu, 2010: 175)
Actually, it‘s not his responsibility to take care of all servants of Aoi‘s quarter. As
after his wife‘s death he must leave from his father-in-law‘s house, where he
supposed to live with Aoi, and has to go back to his own house. Genji‘s words in
the quotation show that he can be dependable person and otherscharacters‘
response show that he is a kindhearted person who is still protecting those
servants even though it‘s his duty no more.
Besides dependable and kindhearted, Genji is also described as a
sympathetic, thoughtful or considerate, and realistic person. Those qualities of
him can be seen in his acts and some of his decision he made in his life. He is a
thoughtful person for he is so considerate in every decision he made. Like in the
time when he has to manage his own off spring‘s future and help some
unfortunate children who have no protector, he is trying so hard to find and make
a way for them to have a secure life in court. Not only searching for the best
possibility for their future but he also put full consideration on those children‘s
feeling and even take the pain to explain and discus the future plan with them and
willing to comfort them. Besides, most of those personal qualities are best
described in the way he is dealing with his wives and ladies of his household.
Compared to the Emperor‘s (Genji‘s father) description in the previous
part, these characteristics of Genji are seen as the better personalities that bring
success, especially in marriage life, but still both of them have to deal with the
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
35
existing social circumstance. As the story begins in the first chapter of the novel,
there is a brief description about situation that Genji must face. He could be the
one who get the position on the throne but the emperor cannot choose him
because of his mother‘s low rank. Then, Genji is set to become a commoner and
put in an established clan known as Minamoto clan because of his lack of family
back up. It is done in order to help Genji so that he can stay in the court. In this
situation, Genji shall begin his marriage life in his early ages (twelve years old) in
an arranged marriage made by the emperor. His plan is to get Genji his own
sponsor so that Genji can make his way in the court and help his father. His first
wife is Lady Aoi (at her sixteenth), daughter of the Minister of the Left. Genji and
Aoi start marriage life in young ages, yet no one tell them what to do or teach
them manner as husband and wife. It can be seen in Genji‘s words when he is in
ill state yet Aoi does not give any attention or even worry toward him, ―Why are
you so cold and distant and proud? Year after year we fail to reach an
understanding and you cut yourself off from me more completely than before. Can
we not manage for a little while to be on ordinary terms?‖ (Shikibu, 2010: 92).
Many misunderstanding happen between them due to their young age and
inexperience. Aoi‘spride and her persistence of her scornfulness toward Genji
make it difficult for him to approach her. Here, he shows that one of his
characteristics is patient, for he manages in dealing with his wife‘s persistence for
such a long time and still shows his devotion toward Lady Aoi. He even express
himself of his devotion and commitment of his marriage, it can be seen in the
description in the novel about Genji‘s feeling, ―after all, she was his wife;
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
36
moreover, despite all the difficulties that had risen between them he cared for her
very much indeed.‖ (Shikibu, 2010: 161). All his patient and understanding is not
for nothing, it lead him to a good future where he finally manages to make peace
with Lady Aoi, and even she is success in delivering a baby boy for him,
eventhough she is in worse state due to a spirit possession she‘s experienced
during the pregnancy. And not long after she gives birth, she faces her death, until
that moment, Genji always stays by her side although he has to go to the Great
Hall for a time because of a duty he has to work on.
A further description of Genji‘s characteristics is found in his behavior
toward surrounding especially to all gentlewomen.
He was also deeply touched by the conduct of the gentlewomen at Nijo-in,
in whom he had formerly shown so little interest. He determined
henceforward to take more pains about them. He soon found himself so
much occupied in paying small attentions to Miss Chujo, Madam
Nakatsukasa, and other good ladies of his household, that he scarcely ever
had time to leave the house. He was also much taken up with the
rebuilding of a lodge which stood to the east of his palace, on an estate
which had belonged to his father. He took great trouble over the work and
had the place put in splendid order, for it was his intention to lend it to
unfortunate or unprotected persons, such as the lady at ―the village of
falling flowers,‖ whom he could best assist if he had them near at hand.
(Shikibu, 2010: 286)
Here, He shows himself as sympathetic and thoughtful person. After he realizes
that he does not give enough attention to the ladies of his household, he feels
guilty and tries to fix it right away, different with the emperor who does not give
his attention to some of his ladies. Genji‘s aware of his ladies feeling and feel
sympathy for them he even tries his best to give attention because he supposes to
have tight schedule. Those behavior he has, help him to manage the peace of his
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
37
marriage life so that the ladies feel just and well treated. Besides, he shows
himself kindhearted and full of sympathy since he organizes a lodge to the
unfortunate ladies who he valued, such as the lady at ―the village of falling
flowers.‖ She is Emperor‘s escort who is no more get visitation from the Emperor
and Genji found her as a nice person to talk with and she makes him feel
comfortable to share story or discussing matter. This kind of act doesn‘t trigger
any jealousy between his ladies because he really takes a good care to them and
even to the servant ladies too.
After Lady Aoi, Genji‘s second wife who he cherished the most is Lady
Murasaki. Eventhough she is mentioned as Genji‘s wife, but originally, she cannot
be called as his official wife since her low rank, she cannot deserve the title as
official wife like Lady Aoi. After Lady Aoi‘s death, Murasaki acts as the Chief
Lady of the household. The other ladies give their respect toward her.
He meets Murasaki when she is still a mere infant at the temple where he
has to go through a healing ritual for his health. He found himself captivated by
her beauty and also because her face is looked alike with Lady Fujitsubo, his step
mother who is also his first love. He raises her in all best way. He thinks that to
build her become a good future wife, he has to educate her by himself. Murasaki
indeedgrows into a great lady. She becomes the one who knows Genji more than
the other ladies and always attracts Genji day by day without failing. That
becomes one of the reasons why Genji loves and admire this lady so much.
Genji‘s shown to be more open and more considerate with Murassaki.He shows
himself being comfortable with her to speak his thought and discus some things
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
38
about many aspects. Most of the time he asks Murasaki‘s opinion about some
future plans of the household. He always gives deep consideration on her at happy
or sad event. For example there is an important event that shows his consideration
toward Murasaki.
He had not himself told Murasaki about the birth of his child at Akashi,
nor was it likely that anyone else would in so many words have done so.
But he feared that some inkling of the matter might reach her, and he
finally made up his mind that it would be better for her to know all about it.
(Shikibu, 2010: 289)
This is a moment where Genji has to inform Murasaki about his girl child
that he got from Lady Akashi while Genji is in his exile and separated from
Murasaki. Of course it‘s difficult for him to reveal such an affair to his beloved
Lady. Here he is shown to be considerate with Murasaki‘s feeling in case she
knows the news from other person. He knows Murasaki so well, as she is a kind
lady who likes children. Then he tells her by himself and manages to persuade her
to bring the girl to the household to be raised by Murasaki instead of let her live in
a small province without any support and sponsor.He is being open with Murasaki
and tells her the entire problem and the reason why he has to bring the child into
the house and he even admit his fault for having such an affair while in exile. And
those are some of behavior and personalities of Genji that lead his marriage into a
peaceful marriage life especially with Murasaki where he always open and
considerate.
Both Genji and Murasaki wish to live happily and manage a peaceful
household.They do live happily for some moments until a day where he has to
Marry Princess Nyosan, daughter of his half-brother, the Emperor Suzaku. Suzaku
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
39
wants to start his retirement and ask Genji to marry his daughter for he find no
one else is capable or have sufficient experience to be a protector of such a girl of
a high title. Genji and Murasaki cannot make their dream comes true for now
Genji gains high social status for marrying a princess, and it indeed makes him
hard to keep Murasaki as a wife. But practically, since the princess is still a child,
Murasaki has to take over the role as the chief lady who manages the house. Genji
knows that Murasaki looks fine, but inside her is a broken heart even though she
can be sure for Genji‘s unchanging feeling toward her. The similarity between
Genji‘s and Emperor‘s marriage life is that in the end they have to deal with the
prevailing social system of rank equality.
B.
The Reflection of the Aristocratic Social Life in Heian era through the
Setting of the Novel
In this second part of fourth chapter, the analysis focuses on the setting of
the novel. Since the story claims in using a certain set of time in history, the
history that is explained in this part of analysis is not the whole history of its time
but more like some aspects of the history reflected in the story. As seen in the title
of the research, the object of this study takes certain time and place as the setting,
like the explanation of theory setting in chapter two of this research. To find out
about the setting of a story, it is mentioned that setting is the background against
which the act take a place. In the theory of setting, the elements defined as setting
are the geographical location, the occupations and daily manner of living of the
characters, the time or period in which the action takes place, for example, certain
part of history, and the general environment of the characters, for example,
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
40
religious, mental, moral, social, and emotional conditions. ―Consequently, the
world of The Tale of Genji is not really the world of Heian Japan at large; it is
more accurately the refined world of the inner circle of the highest class in the
land‖ (Puette, 1983: 25). In an instant reading, a reader may mistake the society in
the novel as a whole representation of Heian Era in Japan. Actually it is not a
whole representation of Heian Japan but it is limited only on its aristocrat‘s life
which mentioned as ‗the inner circle of the highest class in the land‘. From that
reference of the object of the study, the writer is sure that the novel uses a history
of a certain era of Japan called Heian as its setting. Mostly the description about
the setting in the novel are explained through the occupations and daily manner of
living of the characters, and the general environment of the characters, like
religious, mental, moral, social, and emotional conditions. Even though this part
gives some historical explanation, but the focus is still in the setting of the novel.
Since The Tale of Genji is a novel that describes in detail on every daily manner
of its characters and describes thoroughly about the characters‘ internal feelings
and the characters‘ development, another element of setting that really important
is the daily manner of the characters and general environments and the society.
Here is the portrayal of some highlighted aspects of Heian aristocratic social life
reflected in The Tale of Genji.
At the court of an Emperor (he lived no matters not when) there was
among the gentlewomen of the Wardrobe and Chamber one, who though
she was not of very high rank was favored far beyond all the rest; so that
the great ladies of the palace, each of whom had secretly hoped that she
herself would be chosen, looked with scorn and hatred upon the upstart
who had dispelled their dreams. (Shikibu, 2010: 4)
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
41
As the reader can see, in the beginning of the novel it is already described
that in the time of the story, the society is ruled by an Emperor, in a palace. It is
also impliedly said that to have many wives is common for the imperial and
aristocrat of the court. This system of aristocratic society mostly leads the ladies‘
life into a competition within the household. They can do nothing but just waiting
for the man‘s visitation to their lodge or chamber. This situation often grows
jealousy toward the chosen woman. Moreover, if the women who get the man‘s
love bestowed upon her has lower rank than the other lady. This is conducted by
Morris statement in his book about The Tale of Genji. He said that, ―Courting and
marriage customs differed according to the particular degree of relationship
(principal wife, concubine, etc.); it is nevertheless possible to formulate a general
pattern that had been adopted by the upper classes in Murasaki‘s time‖ (Morris,
1964: 214). That many wives‘ status is ordered by the ladies‘ degree. It depends
on the rank the lady has. Among the ladies, there must be one lady who will take
the title as the official/principal wife who will lead the rest of the ladies in the
house while the other lady will get the status as concubine. Besides, to become an
official wife is not easy because the people must obey the rule for a marriage in its
relation to the rank system in the aristocratic society which is required an equality
of rank between the husband and wife (official wife). It is expressed in the story.
unfortunately she was not of the same rank as the courtiers who waited
upon him in the Upper Palace, so that despite his love for her, and though
she wore all the airs of a great lady, it was not without considerable
qualms that he now made it his practice to have her by him not only when
there was to be some entertainment, but even when any business of
importance was afoot. (Shikibu, 2010: 5)
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
42
This is an example of case of a rank system. The quotation is about the Emperor
who loves Lady Kiritsubo (one of concubines) who has a low rank. The rank
existed in the society is an absolute system that has to be obeyed by all the
aristocratic peoples even an Emperor. It is explained in part A about the
Emperor‘s marriage with Kiritsubo, which is ended up with her death. ―The dead
lady had been imperiled by the Emperor‘s favor only because the Court was not
willing to accept her‖ (Shikibu, 2010: 14). She is a beloved concubine, Lady
Kiritsubo (Genji‘s Mother) who cannot be kept as an official wife due to her low
rank compared to the other. An unpredictable turn of life because of rank system
also happens to Lady Kokiden, his first wife and as his official wife. ―His eldest
born prince was the son of Lady Kokiden. The daughter of the Minister of the
Right, and this child was treated by all with the respect due to the undoubted heir
apparent‖ (Shikibu, 2010: 5). That time, she has the highest rank among the other
lady, and moreover, she gets her eldest son, Suzaku appointed as heir apparent
and she might be sure to be an empress. But later on, The Emperor has one more
wife, ―She was however of much higher rank, so that everyone was anxious to
please her‖ (Shikibu, 2010: 14). The latest wife (Fujitsubo) has far a higher rank
compared to Kokiden and becomes the empress while Kokiden just reach the high
status as a mother of an emperor which is not as high as empress.
Another case for rank system also can be seen in Genji‘s marriage life. It is
mentioned in the note from the translator of the novel that, ―Since Aoi‘s death
Genji had no wife, Murasaki being technically only a chief concubine, her mother
low rank making it impossible for her to be a kita no kata or Legitimate consort‖
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
43
(Shikibu, 2010: 626). The rank system also becomes the hardest term that Genji
has to deal with in his life. Genji, who is set as a commoner in the court by his
father the Emperor, had Aoi (was dead in her young age after give him a child) a
daughter of a Minister as his first wife. That makes Genji get the rank as high as
Aoi. So that Genji cannot take Murasaki as his official wife since she has lower
rank than him, and only becomes the chief lady of the household.
Murasaki had naturally not been slow to realize—that what Genji had not
hitherto definitely disclosed—that Nyosan had come as a bride.The
discovery came as a cruel blow, yet even so there was no reason to
suppose that the newcomer was likely in any sense to take Murasaki‘s
place. (Shikibu, 2010: 631-632)
Unpredictable event happens in his life that also gives him and Murasaki the
misery at the same time for he has to marry Nyosan, a daughter of current
emperor, Suzaku. For him to marry a princess is such a fortunate even for his
household but it also makes the distance between Genji‘s social status and
Murasaki farther than before. On the other hand, practically Nyosan is young and
act more in childish way, so that Murasaki still has to take control all the
arrangement and preparation in the household.
The Heian aristocrats have their own flow in life. Most of the main ideas
are expressed in The Broom-Tree chapter, ―We have our ups and downs – and the
woman even more than the man‖ (Shikibu, 2010: 37). Like Genji‘s case above,
the aristocrat do not know when they meet their up and down. This aspect is
described and expressed in The Broom-Tree chapter, where Genji is in a
discussion with his bestfriend To no Chujo and also two courtiers.
Uma no Kami spoke first, ―However high a lady may rise, if she does not
come of an adequate stock, the world will think very differently of her
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
44
from what it would of one born to such honors; but if trough adverse
fortune a lady of highest rank find herself in friendless misery, the noble
breeding of her mind is soon forgotten and she becomes an object of
contempt.
For sometimes people of high rank sink to the most abject position; while
others of common birth rise to be high officers, wear self-important faces,
redecorate the inside of their house and think themselves as good as
anyone (Shikibu, 2010: 20).
It is described in the story that as an aristocrat, it does not mean that one will
always be in the upper position in work, prosperity, relationship, or social status,
once he or she gets a grip on high rank by sponsor or marriage. The quotation
above gives the reader the idea that for the aristocrats the up and down work on
both men and women, but the ones who are experiencing sudden life change and
also get the impact from the change are the aristocratic women. In the court, they
have to do what they can do to survive. For the men, what they can do is to gain
prosperity by working and get a position as high as they can get. For the woman
of this era, they have to get their own sponsor or protector in order to survive and
make her way in the court. The only way to get the sponsor for a woman is
through a marriage. She has to marry a high ranked man. ―Many of them grow up
into women who it would be folly to despise; some have been admitted to court,
where they have enjoyed a quite unexpected success‖ (Shikibu, 2010: 21). Most
of the descriptions related to aristocratic life are telling the reader about the way
they have to manage their life in court. From the quotation that just mentioned, it
shows the reader about how the social is working to deal with the society's system.
Most of the aristocrat family compete one another to send their daughter to the
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
45
court so that their daughter get the chance to get married with nobleman who has
higher social status or even they are sent to marry the imperial men. Another
example, there are some descriptions of aristocratic marriage which has some
different purposes. Like Genji‘s marriage with Aoi which is held as an arranged
marriage to get him a minister as a protector.
His sponsor, the Minister of the Left, had an only daughter whose beauty
he Heir apparent had noticed. But now the father began to think he would
not encourage that match, but would offer her to Genji. He sounded the
Emperor upon this, and found that he would be very glad to obtain for the
boy the advantage of so powerful a connection. (Shikibu, 2010: 16)
Here in the quotation impliedly show the reader that in its time, marriage is not
only a legalization tool of a union between a man and woman who love each other.
Marriage can be done as a sign of a connection between two families in order to
tie their relationship as they give mutual benefit for the family. The quotation
above is about the emperor and the minister of the left who hold an arranged
marriage for Genji and Aoi. From The Emperor side, the main point of the
marriage is to get a protector for Genji who has no strong support in order to stay
in the court since he comes from a low rank mother. Meanwhile from the Minister
of the Left side, the marriage will give his family much more benefit for he will
get a son of an emperor as his son-in-law. The Minister‘s family will have
advantages since they have such a strong connection with the imperial family.
In Heian era, marriage is the fastest way to gain more prosperity. It is the
only way, especially for the women, to take a leap in raising rank, and as steps
ladder for the courtiers to get inside the upper classes. ―But it is true that a girl as
she grows up needs the backing of powerful friends if she is to make her way in
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
46
the world‖ (Shikibu, 2010: 87). That is why in the novel, there are some
descriptions about the women of its time that get their luck in getting inside the
upper classes by marrying the nobleman of the palace or the member of the
imperial. This issue is not only found from the direct description in the story but
can be seen in Murasaki‘s live. Mentioned in The Sacred Tree Chapter,
The announcement of his marriage with Murasaki was very well received
by the world at large. … Her father Prince Hyobukyo asked for nothing
better for such a match, but his wife, who had not managed to do half as
well for her own children on whom she doted, was extremely jealous of
her step-child‘s triumph, and this marriage continued to be very sore point
with her. Indeed Murasaki‘s career had been more like that of some stepchild in fiction than of a real young person. (Shikibu, 2010: 198)
Murasaki is a daughter of a prince with a mere mistress and now she becomes
Genji‘s wife. Since Genji is a son of an Emperor, it makes her now included in the
environment of the upper classes and automatically has a connection with the
imperial family. It is true that she cannot raise her career in court any further than
being a chief lady of Genji. On the other hand, the fact that she is a wife of one of
the Emperor‘s son is the most fortunate thing that can be happen upon Murasaki
who has low rank. That luck of Murasaki is the reason why her step-mother feels
jealous. She acknowledges Murasaki as a mere step daughter who has lower rank
than her daughters and yet she gets a direct connection with the imperial and
raises her social status.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
C.
47
The Reflection of the Concept of Heian Japanese Aristocratic
Marriage Presented Through the Characters’ Marriages and the Setting in
the Novel
This is the last part of the analysis. In this part, the writer will explain
about the reflection of the concept of Heian Japanese Aristocratic marriage
through the characters‘ marriages and the setting of the novel. In the previous part
of this fourth chapter, the writer already explains about the life of the Heian
aristocrats and describes how the social hierarchy works in its society. The
Emperor‘s and Genji‖s life along with their wives and their marriage life are
explained as the best example of the aristocratic life which is highlighted and
exposed in the novel. From the description and explanation about the setting of
the novel with some samples of characters‘ marriages in the second part of this
analysis, there are some main ideas about the concept of Heian Japanese
Aristocratic marriage that can be pointed out. Here, the writer will pointed out
those aspects which are revealed trough the setting of the novel and its characters‘
marriage.
At the court of an Emperor (he lived no matters not when) there was
among the gentlewomen of the Wardrobe and Chamber one, who though
she was not of very high rank was favored far beyond all the rest; so that
the great ladies of the palace, each of whom had secretly hoped that she
herself would be chosen, looked with scorn and hatred upon the upstart
who had dispelled their dreams. (Shikibu, 2010: 4)
The first idea about the concept of marriage of Heian Japanese Aristocracy
is that the aristocrats follow the polygamy system which works only for he men.
Only the men forbid to have more than one wife because of the existence of
patriarchal system in the society. It is like what had been explained in the first and
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
48
second part of this analysis chapter about the Emperor with his wife and consorts
also Genji with his wife and some other concubines. The quotation above is taken
from the beginning of the story. As it start, the story impliedly shows that the
society of the imperial/aristocrats allow the men to have more than one women as
their wife. This idea, which the writer is taken from the novel, also mentioned by
Ivan Morris, in his book, The World of the Shining Prince. In its chapter that talks
about some aspects in the author‘s of The Tale of Genji, Murasaki Shikibu‘s life,
Morris said, ―In the affluent upper classes, however it was possible for a man to
have a principal wife and several secondary consorts of a more or less permanent
nature; and this was the normal system among the ‗good people‘ of Heian‖
(Morris, 1964: 220). By that statement, the writer can also see the reflection of the
history of its polygamy system in the setting of the novel, which is exposed
deeper through the characters‘ marriages. Besides, in the quotation of Morris‘s
statement, there also exists another social system that cannot be separated with the
marriage life of the aristocrats. That social system is the social rank system. The
impact of rank system in the society of the aristocrat improves the polygamy
system.
The second idea about the concept of marriage of Heian Japanese
Aristocracy is that it requires an equality of rank or social status between the bride
and the groom, but it is only works when it comes to legalize the woman's status
as an official/principal wife. Meanwhile, for a consort or a concubine, the rank
does not have to be equal. The woman can be from higher or lower rank than the
man. From the explanation in the second part of this analysis, this concept can be
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
49
seen in some cases of the character‘s marriages described in the novel. For
example is the marriage between The Emperor (Genji‘s father) with lady kiritsubo
(Genji‘s mother).
I seem to remember that Prince Genji himself, who is reckoned the
greatest gentleman in the land, could not be put forward as a successor to
the Throne because his mother was so far inferior to the other ladies of the
court; and indeed, judged from that point of view, he is a mere waitingwoman‘s son. (Shikibu, 2010: 363)
The quotation above shows the issue about a concept of marriage in which it is
bounded strongly by the prevailing system of rank. Kiritsubo‘s low rank becomes
her limitation to be the Kita no Kata (principal wife) of the Emperor. The rule of
the rank system is also impacting the offspring, for the child can‘t claim the
parent's high rank, if it is only from one side of the parents. This system is also
become a great barrier in Genji‘s marriage with Murasaki. “The announcement of
his marriage with Murasaki was very well received by the world at large. … Her
father Prince Hyobukyo asked for nothing better for such a match‖ (Shikibu, 2010:
198). Since Murasaki has low rank from her mother sides, she cannot be Genji‘s
principal wife but to have such a high nobleman like Genji as a husband is a great
fortune for murasaki. In the end, she gets the luck in getting inside the
environment of upper classes as the beloved concubine of Genji, the high rank
nobleman of the palace who has high power, which his power is as high as a
retired emperor. It is mentioned in Wakana-part one chapter, "Genji, (though, his
rank being equal ro that of retired Emperor, he was under no obligation to do so)
went out to assist her in alighting from her coach" (Shikibu, 2010: 631).
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
50
The third point of Heian Japanese Aristocratic marriage is the purpose of
the marriage. There are three possibilities of purposes of a marriage which are
stand out in the novel. The first purpose of a marriage is used as a step ladder by
the aristocrat to climb up the society‘s social system of rank and get the protection
for a better and secure life. This purpose lead the aristocrat to raise their daughters
carefully so that those daughters have good quality as a women, so that they can
attract high ranked nobleman to marry them. Besides, there is another possibility
to get a real high ranked aristocrat. By sending the well raised daughters to the
court as a consort. That point can be seen in The Picture Competition chapter
where Genji held a picture competition with To no Chujo as his rival.
To no Chujo had presented his daughter at Court with the express
intention that she should one day share the Throne. The presence of this
formidable rival at the Palace could not fail to cause him considerable
anxiety. (Shikibu, 2010: 330)
They held the competition to attract and gain Emperor Ryozen‘s interest toward
their daughter so that one of them can be chosen as emperor‘s bride. In the chapter,
the aristocrat people intention of having a connection to the imperial is described
clearly, like in the quotation above. Most of the aristocrat prefer to gain higher
social status by marriages. If they thing their daughter is worth and equal enough
to get the higher rank match, they will offer their well raised daughter to the Court.
The second purpose of a marriage is to have a protector in order to survive since
they live in court where there is no guarantee for a secure life. This kind of
marriage can be seen in Genji's marriage with Nyosan. "That a girl of Nyosan's
rank needs, far more than anyone of ordinary birth, to be provided from the outset
with a settled home. ... I beseech you, consent to taking this one daughter of mine
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
51
under your protection" (Shikibu, 2010: 625-626). That is part of Genji's
conversation with Emperor Suzaku (Genji's half brother, the eldest son of Lady
Kokiden). They talk about the future of Emperor Suzaku's daughter, Princess
Nyosan. Emperor Suzaku has to retire because of his sickness, but before his
retirement he wants her daughter to require a secure life in court. Suzaku knows
that after his retirement, life will be different and of course the properties and
household income will decrease significantly. He is afraid of how his beloved
daughter's future will be then ask Genji to take her under his protection. Genji has
to bring Nyosan to his household as his bride for there is nobody who is already
settled and good enough to protect a princess like Nyosan except Genji himself.
Besides, his marriage with Nyosan happened because of Emperor Suzaku's
demand. The third purpose of a marriage is to bind two families which are agreed
to give mutual benefit to each other. These purposes turn marriage become a
symbol of families union and a legal way to tie both families in a beneficial
relationship. That kind of marriage is known as politic marriage. Like the
description about Genji's first marriage with Lady Aoi in the first part of this
chapter. In order to survive in the court, Genji (a son of Emperor with a low rank
concubine) has to get his own sponsor to stay in the court. Then his father, the
Emperor set a marriage for him with Aoi, daughter of the Left Minister. Both
Emperor and Left Minister agreed about the marriage. Both side get the benefit of
the marriage. The Emperor get the help and support from the Left Minister while
the Left Minister get his hand a connection with the imperial and also get a
beautiful and talented son-in-law like Genji. Both side indeed get the benefit from
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
52
the marriage, yet for the bride and the groom, they have to go through it whether
they like it or not. ―What a shame that a fine young prince should be taken so
young and settled down forever with a lady that was none of his choosing!‖
(Murasaki Shikibu, 2010: 36). It is expressed in the novel like in that quotation
that this third purpose of marriage doesn‘t consider the bride‘s and the groom‘s
feeling of love.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
CHAPTER V
CONCLUSION
This is the last chapter of this research. In this chapter, a conclusion for the
analysis is given to the reader. The writer gives the answer of the topic about The
Concept of Marriage of Heian Japanese Aristocracy Revealed in Murasaki
Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji. Through the three problem formulations which are
explained in the analysis, the writer can reveal the answer for the topic of this
research.
The first problem formulation is revealing about the idea or issue brought
up in the story by seeing how the characters are dealing with the term occurs in
the story or how they correspond the happening with their own personality and
seeing how the characters’ personality give impact on marriage life. And
eventhough this novel has so many characters exist in it, but only some characters
are built to have important role in the story. There are two characters, the Emperor
(Father of Genji) and Genji, that are seen as the suites characters to answer the
first formulation, because both characters deliver most of the problems in
marriage life. About the Emperor, the writer finds out that If only he is not blinded
by his affection and take consideration of surrounding and court circumstance that
his wives have to go through, his marriage will not get a tragic end. It is his own
personal quality for being ignorant, unrealistic, and easy to be driven by emotional
feeling that turns his marriage into a sad, full of miseries and violent marriage life.
Meanwhile, the writer finds out that Genji is described as dependable,
53
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
54
kindhearted, sympathetic, thoughtful or considerate, and a realistic person.
Compared to the Emperor’s characteristics description, these characteristics of
Genji are seen as the better characteristics that bring success, especially in
marriage life. He has personalities that lead his marriage into a peaceful marriage
life. The only thing that similar is that both of them are powerless when they have
to deal with the existence of social circumstance about rank equality in marriage.
The second problem formulation explains about the reflection of the
aristocratic social life in Heian era through the setting of the novel. The Tale of
Genji is a novel that describes in detail on every daily manner of its characters and
describes thoroughly about the characters’ internal feelings and the characters’
development. It is also related to the topic which is requiring an explanation about
a society in Heian era. Because of that, in the second formulation, the writer gives
an explanation about the portrayal of some highlighted aspects of Heian
aristocratic social life reflected in The Tale of Genji. The writer finds out that the
society mentioned in the novel is limited only about the aristocrats and imperial
people. In this era, to have many wives is common for the imperial and aristocrat
of the court, but this system of aristocratic society mostly leads the ladies’ life into
a competition within them. There is also a social hierarchy which bound the
wives. That many wives’ status in the household is ordered by the ladies’ degree.
It depends on the rank the lady has to achieve the social status as principal wife,
consort, or concubine. This system lead the society to build an insecure life for
sometimes there are some unexpected up and down in the aristocrats’ life.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
55
And the last is the third formulation. The writer uses the third formulation
to answer the topic of this research. After answering the three problem
formulations, the writer can conclude that there are some important points or ideas
about the concept of Heian aristocratic marriage. The first idea about the concept
of Heian Japanese Aristocratic marriage is that the aristocrats follow the
polygamy system, but it only works for the men since the society use patriarchal
system. So that the men are allowed to have more than one wife. The second
concept of Heian Japanese Aristocratic marriage is the equality of rank or social
status between the groom and the bride decided to be the official/principal wife.
The men allowed to have many concubines and it does not require rank equality.
It is fine to have concubines with higher or lower rank. The third point of Heian
Japanese Aristocratic marriage as the highlight is the purposes or the functions of
marriage. There are three possibilities of purposes of a marriage which are stand
out in the novel. It is safe to say that the first purpose is to legalize the relationship
between man and women since love is not used as the first consideration in
marriage. The second purpose of a marriage is to gain prosperity and social status.
For this purpose, marriage is used and considered as a step ladder by the aristocrat
to climb up the society’s social system of rank and degree. The third one is to bind
two families which are agreed to give mutual benefit to each other. These
purposes turn marriage become a symbol of families union and a method to tie
both families in a beneficial relationship. That kind of marriage is known as
politic marriage. Those are the three concept of Heian aristocratic marriage that
the writer finds out as highlighted issues in the novel.
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms, Forth Edition. New York: Holt,
Richard and Winston Inc, 1981.
Barnet, Sylvan. Literature for Compisition: Essays, Fiction, Poetry and Drama.
New York: Longman Pearson, 1988.
Guerin, Wilfred L., Earle Labor, Lee Morgan, Jeanne C. Reesman, and John R.
Willingham. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to literature. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2011.
Holman, C. Hugh, and William Harmon. A Handbook of Literature, Fifth Edition.
London: Prentice Hall, 1986.
Keown, Damien. A Dictionary of Buddishm. New York: Oxford University Press,
2003.
Magill, Frank N. Masterpiece of World Literature. New York: Harper and Row
publisher, 1817.
Morris, Ivan. The World of The Shining Prince Court Life in Ancient Japan.
Tokyo: The Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., 1964.
Puette, William J. Guide to The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu. Japan: Charles
E. Tuttle Company, 1983.
Rohrberger, Mary and Samuel H. Woods. Reading and Writing about Literature.
New York: Random House, 1971.
Sansom, George. A History of Japan to 1334. Tokyo: The Charles E. Tuttle
Company, Inc., 1979.
Shikibu, Murasaki. The Tale of Genji, Translated by Arthur Waley with a new
foreword by Dennis Washburn. Singapore: Tuttle Publishing, 2010.
Shirane, Haruo. Envisioning the Tale of Genji: Media, Gender, & Cultural
Production. New York: Columbia University Press, 2008.
56
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
APPENDIX
Summary of The Murasaki Shikibu’s The Tale of Genji
The Tale of Genji was written shortly after the year 1000 in Japan's Heian
era, when the capital was situated at Heian-kyo (present-day Kyoto). The tale
concentrates on Genji's romantic life and describes the customs of the aristocratic
society of the time.
Genji, the hero of the Tale, is the son of the emperor and his favorite
concubine, Kiritsubo. She is not feel at ease, even with all the emperor’s
protection and love, for Kokiden’s (the Emperor’s first wife) influence is very
great. Kiritsubo suffers the jealousy of rivals at court, becomes ill and dies. The
Emperor in his distraught state, eventually finds another concubine, Fujitsubo,
who resembles Kiritsubo. She reminds him of his former love. Genji loves her
first as a stepmother, but later as a woman, and they fall in love with each other.
Genji also meets the Lady Fujitsubo secretly, and she bears his son, Reizei.
Everyone except the two lovers believes the father of the child is the Emperor
Kiritsubo. Later, the boy becomes the Crown Prince and Lady Fujitsubo becomes
the Empress, but Genji and Lady Fujitsubo swear to keep their secret.
The Emperor assigns Genji as a member of the non-royal clan, called Gen
clan. Meanwhile, the eldest son of the Emperor and Lady Kokiden is made crown
prince. That happens because of Genji’s lack of backing at court. Genji is placed
by the emperor under the protection of the clan of Gen; the emperor also gives the
child the title of Prince Genji. The boy, spirited and handsome, becomes a popular
57
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
58
figure at the court. Even Kokiden cannot feel a great deal of ill will toward him.
Genji wins a secure place for himself in the emperor’s eyes, and at the age of
twelve he is not only elevated to a man’s estate but also given in marriage to
Princess Aoi, the daughter of the minister of the left, a powerful figure at court.
Genji is not impressed with his bride, nor is she entirely happy with her
bridegroom, for she is four years older than he. In the time, he engages in a series
of unfulfilling love affairs with other women, but in most cases his advances are
rebuffed, his lover dies suddenly during the affair, or he becomes bored with his
lover. in the end of Genji and Aoi’s relationship, they reconcile and even she
gives birth to a son. Unfortunately Aoi dies soon after she delivers the baby due to
possession by malice spirit. Genji is sorrowful, but he finds consolation in
Murasaki, whom he marries (in her fourteen). He has a peaceful and happy life
with Murasaki.
One day Genji has to go to exile because his amorous adventure with a
woman (oborozukiyo) is exposed. The Emperor Suzaku exiles Genji to the town
of Suma. There, a prosperous man known as the Akashi Novice (because he is
from Akashi in Settsu province) entertains Genji, and Genji has a love affair with
Akashi's daughter. She gives birth to Genji's only daughter. That event in Akashi
makes Murasaki sad but fortunately, Murasaki is a tolerant person. She bear with
the situation and even she manage to raise the daughter of Akashi, who will later
become the Empress under Murasaki’s and Genji’s guidance.
In the capital, the Emperor Suzaku is troubled by dreams of his late father,
Kiritsubo, and something begins to affect his eyes. Meanwhile, his mother,
PLAGIAT
PLAGIATMERUPAKAN
MERUPAKANTINDAKAN
TINDAKANTIDAK
TIDAKTERPUJI
TERPUJI
59
Kokiden, grows ill, which weakens her powerful sway over the throne. Thus the
Emperor orders Genji pardoned, and he returns to Kyoto. His son by Lady
Fujitsubo, Reizei, becomes the emperor. The new Emperor Reizei knows Genji is
his real father, and raises Genji's rank to the highest possible.
When Genji turns 40 years old, his life begins to decline. His political
status does not change, but his love and emotional life are slowly damaged. He
has to marry another lady, the Third Princess, Nyōsan (in her teen) because of the
Suzaku’s demand to protect her. This third marriage change Genji’s relationship
with Murasaki. It makes her feel sorrowful and her sadness gradually contribute in
decreasing her health. Not long after, Genji's beloved Murasaki dies. In the
following chapter, Maboroshi ("Illusion"), Genji contemplates how fleeting life is.
Immediately after Maboroshi, there is a chapter entitled Kumogakure ("Vanished
into the Clouds"), which is left blank, but implies the death of Genji.