"Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji: A thorough explanation of the appeal of classical literature and its influence on modern times"

"The Tale of Genji": The beauty of classical literature depicted through animation

Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji is a 1987 Japanese animated film based on the masterpiece of classical literature, The Tale of Genji. The film was produced by Group Tac and Herald Ace under the direction of Gisaburo Sugii, and co-produced by The Asahi Shimbun Company, TV Asahi, and Nippon Herald Film Group. It was released theatrically on December 19, 1987. It is a one-episode, 110-minute feature-length animated film distributed by Herald.

About the original "The Tale of Genji"

The Tale of Genji is a full-length novel depicting aristocratic society in the Heian period, written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century. This work, which consists of 54 volumes, revolves around the life of Hikaru Genji and the people around him, and deals with a wide range of themes, including love, politics, and human relationships. With its beautiful writing style and profound content, The Tale of Genji is said to be the pinnacle of Japanese literature and is highly regarded around the world.

Summary of the animated film "Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji"

"Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji" is a challenging endeavor that condenses all 54 volumes of the original work into a 110-minute film. Director Gisaburo Sugii has created an animated work that pursues visual beauty while extracting the essence of the original work. The story is uniquely structured, focusing on the life of Hikaru Genji, but also told from Murasaki Shikibu's own perspective.

Production background and staff

This work was co-produced by The Asahi Shimbun Company, TV Asahi, and the Nippon Herald Film Group. The production companies were Group TAC and Herald Ace, and the director was Gisaburo Sugii. Gisaburo Sugii worked with many staff members on a trial and error basis to express the worldview of the original work in animation while adhering to his own aesthetic.

Animation Features

The animation of "The Tale of Genji" is known for its beauty and detail. The scenery, costumes, and architecture of the Heian period are depicted in minute detail, faithfully recreating the worldview of the original work. There is also attention to detail in the use of color and the expression of light, making it a work that pursues visual beauty. In particular, the scenes that depict the beauty of nature, such as the scenery of the four seasons and the moonlight shining in the darkness of night, are stunning.

Story and Characters

While the film focuses on the life of Hikaru Genji, it also tells the story from Murasaki Shikibu's own perspective. Hikaru Genji grew up under the favor of his father, Emperor Kiritsubo, and while he had romantic relationships with many women, he also became embroiled in political intrigue. In particular, his meeting and parting with Lady Murasaki is portrayed as a crucial episode that greatly changed Hikaru Genji's life. The film also depicts Hikaru Genji from Murasaki Shikibu's own perspective, as well as the feelings she had, creating a structure that conveys the depth of the original work.

Music and Sound

The music in "Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji" is an important element that brings out the beauty of the original work. It was composed by Toru Takemitsu, a master of film music, and beautiful melodies based on gagaku music from the Heian period color the story. The sound effects, including the sounds of nature and the wind, were also carefully designed to recreate the worldview of the original work. In particular, the sounds of nature are used effectively in scenes depicting the scenery of the four seasons, and when combined with the visual beauty, they create a deep impression.

Recognition and Awards

"Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji" was highly praised from the time of its release. It was especially praised for the beauty of its animation and its faithful reproduction of the worldview of the original work, and won many film awards. For example, it won the Animation Film Award at the 42nd Mainichi Film Awards and the Excellence in Animation Award at the 11th Japan Academy Film Awards. It also received high praise overseas, winning the Grand Prix at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival in 1988, and other international acclaim.

Significance and influence of the work

"Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji" is a challenging attempt to depict "The Tale of Genji," the pinnacle of classical literature, in the form of animation, and its significance can be said to be great. By visually expressing the beauty and profound content of the original work, this work provided an opportunity to understand "The Tale of Genji" from a new perspective. It also played a role in widely communicating the appeal of classical literature through the medium of animation. Its influence can be seen in later animation works, and it also became a catalyst for an increase in works based on classical literature.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji" is a work recommended not only for fans of classical literature, but also for those who want to enjoy the beauty of animation. It is especially a must-see for those who want to appreciate the beauty of the scenery, costumes, and music of the Heian period. Also, even those who have never read the original "The Tale of Genji" will be able to feel its charm through the movie. As for how to watch it, DVDs and Blu-rays are available, so you can enjoy it by purchasing or renting. It is also available on some video distribution services, so if you are interested, please check it out.

Related Works and References

To gain a deeper understanding of "The Tale of Genji," we recommend reading related works and references. For example, by reading a complete translation or commentary of the original "The Tale of Genji," you can get the whole picture, including parts that were not depicted in the film. Other works by director Gisaburo Sugii and animated works depicting the culture of the Heian period are also useful references. Below are some related works and references.

• The Tale of Genji, complete translation (Iwanami Shoten)
• "The World of the Tale of Genji" (Shinchosha)
• "The World of Sugii Gisaburo" (Film Art Co., Ltd.)
• "Culture and Animation in the Heian Period" (Kadokawa Shoten)

summary

"Murasaki Shikibu: The Tale of Genji" is an ambitious work that depicts the pinnacle of classical literature, "The Tale of Genji," in the form of animation. This work, which brings together director Gisaburo Sugii's aesthetics and the technical capabilities of Group TAC and Herald Ace, visually expresses the beauty and profound content of the original work, providing an opportunity to understand "The Tale of Genji" from a new perspective. This work, which has been highly praised since its release and has won many film awards, is recommended not only for fans of classical literature but also for those who want to enjoy the beauty of animation. Please watch it on DVD, Blu-ray, or video streaming services and experience its charm.