Genji

Genji is a term used for several distinct references in Japanese literature, history, and popular culture. The most famous is The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari), a classic work written in the early 11th century by Murasaki Shikibu during the Heian period. It is widely regarded as one of the world’s earliest novels and a foundational work of Japanese literature. The narrative follows the life of Hikaru Genji, the emperor’s son, and traces his loves, political maneuverings, and the courtly culture of Heian society. It is noted for psychological depth, poetic language, and its depiction of court life; the work comprises 54 chapters and a large cast of characters, with translations and adaptations continuing into modern times.

Genji also refers to the Genji clan, namely the Minamoto, in Japanese history. The term Genji derives from a Chinese-derived reading and is used in historical contexts to denote members of the Minamoto clan, which played a central role in the late Heian and Kamakura periods, including the Genpei War.

In modern popular culture, Genji is a fictional character in the video game Overwatch and its sequel, Genji Shimada, a cybernetic ninja who fights as a versatile melee assassin. The character is among the franchise’s best-known figures, recognized for mobility and blade-based abilities.

The name Genji is also used as a Japanese given name and appears in various works of fiction and history, carrying connotations of lineage and literary heritage due to its association with The Tale of Genji.