Shikibu

Shikibu is best known as the pen name of Murasaki Shikibu, a Japanese noblewoman and writer of the Heian period. She is believed to have lived in the late 10th to early 11th centuries and served as a lady-in-waiting at the Imperial Court in Kyoto. The name Shikibu reflects a court title associated with her position at the time.

Her most famous work is The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari), a multi-volume narrative that follows the life, loves, and political intrigues of the courtly world around the fictional prince Genji and other figures. The novel is renowned for its psychological depth, subtle character development, and detailed portrait of Heian society. It is widely regarded as a foundational work in world literature and is often described as one of the earliest novels. The Genji comprises 54 chapters and explores themes of love, transience, and the impermanence of life.

Shikibu is also associated with The Diary of Murasaki Shikibu (Murasaki Shikibu Nikki), a diary that offers glimpses into daily life at the Heian court and the author’s observations. Details about her life are sparse, and much of what is known comes from later sources and interpretation of her writings. In modern scholarship, Shikibu’s works are valued for their innovative narrative style and for providing historical insight into Heian Japan.