The Tale of Genji - Essay Example

(Please write here) 8 February The Tale of Genji:Questions and Answers The Tale of Genji is a novel that was written by the world famous author Murasaki Shikibu and has greatly influenced some of the world’s best pieces of culture, literature and art in the East and West Canons. In the animated version of The Tale of Genji, only coverage of the first twelve chapters has been portrayed. (1654) Thus, the film version has left out scenes and plots from chapter 13 to 54. However, in addition to this, the film also has a few extra scenes that are not in accordance with the Japanese text, in order to make the viewer understand the gravity of the psychology that the characters go through.

The opening of the movie depicts and tells the viewer about the royal prince and how he was shunned by his father and was not successor to the throne because his mother was of a lower rank. The main theme emphasized here is about the royal lives lived by each of the characters and this opening was chosen so that the viewer is able to instantly connect to the situation that the movie was based on. In the book version of the story, none of the characters really have any unique names for themselves; they are called by names that fit their individual characteristics and how they are perceived by others in society.

Thus, this is how their personalities have been created. However, in the visual depiction, the characters wear heavy traditional Japanese clothing. The surroundings and atmosphere also speaks of an old but very royal and polished Japanese setting. In the book version, Genji has been depicted as the most attractive man on the face of the planet; someone who women are charmed by and lust after. (2006) He was a prince but he continued as an imperial officer and dedicated his life to civilian affairs.

In the movie however, he has been shown as a beautiful but helpless royal who was sent away by his father and was not able to succeed him on the throne. An animated version of the Tale of Genji is better than a dramatic one as made in the past because the animated version helps to reach out to a far wider audience base. Japanese animations is also renowned world over, and for that reason alone, more people would end up watching the animated version of this tale rather than the one with human characters because the dramatic depiction might even deem boring or monotonous to some people.

Thus, the animated film is more effective in terms of adaptation because a lot more scenes can be incorporated within lesser time and cost when done with the help of animation. Better acting of scenes that might be a little tough do with people is also achievable in this case. In the film, the story is experienced through the views of Genji unlike in the novel as it is done by the narrator there. According to this tale, cherry blossoms reflect the symbol of spring and freshness and an entire festival was dedicated to them, called Hana no En.

These blossoms depicted life and liveliness and were used to make the readers and viewers feel at ease with the on goings within the tale. For me, the film did help to understand a lot of Genji’s feelings and reactions like the book wasn’t able to. After watching it and understanding it, I was able to understand Japanese literature and culture better, especially its historic past regarding the imperial period. I was able to gauge into the comprehension regarding the impositions that were put on women and the kind of pressure that was on Genji to be strong and carry out his activities while trying to rightfully pursue the love of a woman.

The film gives a very visual and clear explanation of how the traditional Japanese lived, how the courtiers and people belonging to royalty led their lives and basically, how Genji tried to follow suit and compromise and adjust with his surroundings. Works Cited 1. 1654. The Tale of Genji, Library of Congress, Asian Division. 2. 2006. Historic Shoujo Manga Circulation Numbers. ComiPress. Retrieved 2009-08-18.