The Tale of Genji — 54 chapters
Explore all 54 chapters of The Tale of Genji and the illustrated scrolls that depict them.
Chapters marked with a scroll badge have surviving illustrated scrolls you can view.
The 54 Chapters and The Tale of Genji Emaki
The Tale of Genji, authored by Murasaki Shikibu in the mid-Heian period, is an epic masterpiece spanning fifty-four chapters. Portraying the glory, sorrows, and destinies of Hikaru Genji and subsequent generations, it has been visualized across centuries in numerous illustrated scrolls (Genji-e).
On this site, you can view surviving masterpieces including the National Treasure 'The Tale of Genji Emaki' (Tokugawa and Gotoh versions) in a horizontal scrolling format. Enjoy Heian court aesthetics alongside chapter synopses and excerpts.
* Chapters with a scroll badge allow you to jump directly to the scroll viewer for depicted scenes.
- Chapter 5
wakamurasaki
わかむらさき1 scroll(s) - Chapter 15
yomogifu
よもぎふ1 scroll(s) - Chapter 16
sekiya
せきや1 scroll(s) - Chapter 36
kashihagi
かしはぎ1 scroll(s) - Chapter 37
yokobue
よこぶえ1 scroll(s) - Chapter 44
takekawa
たけかわ1 scroll(s) - Chapter 45
hashihime
はしひめ1 scroll(s) - Chapter 48
sawarabi
さわらび1 scroll(s) - Chapter 49
yadorigi
やどりぎ1 scroll(s) - Chapter 50
azumaya
あづまや1 scroll(s)