Murasaki Shikibu

Murasaki Shikibu (紫 式部, Inglis: Lady Murasaki) (c. 978 – c. 1014 or 1025) wis a Japanese novelist, poet an lady-in-waitin at the Imperial court during the Heian period. She is best kent as the author o The Tale o Genji, written in Japanese atween aboot 1000 an 1012. Murasaki Shikibu is a nickname; her real name is unkent, but she mey hae been Fujiwara Takako, who wis mentioned in a 1007 court diary as an imperial lady-in-waitin.

Murasaki Shikibu, depictit here writin at her desk at Ishiyama-dera inspired bi the Muin. 18t-century (Edo period) woodblock in the ukiyo-e style, bi Suzuki Harunobu, c. 1767.