This portrait of court life in medieval Japan follows the life and exploits of the great Genji. Written by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady of the Japanese court, it provides an insider's view of Japanese court life. Art, clothing, and music illustrate the observations of authors Jane Smiley and Chiori Miyagawa in the documentary series Invitation to World Literature. Featuring a live performance by dancer/choreographer Saeko Ichinohe.

Part of the documentary film series Invitation to World Literature. Funded by the Annenberg Foundation. Explore classic texts from Asia: great epics, plays, poetry and other literary texts that have made their way around the world through time and translation, and still captivate audiences today.

Produced by the WGBH Educational Fund with Seftel Productions, 2010.

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Watch a trailer for the Invitation to World Literature series: