The Tale of Genji (12)

"The Tale of Genji" is a romantic novel set in Heian and its environs sometime around the 10 century that traces the private life of a noble, Hikaru Genji, and his progeny. The original holograph of the story, believed to have been written around 1008 by a court lady called Murasaki Shikibu, is no longer extant. The text accepted as the most complete is the Kamakura-era "Aobyoushibon" (Blue-covered book) written out by Fujiwara-no Teika (1162-1241). By Teika's time the novel's present form of 54 titled chapters was set. The tale has been not only the most quoted piece of Japanese literature but has also served as an inexhaustible source of inspiration for pictorial artists from soon after its completion.

The Tale of Genji necklaces and chokers made by Iwato Yohei, set of 12