Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973–c. 1014 or 1025) was a Japanese writer, poet, and court lady of the mid-Heian period, best known for her novel "The Tale of Genji".
“The Tale of Genji”
Murasaki Shikibu, whose real name is unknown, was born into the Fujiwara clan, a small aristocracy but renowned among the literary world. Contrary to the customs of the time, her mother having died when she was young, she lives with her father. During her youth, she took advantage of the teachings intended for her brother, learning Chinese, literature, calligraphy and Japanese poetry.
In 998, Murasaki married Nobutaka Fujiwara, a much older friend of her father and a court official. They have a daughter the following year, but Nobutaka dies in 1001 during a cholera epidemic. After the death of her husband, depressed by loneliness, she begins to write "The Tale of Genji" . She distributes chapters to passing friends who in turn distribute them, and thus carves out a literary reputation.
Lady at court
No doubt thanks to this reputation, Murasaki Shikibu became a lady at court where she entered the service of one of the two empresses-consort of Emperor Ichijō, Shōshi. Murasaki does not seem to have enjoyed life at court, but she ended her work there.
When the emperor died in 1011, Shōshi retired from court, accompanied by Murasaki. According to the sources, the poetess died in 1014 or 1025.
She leaves "The Tale of Genji" , a novel considered a masterpiece of Japanese literature, a diary and a collection of 128 poems.