The Light and Darkness of Murasaki Shikibu and Michinaga. The author, who has devoted himself to The Tale of Genji for 50 years, delves into the secrets of this story that has been read for a thousand years from various angles. This comprehensive guidebook, "something you've never seen before," is enjoyable for both new readers and enthusiasts! 67 paintings and photographs are featured in the color frontispiece and main text! ・Uncovering many hidden highlights of the story ・Explaining the unique features of each translation to help you choose a modern translation ・Exploring the mystery of Murasaki Shikibu's relationship with Michinaga and why she created this masterpiece ・Packed with reference information on Heian period marriage systems, architecture, beliefs, and more ・Suggesting ways to enjoy the book that expand to related literary works, Noh, paintings, and more ・Guiding visitors to places associated with the story through the author's travelogue and photographs ・Includes a genealogy of the characters, a chronology, a bibliography, and a convenient index ・67 paintings and photographs are featured in the color frontispiece and main text!