Book Report: The Diary of Lady Murasaki Shikibu
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BOOK REPORT: THE DIARY OF LADY MURASAKI SHIKIBU
The author who brought to us The Tale of Genji, a novel now regarded as the first written novel in history, left behind an arguably more treasurable artifact: a diary that opens a window into history. The Diary of Lady Murasaki by Lady Murasaki Shikibu gives the reader a glimpse of the imperial court during eleventh century Japan and presents the past in an illuminated vision. Being an attendant in the imperial court, Lady Murasaki is frequently involved with the activities of elite Japanese women. Her day-to-day interaction with the nobles and elites enhance her account with the curious perspective of an elite female. As a woman, Lady Murasakis descriptions are oriented around clothing and appearance, and add a female touch to this historical record. This personal perspective introduces a new dimension to the themes within the diary since Lady Murasaki not only discusses life within the court, but also her own perception of customs, rivalries, and aesthetics. Her added insights create an illuminated vision that allows the reader to feel what it is like to be an inhabitant of the Heian court and to acquire a better understanding of the historical events within the era.
Lady Murasakis diary is influenced by eleventh century Heians experience of exchanging political power. The central state, which had always possessed the highest authority, was steadily losing control. By Lady Murasakis time, the court was completely dominated by one clan, the Fujiwara clan 1. At the centre of this absolute power is a man by the name of Fujiwara Michinaga, who, after competing in the earlier political struggle, emerged victorious through a network of marriage ties 1. His rise to power was realized when his daughter, Sh¬ōshi, was secured as Empress. It is under this entourage that Lady Murasaki, of a different and much less important branch of the Fujiwara, was introduced as a companion-cum-tutor for the Empress 2. Michinagas presence oppressed the Emperor making him nothing more than an iconic model. Richard Bowring quotes, “the Emperors daily existence was largely involved with ritual, and his links to the actual machinery of government were extremely tenuous” 1. This established hierarchy of power defines the language with which Lady Murasaki addresses her superiors. Murasaki refers to Fujiwara Michinaga as “His Excellency”, his daughter, the empress, as “Her Majesty”, and the emperor as “His Majesty” 3. With this hierarchy of control, it is not surprising that “His Majesty” is mentioned no more than half a dozen times, and that the focus is primarily on “Her Majesty” and “His Excellency”. This tone and courteousness suggests the rigid structure of a social hierarchy.
A strongly implicit point within The Diary of Lady Murasaki is social ranking. During the Heian era, power held by males is transferred only to males. Only by having intimate relationship or manipulating a male can women possibly have any recognition within the court. Lady Murasaki remarks this by noting how ecstatic she and the ladies-in-waiting were, to see that the newborn baby was a boy 4. Her, and the other ladies-in-waitings enthusiasm arose because the new prince is the embodiment of the hopes of the Fujiwara clan for the next generation. Michinaga also noted this, “all our hopes come true!” 5. It is unquestionable that in Lady Murasakis age, boys were preferred over girls, since boys were capable of continuing a familys bloodline and receiving power. Even Lady Murasakis father pitied the fact that Lady Murasaki was not born a man 6. Lady Murasakis mention of his fathers remark expresses the historical importance of heredity for the sake of power transfer.
Obsession with power in the past justifies behaviours within the rankings of men. Michinaga challenges past celebrations by stating that this celebration is marvelous above all others. This, as Lady Murasaki is quick to catch, is gratifying for Michinaga since he recognizes his own good fortune 7. By borrowing her daughters womb, Michinaga successfully became the grandfather of the emperor-to-be and secured control over the next generation. Therefore, because of womens role as child-bearers, women in the Heian times were considered to have quite an important role to play in politics. As Richard Bowring puts it, women were regarded as vital pawns, where their purpose was to deliver a boy to inherit the power and legacy of the family 8. In this sense, the Empress has a large amount of power. However, regardless of a womens position, there is always a male with a higher position – her father, the emperor etc. Even so, this is not to say that men are not dependent on women. This inescapable cycle of life and mens dependency on women is what grants women their power within the court.
With strict rules and regulations in place, positions within the court were the utmost in defining freedom of action and level of respect, even amongst nobles. During the seating for the fiftieth day celebrations, Lady Murasaki noted: “[the nobles] sat in order of rank from east of the main steps right around to the front of the side door. Then the ladies-in waiting who were sitting in rows of two or three facing them, went to their respective blinds” 9. Murasaki was personally not even close enough to see more 20. Even in average court issues such as attending a festivity, strict rules and regulations adhering to rank applies. Respect is also proportionate to the position one holds. In Sanenaris case, who is an Assistant Master of the Princes Household, he was ignored by Murasaki because he was not the Master of the household. It wasnt until the Master accompanied Sanenari that Murasaki gave her attention. To this, Sanenari expressed: “Understandable [] but nevertheless to be deplored” 21. Sanenaris line reveals the absoluteness of rank, but also his own distaste. Lady Murasaki expresses similar distaste: “Even those of us who mix with nobility are bound by rank. How very difficult!” 16. In Lady Murasakis time, social hierarchy and the significance of rank is the fundamental rule that defines order within society.
Rank does not apply only to males and nobilities; women too had their own social ranking. Aside from having personal relations to the emperor, such as the Empress and the Emperors personal ladies in waiting, other women had to express their positions with their appearance. To define appearance, most women try to express themselves through their clothes. Rank further comes to play in this since based on your social standing;