Murasaki Shikibu Diary

A diary written in kana in the mid-Heian period. Murasaki Shikibu, who served Emperor Ichijo's Empress Shoshi (daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga), wrote down her experiences and impressions over a period of three years, from the autumn of 1008 (Kanko 5) to New Year in 10 (Kanko 7). It is not a daily record but a memoir, and is thought to have been completed around the autumn of 10. The majority of the diary is made up of entries from the latter half of 1008, and the entries from 1009 and 10 only contain descriptions of New Year's ceremonies. In between are descriptions that seem to be letters addressed to someone, and fragmentary entries with unknown dates, giving it a strange structure. There has been much debate over whether this is the original form of the diary, or whether the letters were mixed in from elsewhere, and a clear answer has yet to be reached. The purpose of writing it is also difficult to grasp.

The present diary begins with the scenery of the Tsuchimikado residence (Akiko's hometown residence) as the autumn colors deepen, and then goes on to describe the tension within the residence as the Empress gave birth, the long-awaited birth of a prince (Prince Atsushi, September 11, 1008), the subsequent pomp and circumstance surrounding the birth, Emperor Ichijo's visit, and the fifty-day celebration.The diary then moves the scene to the Imperial Palace as the Empress and Young Prince return to the Imperial Palace, and reports on the events there, contrasting this with Shikibu's own bitter inner self, which did not fit in with the splendor of the surroundings. In the news section, he freely writes about criticism of talented women such as his fellow ladies-in-waiting, Sei Shonagon, and Izumi Shikibu, a comparison of the temperament of Daisaiin (Imperial Princess Murakami Senshi) and the Empress's side, reflections on his own way of life, and thoughts of escaping the world, and in his final description of New Year's in the tenth year of the year, he concludes by impressing upon the ever-increasing prosperity of his master's family with the celebratory ceremonies at court following the birth of Prince Atsunaga (November 1909). With his penetrating powers of observation and understanding of human nature, this is a first-class piece of documentary literature, and is also valuable for revealing the true face and mental structure of the author of The Tale of Genji.

[Hiroshi Ito]

"Complete Commentary on the Diary of Murasaki Shikibu, Volumes 1 and 2, edited by Hagiya Boku (1971, 1973, Kadokawa Shoten)" "Akiyama Ken et al., eds., "A Comprehensive History of Japanese Language and Literature Research, Volume 5, Heian Diaries" (1978, Sanseido)" "Nakano Koichi et al., edited and translated, "Complete Translation of Japanese Classics 24, The Diary of Izumi Shikibu, The Diary of Murasaki Shikibu, The Diary of Sarashina" (1984, Shogakukan)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

平安中期の仮名日記。一条(いちじょう)天皇中宮彰子(しょうし)（藤原道長娘）のもとに出仕した紫式部が1008年（寛弘5）秋から10年（寛弘7）正月に至る足掛け3年の見聞や感想を記したもの。日次(ひなみ)の記ではなく回想録で、10年秋ごろに成ったとみられる。過半は08年後半の記事で占められ、09、10年の記事は正月の盛儀の描写があるだけで、この間に、だれかにあてた消息文を思わせる記述と、年時不明の断片的記述が入り込むという奇妙な構成をもつところから、これがそのまま日記の原形を伝えるものか、消息文的部分は他から紛れ込んだものかなどをめぐって論議が交わされ、いまだに明解を得ない。執筆目的もはっきりつかみにくい。

　現日記は秋色深まる土御門(つちみかど)邸（彰子の里邸）の景趣から筆をおこし、中宮出産を控えた邸内の緊張、待望の皇子誕生（敦成(あつひら)親王、1008年9月11日）、打ち続く産養(うぶやしない)の盛儀、一条天皇の行幸、五十日(いか)の祝宴と追い進め、中宮・若宮の内裏還啓(だいりかんけい)とともに舞台を宮中に移してその動静を伝え、周囲の華やぎになじまぬ式部自身の苦渋な内面をこれに対置する。消息文的部分では、同僚女房や清少納言(せいしょうなごん)・和泉(いずみ)式部など才女の批評、大斎院(だいさいいん)（村上皇女選子(せんし)内親王）方と中宮方の気風の比較、自己の生きざまへの反省や出離の思いなど自在に筆を運び、掉尾(とうび)の10年正月の記述では、敦良(あつなが)親王誕生（09年11月）に伴う宮中の盛儀に主家のいや増す栄華を印象づけて結んでいる。透徹した観察力と人間把握によって第一級の記録文学であるとともに、『源氏物語』作者の素顔と精神構造を開示するものとしても貴重である。

［伊藤　博］

『萩谷朴校注『紫式部日記全注釈』上下（1971、73・角川書店）』▽『秋山虔他編著『増補国語国文学研究史大成5　平安日記』（1978・三省堂）』▽『中野幸一他校注・訳『完訳日本の古典24　和泉式部日記・紫式部日記・更級日記』（1984・小学館）』

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