Murasaki Shikibu

American  

[moo-rah-sah-kee shee-kee-boo] / ˈmu rɑˈsɑ ki ˈʃi kiˌbu /

noun

1. Lady, 978?–1031?, Japanese poet and novelist.

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Murasaki Shikibu British  

/ ˌmʊərɑːˈsɑːkiː ˈʃiːkiːˌbuː /

noun

1. 11th-century Japanese court lady, author of The Tale of Genji, perhaps the world's first novel

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Example Sentences

The rivals in question are Sei Shōnagon and Murasaki Shikibu.

From Seattle Times • May 10, 2024

Widely considered the world’s first novel, Genji was composed in the eleventh century by Murasaki Shikibu, a noblewoman and lady-in-waiting in the Heian Court.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

She became known as Lady Murasaki Shikibu, after her book’s main female character and Genji’s great love.

From New York Times • May 23, 2019

Oh, and it was written by a woman, Murasaki Shikibu.

From The New Yorker • Apr. 19, 2019

The authoresses of the two masterpieces, both court ladies living in the eleventh century of our era, were Murasaki Shikibu and Seisho Nagon.

From Oriental Women by Pollard, Edward Bagby