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

Murasaki Shikibu was a lady of noble birth.

From Oriental Women by Pollard, Edward Bagby