The Tale Of Genji

The social importance of maintaining and creating beauty—both physical appearance and artistic beauty—is an undercurrent in The Tale of Genji.

Regarding physical attractiveness, a character’s beauty is often conveyed as an external extension of innate merit, internal substance, and therefore worthy of the readers’ affections, as well. Part of Genji’s ability to rise above his low rank is due to his handsomeness in early life, from his very first months of life: “He [the Emperor] had the child brought in straightaway […] and he was astonished by his beauty” (5). The connection between good looks and higher quality of spirit is referenced several times throughout the book. The Kokiden Consort, after watching Genji dance at a celebration for the Emperor, enviously comments on Genji’s beauty as representation of a connection to the heavens: “With those looks of his, the gods above must covet him” (129).

The artistic beauty a person is able to bring into the world is also conveyed as a reflection of a person’s higher value. Demonstrated during several festivities in the story, such as Genji’s dancing in the above quote, the relationship between personal merit and talent in creating beauty is noted in many other everyday events, too.