Murasaki Shikibu

Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973–c. 1014) was a Japanese novelist, poet, and lady-in-waiting at the imperial court during the Heian period. She is best known for The Tale of Genji, a sprawling work of prose and poetry that follows the life and loves of Prince Genji. Written in the early 11th century, it is widely regarded as the world's first psychological novel, offering deep insight into court life, aesthetics, and human emotion. Murasaki also left a diary and a collection of poems. Her precise birth and death dates are unknown, but her literary legacy endures as a cornerstone of Japanese classical literature and a global masterpiece.