Sagoromo Monogatari Zankan (ヘ12 5152)
When you hear the titles The Tale of Genji and The Tale of Sagoromo, how many people would say they are familiar with both? Of course, few people today have never heard of The Tale of Genji. But how many have actually read it? And when it comes to The Tale of Sagoromo, the other tale featured in this exhibition, the number of people who know it, let alone have read it, is surely much smaller.
Poster／Click to download the flyer (with backside in Japanese)
The Tale of Genji and The Tale of Sagoromo are among the most celebrated fictional narratives of the Heian period, often spoken of together as twin masterpieces. Their protagonists, Hikaru Genji and Sagoromo, likewise stand as two of the most iconic male heroes in classical Japanese literature.
Their close association can be seen throughout Japan’s literary tradition. For example, Fujiwara no Teika compiled the Genji Sagoromo Uta-awase, an anthology that arranges poems from both tales in the form of a poetic contest. Likewise, the Mumyōzōshi, a work of literary criticism dating from the early Kamakura period, praises The Tale of Sagoromo by remarking that “among works of fiction, it is regarded as second only to The Tale of Genji.”
Although The Tale of Genji and The Tale of Sagoromo are widely renowned today, they have not survived unchanged from the Heian period. Their continued existence is the result of generations of readers who copied manuscripts, added commentaries, illustrated scenes, and reproduced the texts through woodblock printing.
Sagoromo Monogatari Zankan (ヘ12 5152)
Another highlight of this exhibition is Sagoromo Monogatari Zankan (Fragments from The Tale of Sagoromo; ヘ12 5152), which will be presented to the public for the first time. To further investigate this long-preserved manuscript, radiocarbon dating has been conducted. The exhibition also introduces the results of this modern scientific analysis.
This exhibition showcases selected works from the Library’s collection, with a particular focus on The Tale of Genji and The Tale of Sagoromo.
We invite you to explore the many ways in which these tales have been disseminated and appreciated over the centuries.
In addition, on Saturday, September 26, during the exhibition period, the Heian Literature Research Association, which has generously supported this exhibition, will hold a symposium related to its themes.
Waseda University Library / Heian Literature Research Association
Dates & Venue
Dates: September 18 (Fri) ~ November 8 (Sun), 2026
Hours: 10:00~18:00 / 10:00~17:00 (Sundays)
Venue: Exhibition Room, Center for Scholarly Information, 2nd floor
- Admission Free. Visitors without a library card can enter, too.
- Short hours (~17:00): 9/19 (Sat), 9/26 (Sat), 11/5 (Thu)~7 (Sat)
- Closed on: 9/21 (Mon, holiday)~23 (Wed, holiday)
Genji Monogatari Emaki : Shiki Genji / Kanō, Yūsei (bunko30 B423)
List of Exhibit Materials
Virtual Museum
being prepared
