The originality of Japanese literature

A whole series of paradoxes has given Japanese literature a unique place in the history of world culture. But its distinctiveness does not isolate it: we need only consider Lady Murasaki's The Tale of Genji⁽¹⁾ which dates from the beginning of the eleventh century and which is a delight to read, not only for specialists in classical Japanese literature or even just for lovers of things Japanese, but also for all who are interested in the structure of the novel, and, more generally, in psychological relationships as these can be depicted by a novelist.