The Tale of Genji : Translation, Canonization, and World Literature

Exploring iterations of the work from the 1830s to the 1950s, Michael Emmerich demonstrates how translations & the global circulation of discourse they inspired turned The Tale of Genji into a widely read classic, reframing not only our understanding of its significance & influence but also the processes that have canonized the text. In doing so, he supplants the passive concept of 'reception' with the active notion of 'replacement, ' revitalizing the work of literary criticism"--Provided by publisher.

Abstract: Tracing the canonization through translation of The Tale of Genji from the 1830s to the 1950s, Michael Emmerich rewrites the early modern & modern history of the work, illuminating the intricate process by which it came to be recognized as a classic of both Japanese & world literature.