Date of Issue : 22 Sep 2008
Postmark : Kyoto
Denomination : 4 x 80 yen
Stamp Size : 45 mm x 33 mm
Printing Process : Photogravure
The Tale of Genji was written during early 11th century by the noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. Written in archaic language, this classic work of Japanese literature is a unique depiction of the lifestyles of high courtiers during the Heian period. It was not until the early 20th century that Genji was translated into modern Japanese by the poet Akiko Yosano. This issue of ten stamps, celebrating the millenium of this literature, features illustrated handscrolls from various chapters in the Tale of Genji, out of which four are shown in this cover – Yūgiri (Chapter 39 – Evening Mist), Kashiwagi (Chapter 36 – The Oak Tree), Yadorigi (Chapter 49 – The Mistletoe) and Sawarabi (Chapter 48 – Sprout).