The Tale of Genji Characters

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Emperor Kiritsubo

Emperor Kiritsubo loves his consort Lady Kiritsubo. After the death of his concubine, the emperor marries Princess Fujitsubo, who looks very similar to Lady Kirirtsubo. Although the emperor is unable to support Genji, he adores Genji more than the Crown Prince.

Prince Genji

Prince Genji is the main protagonist of the novel. He is the son of Emperor Kiritsubo and his beloved consort Lady Kiritsubo. Genji is both charming and talented. Because of Genji’s increasing popularity, Lady Koikiden (Main concubine) has distaste for him. As a result, the emperor removes Genji's name from the line of succession and gives him the status of a commoner with the name of Minamoto.

Lady Fujitsubo

Lady Fujitsubo is a consort of Emperor Kiritsubo. Both the Emperor Kiritsubo and Genji are attracted to Lady Fujitsubo because of her peculiar resemblance to Lady Kiritsubo. She falls in love with Genji and this results in the birth of a child, Reizie. Although Genji is the real father of Lady Fujitsubo’s son, everyone believes that Emperor Kiritsubo is the father of Reizie.

Lady Murasaki

Lady Murasaki is a relative of Lady Fujitsubo, whose face is so similar to Lady Fujitsubo because of this reason, Genji kidnaps the girl to raise and mold her into his desirable woman. Genji marries Murasaki after his main wife dies but she can not become his main wife because of her low rank.

Lady Aoi

Lady Aoi is the daughter of the Minister of the Left. She is the main wife of Genji. He doesn’t love her and she is hurt by her husband's multiple love affairs. After some time they reconcile and Aoi becomes pregnant. Lady Aoi experiences spirit possession during her pregnancy and after giving birth to her son Yugiri, she dies.

Lady Kokiden

Lady Kokiden is the daughter of the influential Minister of the Right and the main concubine of Emperor Kiritsubo. She is jealous of the emperor’s love for Lady Kiritsubo and Genji. Lady Kokiden wants her son Suzaku to become the next emperor so she plots against Genji and sends him into exile at Suma. Her plan fails miserably when Fujitsubo arrives into the palace and becomes successful in getting her son Reizei next in line to the throne and the title of the Empress.

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