Photo= A folding screen depicting scenes from the Tale of Genji (The Tale of Genji Museum, Uji, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture)

An exhibition titled "Murasaki Shikibu and the Tale of Genji," approaching the achievement and legend of Murasaki Shikibu, is being held at the Tale of Genji Museum, Uji, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture. Other specials include a discounted admission fee in cooperation with the cultural tourist facility "Shigureden," in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, which currently has a special exhibition introducing "Waka," or 31-syllable Japanese poems, and other pieces by Murasaki Shikibu. The organizations aim to boost the autumn sightseeing season from the theme of "Murasaki Shikibu."

The project is sponsored by Uji City Board of Education and Ogura Hyakunin Isshu Cultural Foundation, which manages the hall "Shigureden." This is the first time the two organizations have worked together.

The museum's exhibition introduces paintings, a stone monument erected for the repose of her soul, Noh plays and others, focusing on various legends of Murasaki Shikibu, about whose life is still largely unknown. Items being shown include some manuscripts with illustrations and commentaries which became popular from the Edo Period onward and a guidebook "Meisho-zue" which describes the grave. This highlights the strong attachment people feel toward Murasaki Shikibu.

A total of 90 works are on exhibit. Works shown are "Genji Monogatari-zu Byobu," or folding screen with pictures from the Tales of Genji, "Kogetsusho," or a commentary on the Tale of Genji, both of which made in the Edo Period, photo displays of the Muromachi Period "Ishiyama-dera Engi Emaki," or a scroll painting in which Murasaki Shikibu viewing the moon is depicted, and other exhibits. The folding screens will be changed during the exhibition period. The exhibition continues until November 29.

The Shigureden is introducing women poets in "Murasaki Shikibu to Joryu Kajin-tachi," or Murasaki Shikibu and other women poets, which continues until December 23. The women poets, including Murasaki Shikibu, were selected for "Hyakunin-isshu," or a set of one hundred poems by one hundred poets.

Admission fees for both are discounted by the museum's exhibition brochure or Shigureden's ticket stub. They are closed on Mondays, or on Tuesdays when Monday is a national holiday. Both museums said expectantly, "We want this project to be an opportunity for people to become familiar with classics generally." For more information, call the Tale of Genji Museum at 0774-39-9300.