Murasaki Shikibu

Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973–1014 or 1025) was a lady-in-waiting in the Heian court and the author of _The Tale of Genji_, which is considered the world’s first psychological novel. Her detailed portrayal of Heian court life and her exploration of human emotions through complex characters established her as one of the greatest writers in Japanese literature. Murasaki was highly educated, fluent in classical Chinese and Japanese, and a skilled poet and calligrapher. Her literary innovations in characterization and psychological depth influenced Japanese literature for centuries.</p