The Tale of Genji Characters

The nun is Murasaki's grandmother and is also a relative of the bishop. She cares for Murasaki and attempts to stop Genji from taking custody of her, but her death prevents her from being successful in keeping Genji away. Genji finds the nun somewhat imposing and scary.

The nurse is a young woman who, prior to Genji hiring her as a nurse for the Akashi Lady's daughter, had a child with someone who wasn't trustworthy. Genji is sexually attracted to her and while the nurse reciprocates, she does as she's told and goes to Akashi.

The Lady of the Paulownia Court is Genji's mother. She's extremely beautiful and is the Emperor's favorite lover, but because she doesn't have any powerful female relatives, the other ladies at court torment her. Their jealousy makes her ill and she dies when Genji is three as a result.

The Paulownia Lady's Mother is Genji's grandmother. She expresses skepticism that the Emperor can actually protect Genji at court, given that the other ladies at court tormented her daughter, the Lady of the Paulownia Court, so much that she died.

Yugiri is Genji's son with Aoi. Because Aoi dies days after Yugiri's birth, Genji and the Minister of the Left think of Yugiri as a memento to remember Aoi by. He's a happy and active young child, and Genji visits often to attend to his education.

Yoshikiyo is one of Genji's attendants, and is also possibly in love with the Akashi Lady. He's instrumental in orchestrating Genji's move from Suma to Akashi and later, is jealous when he learns that the Akashi Lady is pregnant with Genji's baby.

Ukon is the serving lady of the Lady of the Evening Faces. She attempts to stand up to Genji at various points but is unable to do so. After the Lady of the Evening Faces dies, Genji brings Ukon to the palace against her will.

The Lady of the Locust Shell is the governor of Iyo's wife. Though she and Genji have a short-lived romantic relationship, she eventually refuses to see him.

Koremitsu's mother was one of Genji's childhood nurses. She implies that she loves Genji more than she loves her own children when Genji visits her in her old age.

The Korean Emissary visits Japan when Genji is a small child. Genji is already so obviously perfect that the emissary notes that Genji should be the father of the nation.

Myōbu is one of the Emperor's female messengers. She carries notes for him to the Paulownia Lady's mother.

Prince Hotaru is one of Genji's brothers. At the end of the novel, Genji asks him to act as umpire in the art critique contest.

The sage is a renowned healer who lives on a mountain outside of Kyoto. He cures Genji of malaria.

The governor of Iyo is an older man whose wife and daughter are lovers of Genji's.

The Gosechi Dancer is one of Genji’s lovers while he’s away in exile, though she never appears in person in the text. Genji effectively ends their relationship when he returns to the city.