紫式部
Murasaki Shikibu (Lady Murasaki) (c. 973 – c. 1014 or 1025) was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the [[Heian]] period. Murasaki Shikibu is a nickname; her real name is unknown, but she may have been one Fujiwara no Takako, who was mentioned in a 1007 court diary as an imperial lady-in-waiting. 

She was charged into the service of second empress consort [[fujiwara_no_shoushi|Shoushi]], and was involved in a prominent rivalry with [[Sei Shounagon]], lady-in-waiting to first empress consort [[fujiwara_no_teishi|Teishi]]. 

Murasaki is considered a major pioneer in world literature for having written the earliest known novel, [i]Genji monogatari[/i] (源氏物語, [i]The Tale of Genji[/i]), between about 1000 and 1012. Other writings include her own diary (not written in the [i]zuihitsu[/i] style of Sei's [i]Pillow Book[/i], as she did not approve of it), and a book of poetry. 

h4. External links

* "Wikipedia article":https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murasaki_Shikibu
murasaki shikibu (kimi no tame nara shineru)