The Statue of Murasaki Shikibu in Uji

Along the quiet riverside of Uji, Kyoto, stands a bronze statue of one of the most important literary figures in Japanese history.
紫式部像 honors Murasaki Shikibu, the author of The Tale of Genji, written more than one thousand years ago during the Heian period.

For many people outside Japan, Murasaki Shikibu may not be immediately familiar.
Yet her work is often considered the world’s first psychological novel, and she is regarded as one of the greatest writers in Japanese cultural history.

The Tale of Genji does not focus on war or heroism. Instead, it explores emotion, memory, beauty, loneliness, relationships, and the passing of time with remarkable sensitivity. Even today, the atmosphere of Kyoto and Uji still feels connected to the world described in her writing.

The river.
The quiet light.
The changing seasons.

Standing beside the statue, it becomes easier to understand how deeply traditional Japanese culture values subtle emotion and impermanence. Unlike monuments created to celebrate power, this statue quietly honors literature, sensitivity, and observation. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why Murasaki Shikibu continues to resonate across centuries.

At BRONZE MUSEUM JAPAN, we are continually inspired by places where art, memory, and cultural history remain quietly alive.

BRONZE MUSEUM JAPAN

photo : Supervisor K