A Woman's Weapon

In this subtle and highly original reading of Murasaki Shikibu's 11th-century classic The Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari), Bargen explores the role of possessing spirits (mono no ke) from a female viewpoint. In several key episodes of the Genji, Heian noblewomen (or their mediums) tremble, speak in strange voices, and tear their hair and clothing while under the spell of mono no ke. For literary critics, Genji, the male protagonist, is central to determining the role of these spirits. From this