Hikaru Genji

Hikaru Genji (光源氏?) is the protagonist of Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji. In the story, he is described as a superbly handsome man. Genji is the second son of an emperor, but he is delegated to civilian life for political reasons and lives as an imperial officer.

The first part of the story concentrates on his romantic life, and in the second, he and others' internal agony is depicted. He appears from the first volume "Kiritsubo" to the 40th volume "Illusion".

"Genji" is the surname as a noble demoted from royalty. His true given name is never referred to in the story, like most other characters. "Hikaru" means "shining", which is a nickname deriving from his appearance. He is also referred to in the book as Rokujō no In (六条院?), sometimes abbreviated as In (院?). He is often called Genji when speaking of the story.

He is a fictitious person but it is thought the author was inspired by some historical figures, including Minamoto no Tōru, who was a grandson of Emperor Saga, hence one of the Saga Genji clan.