《源氏物语》中《末摘花》之章与平安时期的宫廷生活（下篇）(8)

Some authors argue that The Tales of Genji actually depicts a less accurate image of Heian aristocratic life, being more idealized. And although I acknowledge it is a novel intended to be entertaining and aesthetically appealing, with embellishments and portrayals of the highlights of culture, it is still written from the lens of a woman actively engaged in this society. Therefore, as shown through the chapter “The Safflower”, I maintain that The Tales of Genji shows an accurate picture of Heian culture and aesthetics, without the political framework involved.
Upon writing this paper, I have learned many things about the Heian society. The luxurious and artistic aesthetical environment of the time period has always been highly appealing to me. However, I had an opportunity to closely read parts of The Tales of Genji and develop a deeper understanding of the overall tone and culture of the society itself. Although knowing historical events is important to understanding history, I also believe these cultural aspects are vital for understanding a time period; without them, it is hard to get a sense of what life was actually like. They provide a color to the society and a deeper understanding of the mindset of the people. This, in turn, helps clarify certain historical events that may only be recorded factually, giving a wider range of perspective about what happened. Further, works like The Tales of Genji help to show how a society used to be and how the culture has grown over the years. Japanese society now tends to hold onto values such as subtlety and being able to analyze a situation through indirect means. Therefore, The Tales of Genji and will remain a vital text to exploring and understanding the Heian Period of Japan