The hero of the story, Genji is the son of Kiritsubo Emperor and a low-ranking Intimate concubine, Lady Kiritsubo. The Emperor cares for Genji’s mother deeply, and earlyon Genji displays remarkable physical beauty and charm. In order to keep his son close to him, the Emperor eventually demotes Genji to a commoner (surname: Minamoto), so that he may not be shunned as a prince of a low-status mother, and so Genji can also avoid causing any major political upheavals for the realm, were he kept a royal.

Throughout the book, Genji is praised for his brilliance, talent, sensitive heart, and handsomeness, and thus earns the nickname the “Shining Prince.” He is consistently praised, forgiven, and admired, both by the narrator and by most characters he encounters in his youth. Genji rises to power despite his mother’s lowly rank, and becomes a beloved member of court partially due to his irresistible appearance and personality. Yet he eventually begins several love affairs, despite his marriage to Aoi. The book chronicles his relationships with multiple women, many simultaneously, through his young-adult years.

Though the narrator conveys Genji as sensitive to all his dalliances, his need for adventure and romantic complications eventually cause his temporary exile.