As one step in the dissemination of The Tale of Genji overseas, an exhibition and talks were held on the theme of "The Tale of Genji and Japanese Culture - The World of The Tale of Genji Restored to Modern Times -” at the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris in France. With the aim of allowing visitors to appreciate The Tale of Genji with the five senses, the exhibition included items of beautiful attire modeled on the seasons of Japan worn by princesses who appear in The Tale of Genji, exhibits of items such utensils used to prepare and burn incense and electric incense burners presented by the sponsor, NipponKodo and folding screens depicting scenes from The Tale of Genji. The many visitors to the exhibition included local French residents and Japanese people living in France, who enjoyed being able to view attire at close quarters and experiencing the fragrance of “Kurobo” incense that appears in The Tale of Genji.
The talk on February 8 began with a lecture on incense in The Tale of Genji by Sanjonishi Gyosui, head of the Oie-ryu School of Kodo, followed by a demonstration of a Genji-ko ceremony by the Society for research on Kodo with commentary by Mr. Sanjonishi. In addition to a demonstration with Genji-ko ceremony on the stage, the incense burner was also passed around the audience so that everyone could experience the fragrance, giving the talk even greater appeal. In addition, the exhibition of attire in the second half featured a performance by the Society for Research on Manners and Etiquette and an introduction by Takakura Eika, the head of the Takakura School of Emondo to subjects such as the history of changes in attire and the relationship between the Takakura School of Emondo and Murasaki Shikibu, followed by a demonstration of dressing in a twelve-layered ceremonial kimono staged by students from the Society for research on Manners and Etiquette. As well as the performance by the students, a presentation of differences between the twelve-layered ceremonial kimono of olden days and modern times rounded off what was a gorgeous exhibition, earning high praise for its appeal in responses to questionnaires completed by visitors.
(Exhibition dates: From February 2 through 16, 2020: Date of talk: February 8, 2020)

The Classics Day Promotion Committee and Jissen Women’s University signed a partnership agreement in April 2019. Based on the agreement, “Enjoying The Tale of Genji with the Five Sense” was staged jointly in November at the Toyokan Hall of the Jissen Joshi Gakuen Junior & Senior High School as the Classics Day 10th Anniversary Forum in Tokyo 2019 (November 19, 2019).
Among the seven hundred participants, Master of ancient Japanese court music Hideki Togi, Masataka Hata, president of the Shoyeido Incense company of Kyoto and textile dyer Sarasa Yoshioka, who has inherited the tradition of using natural plant-derived dyes, each gave a talk, enabling the audience to enjoy a sensual experience of the culture and lifestyle depicted in The Tale of Genji through the music, fragrances and colors of the times.

“The Tale oB19:B21m was held on December 12, 14 and 15. The talks by researchers on the first day revolved around the forefront of research on The Tale of Genji and included a lecture by university professor Takashi Yokoi on the future development of research on The Tale of Genji, a presentation by Professor Emeritus Tatsuya Enami, an expert on writing paper examination, and researcher Shirato on subjects such as the front line of writing paper examination and its relation to research on The Tale of Genji and a talk by Professor Dennis Washburn, an American researcher of The Tale of Genji from Dartmouth College.
On the second day, not only researchers, but also authorities in various fields of traditions handed down through the ages such as Yohei Izutsu, representative of a company that handles attire, Sanjonishi Gyosui, head of the Oie-ryu School of Kodo and Hosho Kazufusa, head of the Hosho School of Noh gave talks on the relationship of traditional culture with The Tale of Genji and the future of traditional culture.
The event was an enormous success with members of the audience sometimes standing to see, renewing awareness of the degree of interest in The Tale of Genji.

(1) Research on The Tale of Genji by Utako Shimoda
“New Century of Dialog with Different Civilizations – Jissen Forum of Research on “The Tale of Genji”” (2001)
(2) The Tale of Genji Millennium
“The Tale of Genji Millennium Commemorative Lecture Meeting” (2008)
(3) The Essence of the Palace "Kyutei-no-Hana"
“The Essence of the Palace "Kyutei-no-Hana" – The Tale of Genji” (2014)
(4) Tradition of Research on The Tale of Genji
“Open Lecture of How to enjoy The Tale of Genji” (2017)