The Tale of Genji: Millennium Edition

In the Heian period, Lady Kiritsubo, who was deeply beloved by the Emperor, died shortly after giving birth to a prince. To protect him from court intrigues, the Emperor demoted him to commoner status and bestowed upon him the surname "Genji." Early on, Genji grew close to his father's consort, Lady Fujitsubo, because she resembled his deceased mother, but this eventually developed into romantic feelings. However, as Lady Fujitsubo was technically his stepmother, their relationship remained impossible despite her being only five years older. Tormented by this unattainable love yet unable to escape it, Genji spent his life pursuing ideal women resembling Lady Fujitsubo, wandering through romances with various women... Later, he discovered Murasaki-shikibu, Lady Fujitsubo's niece, who bore a striking resemblance to her aunt. He took her into his home and raised her to become the ideal woman of his dreams; she became known as Lady Murasaki. In his later years, at the request of his elder brother, Emperor Suzaku, Genji married Princess Onshi (the Third Princess), the daughter of Emperor Suzaku and Lady Fujitsubo's sister. This act broke Lady Murasaki's heart. The much younger Princess Onshi eventually had an affair and gave birth to a child. She ultimately entered religious life, and Lady Murasaki soon passed away due to illness. After experiencing these worldly trials, Genji also renounced secular life and became a monk.