100px|Murasaki shown writing at her desk at Ishiyama-dera inspired by the Moon, [[ukiyo-e by Suzuki Harunobu, c. 1767]]

Murasaki Shikibu (c. 973 – c. 1014 or 1025) was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court during the Heian period. She is best known as the author of The Tale of Genji, written in Japanese between about 1000 and 1012. In about 1005, Murasaki was invited to serve as a lady-in-waiting to Empress Shōshi at the Imperial court, probably because of her reputation as a writer. She continued to write during her service, adding scenes from court life to her work. After five or six years, she left court and retired with Shōshi to the Lake Biwa region. Murasaki wrote The Diary of Lady Murasaki, a volume of poetry, and The Tale of Genji. Within a decade of its completion, Genji was distributed throughout the provinces; within a century it was recognized as a classic of Japanese literature, and had become a subject of scholarly criticism. Early in the 20th century her work was translated; a six-volume English translation was completed in 1933. Scholars continue to recognize the importance of her work, which reflects Heian court society at its peak. (more...)

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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1897:

Ranavalona III , the last sovereign ruler of the Kingdom of Madagascar, was deposed by a French military force. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranavalona_III

1935:

Working with polyamides to developing a new viable fiber for the chemical company DuPont, American chemist Wallace Carothers invented nylon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallace_Carothers

1972:

U.S. President Richard Nixon's visit to the People's Republic of China concluded with the two countries issuing the Shanghai Communiqué, pledging to work toward the full normalization of diplomatic relations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1972_Nixon_visit_to_China

1985:

The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army launched a mortar attack on a Royal Ulster Constabulary station in Corry Square, Newry, Northern Ireland, killing nine. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985_Newry_mortar_attack

1997:

In what has been has viewed as a "postmodern coup", the Turkish Military leadership issued a memorandum that eventually precipitated the retirement of Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_military_memorandum_%28Turkey%29

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

kettle of fish (n): 1. An awkward situation; a predicament. 2. A situation which is recognized as different from or as an alternative to some other situation, and which is not necessarily unfavorable http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/kettle_of_fish

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Science cannot be stopped. Man will gather knowledge no matter what the consequences — and we cannot predict what they will be. Science will go on — whether we are pessimistic, or are optimistic, as I am. I know that great, interesting, and valuable discoveries can be made and will be made… But I know also that still more interesting discoveries will be made that I have not the imagination to describe — and I am awaiting them, full of curiosity and enthusiasm. --Linus Pauling http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Linus_Pauling