The story takes place in ancient Japan. Genji is the son of the king. His mother is the king's favorite concubine. Genji's future is foretold by a Korean sage in a prophecy heralding Genji's bright future, but his mother's fate turns for the worst. She spends her last days in frivolous court cases, until finally she becomes ill and dies.
Genji is reduced to a low caste after the death of his mother. Genji's eldest half brother is named the heir. Genji is abandoned by his father. But, then as Genji ages, he become seriously handsome and talented, and he wins the approval of his community. Genji is successful with the lady-folk, but his first wife will be Aoi, To no Chujo's sister. She bears him a son, but Genji is distracted from his family by Murasaki (the author). The king dies, and another prince takes the throne. One day, the community ejects him for moral corruption because of his flippant behavior towards women.
When Genji returns to the capital many years later, his son Fujitsubo is being crowned as emperor. His familial status increases. After the change of fate, Genji decides to take on a pilgrimage to Sumiyoshi Shrine to thank the gods for his protection, especially for his protection during a storm around Suma. Genji helps rear the royal family, and he marries the "Third Princess," who bears him a child, but then leaves to pursue a life in the Buddhist clergy.
Then, in the land of Uji, in the mountains, Genji's family unfolds. Two of his grandsons are friends and foes, competing for the same girl. Genji's daughters stories are shared through small vignettes, but the most important of the short stories is the story of Genji's half-brother, the Eighth Prince, his life as a religious man, and the story of an evil villain named Ukifune.
