The story is about a boy named Genji, son of the Emperor of Japan, and his various activities and problems. This once again gives an insight into court life in medieval Japan and also what people considered attractive in a person. Genji is constantly described as a near-perfect man, and since the book was very popular in its time, it can also be said that it described what many people considered to be the perfect man. If people did not agree with many things in the book, it would not have become as popular because it would be an inaccurate portrayal of human life. The role of women in life while waiting and the flirtatious ways of men became very evident throughout the book. Religion and proper action played a role in the novel and Genji often refrained from doing things because it would be wrong for him to do so. Prayers and rituals are also described (but not in great detail), showing that they still had a place in life (even if not a very big one). The work was still very idealized and somewhat fanciful due to the perfection of Genji and some of the