The Changelings: a classical Japanese court tale

Novel from the late Heian period set in the Imperial court.

Translation of: Torikaebaya monogatari. This late Heian period novel relates the story of a sister and a brother who are cross-gendered. The sister passes as a man and serves at the Imperial court as “Chūnagon (Middle Counselor)” and even marries a lady, Yon no Kimi. In this section (pages 44-45), Chūnagon’s friend Saishō consummates his love for Yon no Kimi, the woman with whom Chūnagon maintains a chaste marriage.

Willig, Rosette F., translated, with an introduction and notes.

Stanford University Press (Stanford, Calif.)

1983