The Heian and Kamakura periods saw the development of a diverse and sophisticated literary tradition in Japan. Japanese authors addressed a wide variety of subjects, drawing inspiration from sources such as Buddhism, daily life, and older oral traditions. Largely written by and for the wealthy, the literature of this period reflected the values, experiences, and beliefs of the Japanese elite. This is not to say, however, that medieval Japanese literature presented a single perspective. Court aristocrats lived very different lives than provincial warrior elites, and elite women, although often powerful, did not share the same experiences and status as their fathers, husbands, brothers, and sons. The two excerpts included here exemplify this point. The first, from The Tale of Genji, offers an elite woman’s perspective on marriage. The second, from The Tale of the Heike, sheds light on experiences and feelings of the male warrior elite. As you read the passages, pay particular attention to the values and beliefs that the characters espouse. What values and beliefs do the characters in both tales share? What might explain the most important differences you note?