One rainy night, the protagonist of this novel joins three friends in discussing the nature of women, in what is one of the first literary depictions of male bonding.  
One rainy night, the protagonist of this novel joins three friends in discussing the nature of women, in what is one of the first literary depictions of male bonding.  The last third of this novel concentrates on the protagonist's grandson Niou and his friend Kaoru's love triangle.  He is kept away from his true love Fujitsubo and when he finally does make love with her, he has a son that is believed to be the emperor's.   For ten points, name this early Japanese novel considered to be the world's first, the work of Lady Murasaki Shikibu.
One rainy night, the protagonist of this novel joins three friends in discussing the nature of women, in what is one of the first literary depictions of male bonding.  
The Tale of {Genji} (accept {Genji monogatari})