Question

In what language was the very first fictional novel written?

Answer 1

Was the novel written in hiragana?

Answer 2

The very first fictional novel is a subject of debate among scholars, as the concept of a novel itself evolved over time. However, many consider "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu, written in the 11th century, as one of the earliest known novels. It was written in classical Japanese.

Answer 3

"The Tale of Genji" was not written in hiragana. It was written in a combination of kanji (Chinese characters) and hiragana, which was common for works during that time. The use of kanji was prevalent for more formal or complex expressions, while hiragana was used for grammatical elements and to provide readings for difficult or less commonly used kanji characters.