The Tale of the Lady Ochikubo : Ochikubo monogatari : a tenth-century Japanese novel

Written in the tenth century, this outstanding work is the earliest known Japanese novel, and as a landmark of literature comperable with The Tale of Genji. Lady Ochikubo is cruelly treated by her shrewish stepmother, who favours her own seven children and treats the girl as an unpaid seamstress. Despite many dificulties, a powerful nobleman marries Ochikubo, and as she and her husband become more and more influential, the stepmother's family come begging for favors.