noun
Genji (character in The Tale of Genji)
Refers specifically to Hikaru Genji, the protagonist of the classic Heian-period novel Genji Monogatari.
源氏物語の主人公は光源氏、通称「源氏」と呼ばれる。
The protagonist of The Tale of Genji is Hikaru Genji, commonly called 'Genji'.
noun
Minamoto clan; Genji clan
One of the four great noble clans of the Heian period; often contrasted with the Taira (Heike) clan. In historical contexts, 源氏 refers to the entire lineage.
源氏と平家は、平安時代末期に争った。
The Minamoto and the Taira clans fought at the end of the Heian period.
From 源 (gen, 'source, origin') + 氏 (shi, 'family, clan'). The character name derives from the clan name, as the protagonist is a fictional son of the Emperor who was given the Minamoto surname.