The World's Literature in Europe discussion

"...Autumn..."-before "Suma"

The author's and genji character's shared name Murasaki has some symbolism and associations.

Chapter 7 Momiji no ga, or "Autumn Excusion", or "Beneath the Autumn Leaves"

Eighteen- and nineteen-year-old Genji. Genji and Aoi's marriage is little related. Rather, his numerous other preoccupations are the story's focus. On New Year's Day, Genji stunningly sings and dances "Blue Sea Waves" in a procession's rehearsal. Genji and Her Highness Fujitsubo's secret, forbidden liaison produces a son, though the Emperor and everyone believe that Genji-look-alike Reizei is the Emperor's progeny. Genji and To no Chūjō engage in friendly rivalry over the Dame of Staff. In his planning for a successor, His Majesty respectively elevates Fujitsubo and Genji to Empress and Consultant to strengthen their royal ties.

Chapter 8 Hana no En (blossoming cherry tree party), or "Festival of the Cherry Blossoms", or "Under the Cherry Blossoms"

Genji twenty-years-old; Murasaki twelve-years-old.

The self-explanatory title refers to the celebratory parties in honor of nature's display. That takes the form of cherry blossoms, of autumn leaves, etc. Genji and other characters declaim poems, play musical instruments, and perform dances before the guests. Afterwards in the late night, thrill-seeking Genji enters the quiet palace of the Kokiden Consort and surprises Oborozukiyo, whose poem begets her nickname "lady of the misty moon". Not knowing her real name, Genji later devises a poetic ruse to discover her identity.

Chapter 9 Aoi, or "Heartvine", or "Heart-to-Heart"

Genji 22-23 years old; Murasaki 14-15 years old.

This line,

Never cause a woman to suffer humiliation...Treat each with tact and avoid provoking her anger.

That advice might have pertained to The Rokujō Haven. Her jealousy sent a malignant spirit to cause the death of her rivals. One, Genji's wife Aoi, dies after childbirth. Though their distant relationship had not been ideal, he sincerely grieves for her. Murasaki is more attractive than ever, and he formally marries her.

Chapter 10 Sakaki, or "Sacred Tree", or "The Green Branch"
("broadleaf evergreen tree of Shinto ritual)

Setting: around 946-67 CE.

Some characters:

Genji 23-24 (years old) and Commander of the Right (he combines worldliness and thoughtfulness);

The Rokujō Haven 30-32;
Her daughter High Priestess of Ise 14-16;

Asagao, Lady of the Bluebells.

Events:

G journeys outside the city to the Shrine on the Moor to visit Rokujō.

His Eminence (=G's and the Crown Prince's father) dies.

G leaves off most romantic affairs with the exception of Oborozukiyo and Her Majesty Fujitsubo. Experiencing first hand the reorganization of the court, Fujitsubo laments that

...little now remained of the court she had once known

and fears the new Emperor Mother's displeasure and the fate of her and Genji's secret son (and next Heir Apparent) Reizei.

In mourning, G journeys to Urin'in. At the temple, G contemplates monasticism.

G's journey and meditation parallels Fujitsubo's formal renunciation of the world. She is putting troubles behind her through prayer. The implication is that the smooth, lawful succession yet posed problems
for many of the court's characters.

Now out of favor, G stays at home rather than offering service at court. G and other learned characters hold a poetry rhymes contest.

G slips unseen at night into Oborozukiyo's boudoir, but a fierce thunderstorm awakens His Excellency's household and reveals his presence. The Empress Mother is fed up with G's continued irreverence of herself and her house and is intent on opposing Genji.

Chapter 11 Hanachirusato, or "Orange Blossoms", or "Falling Flowers"

Genji 25 years old

Hanachirusato=Reikeiden Consort's younger sister; =a village of falling flowers.

Nostalgia softens his present troubles with happier thoughts of the past. He goes visiting, but finds not Reikeiden's daughter but his late father's Consort herself, who commiserates with and listens to him. The text reiterates that Genji never forgets the women of his romantic adventures, though they might feel "lovelorn" from his long absences.

He seems to have cared forever for each of his loves...

His melancholy is also attributed to his loneliness.

People change so with the times that by now there are very few with whom I can share the past...

Besides the court and the poems, nature is frequent in the book. The serendipitous presence of a singing cuckoo out of the silence cheers him, just as the fragrant falling orange blossoms echo days past.

AsmahH wrote: "Chapter 8 Hana no En (blossoming cherry tree party), or "Festival of the Cherry Blossoms", or "Under the Cherry Blossoms"

Genji twenty-years-old; Murasaki twelve-years-old.

The self-explanatory ..."

In my book Kokiden's sister's name,Oborozukiyo, was not revealed in the chapter. And the chapter ended oddly in mid-sentence after Genji heard Oborozukiyo's voice again after the wisteria banquet: "It was the same voice. He was delighted. And yet---"
There are not many footnotes in the book. Most are just references to the poems.

Motheaten wrote: "..."It was the same voice. He was delighted. And yet--..."

The ending in Tyler is similar to that in Seidensticker

Yes, it was her voice. He was delighted, though at the the same time...

Tyler's footnote 27 (& my bracketed inclusions) for that ending of Chapter 8 says,

Oborozukiyo, the daughter of a political enemy [Minister of the Right; the Heir Apparent's grandfather], is promised to the Heir Apparent [not to Genji but to Suzaku the next emperor]. Besides, Genji already dislikes her family's shallow ostentation, and he may be disappointed by how easily she gave herself to him.

From the appendix, Oborozukiyo= 6th daughter of Minister of the R=sister of Kokiden=The lady of the misty moon=The Mistress of the Wardrobe=The Mistress of Staff=The Nijō Mistress of Staff.

AsmahH wrote: "Motheaten wrote: "..."It was the same voice. He was delighted. And yet--..."

The ending in Tyler is similar to that in Seidensticker
Yes, it was her voice. He was delighted, though at the the sa..."

Thanks for the footnote, it helps with clarification, especially when reading while tired.

So far the story seems modern for a 11th century book. It reminds me of those very long (40++ episodes) Chinese or Korean court dramas. Dramatic and soap opera-ish.

The theatrical elements are the elaborate, richly made costumes of Genji; the picturesque and poignant conversations with a dividing screen and a hint of colorful sleeves; the courtly propriety by contrast to Genji's many secret rendez-vous and intrigues; the social correspondence and speech in tanka poetry with its conjoining nature imagery with teary emotion; the exaggeration of perfect beauty, of great love and of Genji's generally acknowledged superior musical and other performances; and the magnitude of story-changing events such as Genji's lonely exile after the court succession and the long, fierce sea storms' disordering proper social relations and begetting frantic vows and prayers to Gods and divinities. All that seems very theatrical--beyond the norm of everyday life.