Man-Pai / Genji Ch.7 - Momiji no ga

Momiji no ga - Autumn Outing

In the Middle of the Tenth Month, there was a royal excursion to the Suzaku Palace. It was the 50th birthday celebration for Ichi-in, who was the Emperor's father. Music came from boats decorated as various sized dragons, which were rowed out over the lake. People danced to a variety of Chinese and Korean songs. Most admirable flutists were selected when Genji and To-no-Chujo danced the "Wave of the Blue Ocean" together. The dancing was held among the falling leaves, whose beauty frightened the people.

Kuniyoshi, 1845/46

On New Year's Day, on his way to the morning festivities at court, Genji went to the west wing to see Murasaki. She had already taken out her dolls. When Genji asked, "As New Year comes, do you feel grown up?" she answered, "Inuki has broken this, I am repairing it". Inuki was the girl who had let the sparrow out. The nurse, Shonagon, told her, "This year you must try to be more grown up. You should not play with dolls after the age of ten". Murasaki still looked childish.

The Emperor showed off his new born baby saying that he resembled Genji very much. Genji had a mixed feeling of fear, awe and pleasure. He returned to Nijo and calmed down in his room. It was early summer and the garden was full of wild carnations in full bloom. He broke off a few of them and sent them to Fujitsubo with a poem saying that the paper was weighted with his tears as with the dew of wild carnations.

The emperor enjoyed the company of pretty women in his court. All the court ladies around him were talented and charming. There was a rather old lady called Naishi. She was wellborn and cultivated, but at the same time very indiscriminate towards love. When Genji had made a joke about her, she became serious. One day when she had finished dressing the emperor's hair she found herself alone with Genji. He tugged on her apron. She gave him a sidelong glance that was hidden behind a gaudy fan.

One evening in the cool after a shower, Genji was strolling past the Ummeiden Pavilion. Naishi was playing attractively on her lute. Genji passed a joyful time with her. Taking a little bit of rest, Genji suspected someone was entering. Gathering his clothes, he hid behind a screen. A man roared in wielding a sword. It was To-no-Chujo. Though Naishi was trembling, it appeared to be pretence. As Naishi was a woman of the world, she must have had a similar experience before.