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Aoi - Heartvine |
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The Kamo festival was held on the birthday in the Forth Month. The older emperor's third daughter, whose mother was Kokiden, replaced the high priestess. Because of this alteration, the processions taking place were grander than usual. Genji was among the attendants. The roads were full of people and vehicles. The Rokujo lady had also come quietly to see the procession. But a latecomer took her place: it was Aoi's carriage. Aoi’s servants had broken the stools for her carriage shafts. She was filled with tears at that insult.
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On the following day, Genji decided to set out to view the festival with Murasaki. He went to her room in the west wing. Ladies were also preparing for the outing. He found that her hair was too long, so he summoned a doctor to check the Buddhist calendar to confirm whether the day was suitable for a haircut. Then he trimmed her hair himself. She stood on the Go plate to check the length of her hair. Since the quarrel over the carriage, the Rokujo lady spent the time restlessly. Rumors spread that her spirit or that of her father clung to Aoi-no-Ue. That was the malign spirit. She herself dreamed that her soul had indeed gone to Aoi and tortured her. She believed that your soul left your body when you one hated someone strongly. The odor of poppy seeds never vanished. On the following day, Genji decided to set out to view the festival with Murasaki. He went to her room in the west wing. Ladies were also preparing for the outing. He found that her hair was too long, so he summoned a doctor to check the Buddhist calendar to confirm whether the day was suitable for a haircut. Then he trimmed her hair himself. She stood on the Go plate to check the length of her hair. |
Kunisada, 1852 |
Since the quarrel over the carriage, the Rokujo lady spent the time restlessly. Rumors spread that her spirit or that of her father clung to Aoi-no-Ue. That was the malign spirit. She herself dreamed that her soul had indeed gone to Aoi and tortured her. She believed that your soul left your body when you one hated someone strongly. The odor of poppy seeds never vanished.
Kunichika, 1884 |
Aoi died too soon. This was only after she gave birth to a baby boy safely, which was a great relief to all the people. But she was again seized with the malign spirit and died. Even the old emperor sent a personal message. He received condolences from the crown prince and Fujitsubo. The crowds of mourners overwhelmed the wide crematory of Torinobe. It was late in the Eight Month and a quarter moon still hung. Returning to Sanjo, Genji lamented over the death of Aoi while contemplating the moon of the dawn. Genji passed his days at Sanjo mourning for his wife. He prayed earnestly, recalling over the past years they had spent together. He missed Murasaki. He went to bed alone and spent sleepless nights. In a late autumn misty dawn, a letter of sympathy was brought in, written on dark blue gray paper attached to a half opened bud of chrysanthemum. The hand was that of the Rokujo lady. As he had a horrible experience of facing her spirit at the death of Aoi, the letter appeared to him empty. |
Aoi died too soon. This was only after she gave birth to a baby boy safely, which was a great relief to all the people. But she was again seized with the malign spirit and died. Even the old emperor sent a personal message. He received condolences from the crown prince and Fujitsubo. The crowds of mourners overwhelmed the wide crematory of Torinobe. It was late in the Eight Month and a quarter moon still hung. Returning to Sanjo, Genji lamented over the death of Aoi while contemplating the moon of the dawn.
Genji passed his days at Sanjo mourning for his wife. He prayed earnestly, recalling over the past years they had spent together. He missed Murasaki. He went to bed alone and spent sleepless nights. In a late autumn misty dawn, a letter of sympathy was brought in, written on dark blue gray paper attached to a half opened bud of chrysanthemum. The hand was that of the Rokujo lady. As he had a horrible experience of facing her spirit at the death of Aoi, the letter appeared to him empty.
After forty-nine days, he left the minister's place and returned to his Nijo mansion. He found Murasaki had grown to be nearest to his ideal. Soon he married with Murasaki at the beginning of winter. The ceremony was not held, but only the nuptial seats were prepared on the third night of the wedding. No grand banquet followed, but the event was limited to just the two of them, which was extraordinary. Koremitsu himself prepared the sweets, which were delivered to the pillow of Genji by Shonagon and her daughter Ben.
Resumed by Mary Nagase. Published by UNESCO.© UNESCO 2000