Genji and Fujitsubo had made every effort to send Akikonomu, the former high priestess of Ise to the court to strengthen the position of Genji in the government. Therefore, Suzaku, the former emperor, was disappointed as he had been in love with her for long time. They would be a perfect couple as they were the same age. Imagining the feeling of Suzaku, Genji gave careful instructions to the superintendent for her marriage. He did not wish the Suzaku emperor to think that he was managing the girl's affairs.

The present emperor Reizei loved paintings. To amuse him, a contest of paintings was held between two parties in the court. On the left, the Plum Pavilion and Akikonomu faction had seated themselves wearing red robes and put all paintings in red boxes. On the right, the Kokiden faction in blue robes had lined up with their paintings in blue boxes. Genji and To-no-Chujo were present. Prince Hotaru acted as umpire. Although many famous paintings of the four seasons and Tsukinami were brought in, Prince Hotaru had not reached a final decision. Finally, the Suma scroll was offered by Genji, and that brought the victory to the left faction.