Otome - The Maiden |
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Genji thought that Yugiri should go to the university to become a minister of state. So he put him in the sixth rank of the university, which surprised people who had expected that Yugiri would be promoted rapidly. Genji had a strong intention to promote the solid education of knowledge. Genji conducted mock examinations the day before the exam, inviting tutors to attend. Yugiri studied hard and passed the test for formal commencement of studies within six months. Genji was satisfied with Yugiri’s result.
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Kuniyoshi, 1845/46 |
Genji was this year to provide a dancer for the Gosechi dances at the harvest festival, in the Eleventh month. The prettiest and talented girls were selected for the Lord's inspection. Genji ordered a final rehearsal for the presentation at court. He had chosen one of Koremitsu's daughters among them. The glimpse of Koremitsu's daughter had excited Yugiri. He delivered her a love letter, which amused Koremitsu. The new grand Rokujo mansion was finished. Lady Murasaki, Akikonomu, the lady of orange blossoms and Lady Akashi moved in. Genji lived with Murasaki in the southeast quarter, where spring blossoming trees and bushed were planted in large number. The hills were high and the lake was most ingeniously designed. Planted in the forward parts of the garden were cinquefoil pines, maples, cherries, wisteria, yamabuki and rock azalea, most of them spring season trees and shrubs. Touches of autumn too were scattered through the grove. |
The southwest quarter was assigned to Akikonomu. For her mother, Lady Rokujo had once lived there. The hills, preserved from the old garden, were chosen for their rich autumn colors. Clear spring water went singing off into the distance, over rocks designed to enhance the music. There was a waterfall, and the whole expanse was a wild profusion of autumn flowers and leaves. The beauty of falling leaves exceeded that of the mountains of Sagano, a reputed place for autumn sight seeing.
The lady of orange blossoms lived in the northeast quarter. A cool natural spring and shadow of trees were designed to give the image of a summer town. In the forward parts of the garden the wind blowing through thickets of Chinese bamboo would be cool in the summer, and the trees were as deep as mountain groves. There was a hedge of mayflower as well as oranges, wild carnations, roses and gentians to remind of days long ago, and a few spring and autumn flowers too. Here, the lady of orange blossom took care of Yugiri and Tamakazura.
A part of the northeast quarter was fenced off for equestrian grounds. Because the Fifth Month would be its liveliest time, there were irises along the lake, from where people could enjoy horse races and equestrian archery. On the far side were stables where the finest horses would be kept. A Lady Akashi lived in the northwest quarter. Beyond artificial hillocks to the north were rows of warehouses, screened off by pines, which would be beautiful in new falls of snow.
Resumed by Mary Nagase. Published by UNESCO.© UNESCO 2000