Tokonatsu - Wild Carnations

It was a very hot day. Genji was cooling himself with his son Yugiri in the angling pavilion of the southeast quarter. Several of To-no-Chujo’s sons came over. "You came at a very good time", said Genji. "I was feeling bored and sleepy". Fresh fishes from the West River and Kamo River were brought in and cooked in front of Genji. He was amused with the gossip of their father who recently had found his stray daughter, called Omi-no-kimi. As the sons thought that it did not bring honor to their father or to the family, they seemed uncomfortable. Genji was angry that To-no-Chujo had prevented the love of his son Yugiri for his daughter Kumoinokari. Offering wine, ice water and rice, he made fun of Chujo.

To-no-Chujo went to Kumoinokari’s room unannounced. She was napping, very small and pretty, and managing to look cool in her single gossamer robe. Her head was cradled on one arm. The hair that flowed behind her in natural tresses was neither too long nor too thick, but was neatly cut. She looked up at him as he tapped with his fan, her eyes round, and the flush that came over her face delighted him. He lectured her to be vigilant even in her room and forbade her to see Yugiri.