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Makibashira - Cypress Pillar |
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Unexpectedly, Tamakazura married the black bearded General Higeguro whose wife was a daughter of Shikibukyo, a royal prince. Higeguro had no experience with other women for a long time. Now he had to visit Tamakazura at Rokujo, which made him uncomfortable. Therefore, he decided to redecorate the east wing of his house. The house was ruined for he did not maintain it well .
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The wife of Higeguro had been beautiful when she was young. But a malign power had made her behavior eccentric and violent for many years. There was no affection between them. One evening, it was snowing outside. Higeguro tried to persuade his wife to accept his new marriage with Tamakazura. As she seemed to be calmed down, he began to prepare for an outing. Suddenly she stood up, swept the cover from a large censer, stepped behind her husband and poured the ashes over his head. A malign spirit had captured her. The Prince Shikibukyo got angry because his stepson stayed with Tamakazura. So he made his daughter and his granddaughter return to his residence. Divorce in those days was no different from today. She came back her to her home with furniture that she brought in when she married. Women who lost their jobs went away separately. Higeguro’s favorite daughter Makibashira was reluctant to go with her mother. She set down a poem on a sheet of paper and thrust it into a crack in the cypress pillar, writing not to forget her. |
Kuniyoshi, 1845/46 |
Tamakazura was assigned apartments on the east side of the palace. Higeguro continued to stay in the guard’s quarter. He wanted her to withdraw from the court immediately. When she was wondering how to reply to a poem from Prince Hotaru, the emperor came calling. He was unbelievably handsome and the very image of Genji. He reproved her for having gone against his wishes. She did not wish to seem coy. Higeguro was restless knowing that the emperor had called on Tamakazura.
Resumed by Mary Nagase. Published by UNESCO.© UNESCO 2000