Prince Hotaru came calling on the tenth of the Second Month. A gentle rain was falling and the rose plum near the veranda was in full and fragrant bloom. The brothers were admiring the blossoms when a note came attached to a plum branch. It was from Princess Asagao. She had also sent a box containing large balls of perfume. In the letter, she said she would like him to deliver this present to the princess of Akashi. Prince Hotaru admired the beauty of the decoration and Genji wrote a poem of appreciation.

It was now decided that Genji’s daughter would go to court. Genji collected books and scrolls for her library. He invited the finest calligraphers to create masterpieces. Selecting poems from these admired anthologies, Genji tried several styles with fine results, formal and cursive Chinese and the more radically cursive Japanese "ladies hand". He secluded himself as before in the main hall for concentration. He had with him only two or three women whom he could count on for comments. He seems to be enjoying his job, taking a brush between his teeth.