Murasaki had been in bad health for almost four years. She wanted to be a nun to prepare herself for the next world. Although Genji himself wanted to be a priest, he refused to listen to her wish, fearing separation from her. It was the tenth day of the Third Month, when the cherries were in bloom. On her request, services for the lotus sutra were performed. Looking out upon this magnificent scene longingly, Murasaki thought of how little time she had left.

On one cool autumn evening, Murasaki enjoyed a private talk with Genji and the Empress Akashi. The following morning, she faded away. Distraught at her death, Genji requested Yugiri to call someone to administer vows. Yugiri replied: "It is too late to do so. Changing her figure would make the sorrow deeper." But he summoned several of the priests and asked them to do whatever could still be done.