源氏物語紫式部

THETALEOFGENJIMurasakiShikibu

Ritualsubstitution

Genji thought he could see something of himself in the rather large doll being cast off to sea, bearing away sins and tribulations.

Suma (p. 272)

舟にことことしき人形乗せて流すを見たまふに、よそへ られて、…

人形ひとがた

人形供養ひとがたく よ う

形代かたしろ

形見かた み

淡嶋神社あわしまじんじゃ

蛍Fireflies

Chapter25

Plotline

Genji returns from exile, after having established relationship with Akashi Lady

Suzaku abdicates; Reizei becomes emperor

Rokujō dies; Genji adopts Akikonomu

Genji wants to make Akikonomu Reizei’s consort (this thwarts retired emperor Suzaku’s desires)

Tō no Chūjō wants own daughter to become Reizei’s consort

Genji’s triumphs in Picture Contest (Chapter 17)

Fujitsubo dies

Reizei learns Genji is his real father

Tries to abdicate, Genji prevents him

Yūgiri comes of age

Genji withholds high rank

Tō no Chūjō prevents Yūgiri’s relations with Kumoi-no-kari

Genji discovers Tamakazura

She has many suitors; Genji himself shows erotic interest

GENJI 源氏

REIZEI 冷泉 *

TŌ NO CHŪJŌ 頭中将

HOTARU 螢兵部卿宮

pKIRITSUBO-IN 桐壺院

SUZAKU-IN 朱雀院

HIGHNESS OF CEREMONIAL 式部卿宮

* aka, Prince Hyōbu

pKOKIDEN 弘徽殿大后

AKASHI LADY 明石の君

KUMOI NO KARI

雲居雁

TAMAKAZURA 玉鬘

AKASHI PRINCESS 明石姫君

pAOI 葵の上

AKIKONOMU 秋好中宮

p FUJITSUBO 藤壺

HANACHIRUSATO 花散里

p ROKUJŌ 六条御息所

OBOROZUKIYO 朧月夜

4TH PRINCESS 四の君 p YŪGAO

夕顔WIFE OF

INSPECTOR GRAND

COUNSELOR 按察大納言の北の方

FIRST WIFE 北の方

YŪGIRI 夕霧

HIGEKURO 髭黒

KASHIWAGI 柏木

MURASAKI 紫の上

Questions1. What are Tamakazura feelings toward Hotaru? (cf. p. 275)

2. On page 279, we read: “There was something different about his manner when he was with her, something especially charming and seductive. But she was beyond the direct reach of direct overtures.” Who is Genji thinking of?

3. Describe Genji’s relationship with the Lady of the Orange Blossoms (cf. p. 282 ff.).

4. What are Genji’s views on “romances” (monogatari)?

5. On page 286: “What would Tamakazura have made of the difference between his remarks to her and these remarks to Murasaki?” Explain.