maboroshi

まぼろし
Chapter: 41Age: Age 52, New Year-Year's endMain character: Genji

Following Murasaki's death, Genji spends a year of solitary mourning at Nijo mansion, watching the seasons pass in acute grief. He declines official visitors, finding small comfort only in young Niou's innocence. At year's end, after burning Murasaki's letters to sever all remaining worldly attachments, Genji prepares to leave the world behind for good.

Scenes

  1. 1The spring after losing Murasaki, grieving Genji stays behind the blinds, sees no New Year visitors, and exchanges poems only with Hotaru Hyobukyo no Miya, who steps out beneath the red plums.
  2. 2In late spring Genji longs and grieves for Murasaki amid the blooming cherries of Nijo-in; he is comforted by Prince Niou's innocence in not letting Murasaki's beloved cherries scatter.
  3. 3Genji visits the Third Princess at Rokujo-in; Prince Niou also comes in a lady's arms and plays with young Kaoru; the Third Princess chants sutras before the Buddha.
  4. 4Genji reads the writings Murasaki left, weeps, writes a poem, and then burns them all.
  5. 5Genji thanks the officiating monk of the Buddha-name service; snow falls on the plum blossoms just beginning to open.
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