wakamurasaki
わかむらさきChapter: 5Age: Age 18 (March)-WinterMain character: Genji
In the spring of the following year, the heartbroken Genji travels to Kitayama for healing, where he encounters a beautiful young girl living with her grandmother, a nun. She is Fujitsubo's niece; Genji becomes obsessed with her and asks to take her in and raise her himself, but the nun will not consent. In summer, Fujitsubo returns home from court through illness. Genji meets her secretly a second time, and her pregnancy is discovered soon after. In winter, Genji takes the young girl from Kitayama almost by abduction. She, called Murasaki, will later become Murasaki no Ue.
Scenes
- 1Between invocations Genji strolls and views the scenery, hearing his attendants speak of famous places and of the daughter of the Akashi recluse.
- 2At the Bishop's monastery in Kitayama, Genji glimpses a beautiful girl (Murasaki) who comes to the veranda chasing an escaped sparrow.
- 3Genji visits the Bishop's monastery and asks about the girl's parentage; the garden, with its stream and bonfires, is deeply charming.
- 4Genji lies awake troubled by longing; the sound of the waterfall seems to grow stronger.
- 5The Minister of the Left's sons come to fetch Genji; with the Bishop they feast and play music among the falling cherry blossoms.
- 6Hearing Genji's voice after he visits the nun upon returning to the capital, Murasaki clamors to see her, and the ladies restrain her.
- 7After the nun's death, Genji visits Murasaki and tries to take the shy girl onto his knee to rest.
- 8Genji lives at Nijo-in with Murasaki, amusing themselves with calligraphy and dolls.
Illustrated scrolls depicting "wakamurasaki"
Home
Emaki List
Emaki Ranking
Search