Suetsumuhana
Title
Chronology
Position in the Genji
This chapter belongs to the "Broom Tree Group," about ladies who remain "hidden." Still mourning the loss of Yugao, Genji is looking for women who might console him. But in contrast to Yugao, which ends tragically, this is a humorous interlude. The ruined princess Genji hears about, appears to be very antiquated in her education and is not beautiful at all. Genji's competition with To no Chujo is also played for laughs.
[The Safflower (Suetsumuhana) by Tosa Mitsunobu,
from Harvard Art Museums]
Synopsis
There was an old ideal in the fiction of the period of a type of woman living in seclusion in an old mansion, like a hidden pearl, "a tragic princess who was ruined." So when Genji hears from Taifu no Myobu, a lady-in-waiting at court and the child of another of his old nurses, that the daughter of the late Prince Hitachi has been living in seclusion and straightened circumstances since her father's death, with no friend but her koto instrument, he is seized with curiosity.
One moonlit spring night Genji proceeds with Myobu to the princess' mansion and secretly listens to her playing the koto (he doesn't peep at her, but secretly listens to her music, so this is kaimami with the ears!). But he has a rival: his friend To no Chujo has also heard a rumor about the princess, and has followed Genji. The rivalry spurs Genji into romantic action. They both write letters to her, as rivals for her affections. But although they wait a long time, the princess doesn't send any answers.
Genji then enlists Myobu's help again and once more goes secretly at night to Suetsumuhana's mansion. He now enters her chamber (thereby winning the competition with To no Chujo) and spends the night with her. Although her koto playing is superb and she has a beautiful voice (that is all Genji can perceive in the darkness!), he is disappointed by her figure which is tall, angular and bony, as well as by her artlessness, squareness and naivete, so different from the court ladies he knows. So after he returns home, he has trouble writing the customary loving "morning after " note with poem, and it is fully evening before he is able to send it out.
Then some time passes because Genji is kept busy with the preparations for an Imperial Outing. But one snowy night he pays a long overdue visit to Princess Suetsumuhana. The next morning, in bright sunlight reflected off the fallen snow, he for the first time sees her face and discovers that her nose is rather long - something which goes against Heian esthetics, where very fine and thin noses were appreciated. Moreover, it is bright red, as if colored by safflower dye - undoubtedly caused by the cold weather, but this makes for a comic effect. The Safflower Princess is also pale, thin and very tall - the only positive note Genji can discern is that she has beautiful, extremely long hair.
And it is not only her outward appearance that is not perfect. The only daughter of Prince Hitachi, a member of the imperial family, the proud princess has received an an extremely antiquated education, and is completely "out of the loop" as regards witty conversation, or knowledge about modern fashion trends. She is also quite obstinate - a far cry from the vulnerable type of woman Genji likes.
But Genji feels pity for this lonely woman who has maintained the household of the late Prince, and he sympathizes with her poverty and the dilapidated state of her house. So he starts supporting her financially through various generous gifts (when she sends a return gift of clothing, this again is so terribly old-fashioned that Genji soon hides it, too embarrassed to show it to his ladies-in-waiting). Genji demonstrates the good side of his character by from now on providing for the Safflower Princess for the rest of her life. This was also due to her unending loyalty to Genji.
Genji-e
In Genji-e of this chapter we see Genji sitting together with the princess, in a seemingly loving attitude. Both are turned towards the viewer. The particular physical features of the princess have been glossed over by the painter, although she has raised her hand to her mouth as if giggling. The orange-brown color on her dress may indicate the old-fashioned sable fur jacket she is wearing. Genji's servant is clearing the snow off the trees in the garden, causing cascades of snow.