Asagao
Title
Asagao literally means "morning face," and seems to have been applied
originally to a number of morning-blooming flowers, not just the morning
glory. Here it is translated as "bluebell" by Royall Tyler. In this chapter, it is the nickname given to one of Genji's
cousins, whom Genji has unsuccessfully pursued for years. In the chapter,
Asagao's father dies and she retires from her position as High Priestess
of the Kamo Shrines. Genji sends her a poem, attached to an asagao, but
she rebuffs him again.
Waley just transliterates the title; Seidensticker has "The Morning Glory", Tyler "The Bluebell" and Washburn "Bellflowers".
Chronology
Genji is 32 years of age; the story is set from autumn to winter.
Position in the Genji
The Asagao Princess is a perfect social match for the high-born hero. If he were to succeed in winning her hand, Murasaki's position would be greatly undermined (as happens later with the Third Princess). Happily, the threat never materializes.
Synopsis
Around the same time during the death of Fujitsubo, Genji's uncle (and younger brother of Emperor Kiritsubo), Momozono Shikibukyo no Miya, passes away, so his daughter, Asagao, resigns from the post of Sai-in (Imperial Princess appointed to serve the deities of the Kamo Shrines), and shuts herself up in her residence. Genji, who has been infatuated with his cousin since he was young, often visits the residence of Momozono under the pretext that he calls on his aunt, Onna Gonomiya, living with Asagao, to inquire after her health.
Since Asagao is of noble birth, she could be seen as his possible legal wife,
which makes Murasaki, Genji's "virtual" wife, feel uneasy. But although Asagao has a
liking for Genji, she doesn't want to be his wife - she has heard too much about his many love affairs and what has become of the women who
have been involved with him, such as the Rokujo Lady. She therefore keeps refusing Genji's advances, instead keeping a mere friendship, exchanging elegant letters, but making her answers strictly correct. And when Genji comes to speak to her - sitting in the aisle, while Asagao remains of course respectably behind her screens and curtains - she even refuses to let him hear her voice, only communicating through her attendants. Genji is very much saddened by her coldness. Her staff is on the contrary in support of Genji, but to no avail.
Because Asagao had been a Vestal Sai-in for a long time since the reign of Emperor Suzaku,
she has never married and remains single - in the end she will become a nun,
and leave our story.
One snowy night, Genji, who has given up Asagao, sits thinking back to the past and tells Murasaki about the characters of the women with whom he has had relationships (Fujitsubo, Asagao, Oborozukiyo, Hanachirusato and the Akashi Lady) - trying to put her at ease with the promise that she has no need to worry about his love for her. They enjoy looking at the wonderful snow-covered garden and Genji has the page girls go down and roll a large snowball.
That night Fujitsubo appears in Genji's dream, telling him that she was distressed because her sin was revealed to their son, the Emperor, and she is feeling bitter against him. The next day, Genji secretly holds a memorial service for Fujitsubo, and prays that they may be reunited in the next world.
Genji-e (Information from JAANUS)
The scene most popularly depicted comes from the end of the chapter, when Genji and Murasaki are looking out from the veranda at a group of young girls who enthusiastically play around an enormous snowball in the garden (see the illustration above).