Reading The Tale of Genji (27): Cresset Fires (Kagaribi)

Kagaribi

Title

"Kagaribi" means "cresset," a fire built in an iron basket and used for a watchfire, a fishing fire, or simply outdoor illumination. Waley and Seidensticker opt for "(The) Flares," but that is more a type of pyrotechnic that produces a brief bright light used for distress signaling. Tyler has "The Cressets," and Washburn "Cresset Fires," which both are correct.  Elsewhere I have also found "Fire Baskets."

Genji uses the word "cresset fire" in a poem he gives to Tamakazura, employing it as a metaphor for the smouldering passion he feels for his adopted daughter.

Chronology

This chapter follows directly on "Wild Pinks," and takes place in the seventh month of the year when Genji is 36 years old. In the lunar calendar the seventh month was regarded as the first month of autumn.

Position in the Genji

Kagaribi continues Genji's wooing of his adopted daughter Tamakazura during a scene in early autumn when he is teaching her to play the koto. Later Yugiri and Kashiwagi join the music making. Kashiwagi is attracted to Tamakazura, without knowing that she is in fact his half-sister.

[Kagaribi, by Tosa Mitsunobu, Harvard Art Museums]

Synopsis

Recently, rumors about Omi no Kimi, a newly-found daughter of To no Chujo, who is making a laughingstock of herself, have been spreading. Tamakazura also hears such gossip, and begins to appreciate the care Genji has given her despite the fact that she is not his real daughter (and that he keeps bothering her with his attentions).

One night in early autumn, Genji again visits Tamakazura's wing of the northeast residence with its beautiful garden, as he all-too often does. He is aware that a man of his age and stature can't pursue a sexual relationship with his adopted daughter, but his pent up feelings leave him no rest. Genji has just ordered his servants to relight the cresset fires in Tamakazura's garden so that it is bathed in a beautiful light. He has come to teach her the koto, but stays very close beside her, their heads resting on the koto as on a pillow. It is a very intimate scene. Though he makes no actual overtures, he expresses his painful feelings of love in a poem to her. Tamakazura can not help feeling troubled.

Just at that moment, Genji hears music being played in concert by Yugiri, Kashiwagi and others in the east wing. He invites them to come to Tamakazura's veranda and play music together. Kashiwagi plays with remarkable skill. Perversely, Genji hastens the infatuation Kashiwagi feels for his half sister - a relationship about which Kashiwagi has still been left in the dark. 

Genji-e

Illustrations chosen for this chapter include: the intimate scene of Genji lying down with Tamakazura with their heads on the koto - we see the garden lit by a cresset fire underneath a spindle tree that arches over a brook (as above); or slightly later in the same place with Yugiri, Kashiwagi, and his brother, who have joined them for a concert.

Reading The Tale of Genji