Reading The Tale of Genji (29): An Imperial Excursion (Miyuki)

Miyuki

The Title

All four translators have somewhat different titles, but there are no major differences: Waley has "The Royal Visit", Seidensticker "The Royal Outing", Tyler "The Imperial Progress", and Washburn "An Imperial Excursion". In Genji's poem on which this title is based, "miyuki" is at the same time a wordplay on "snow."

Chronology

From the winter of Genji's 36th year to February of his 37th.

Position in the Genji

Emperor Reizei goes on a winter outing to Oharano, just southwest of the city. In Oharano stood one of the major clan shrines of the ruling Fujiwara family, the Oharano Shrine, which due to the marriage relations with the imperial family, was therefore also important to Japan's emperors (today, it is a sleepy shrine in Kyoto's outskirts; the major Fujiwara shrine is Kasuga Taisha in Nara).

[Miyuki, by Tosa Mitsunobu, Harvard Art Museums]

Synopsis

In the Twelfth Month, Emperor Reizei visits Oharano on a royal hunt, with princes and high courtiers in charge of the falcons and a jostling of carriages by the spectators. Genji does not take part, probably because it is uncomfortable to be seen in public with the emperor, his secret son. Tamakazura joins the party, hoping for the first time to catch a glimpse of her father, To no Chujo. She is however most of all fascinated by the handsomeness of Emperor Reizei, who looks exactly like Genji. Genji recommends Tamakazura's serving as Naishi no tsukasa (female palace attendant), as if he has seen straight through her.

In a separate episode, on the first day of the Second Month, Genji has a chance meeting with To no Chujo and they renew their friendship despite a long-standing rivalry. Later still, as Genji prepares Tamakazura for her presentation as a consort at court, his various ladies contribute gifts for her equipment, including rather old-fashioned clothing from the "Safflower Lady" Suetsumuhana.

While Genji hurries to prepare for Tamakazura's Mogi (coming-of-age ceremony for girls), he asks her biological father, To no Chujo, to act as koshi-yui (one who ties a band around the young woman's waist in the ceremony). To no Chujo, however, declines, citing the illness of his mother, Princess Omiya, as pretext. So Genji visits Princess Omiya, and he confesses to her and to To no Chujo who Tamakazura is. To no Chujo is now willing to take the role of koshi-yui, and on the day of the ceremony, the father and daughter finally meet each other. Before long, people find out the truth, and Omi no Kimi is ridiculed more than ever because she is envious of Tamakazura, who is beloved by all.

Genji-e
In the above illustration, spectators are waiting at a temporary bridge over the Katsura River for the procession of the emperor (who is not shown - we see the moment of anticipation before his party arrives), while snow has started to flutter down. One of the waiting carriages must be that of Tamakazura, perhaps the one at the top left with the bamboo blinds.

Reading The Tale of Genji