Makibashira
Title
The title of this chapter has been derived from a waka poem composed by Higekuro's daughter when she leaves her father's home together with her deranged mother: 'Now I am leaving my house where I have lived; do not forget me, friendly cypress pillar.' Because she composed the poem, which gave this chapter its title, Higekuro's daughter came to be called by this nickname.
While Waley leaves the title in Japanese, Seidensticker has "The Cypress Pillar" (the correct literal translation), Tyler "The Handsome Pillar" and Washburn "A Beloved Pillar of Cypress". Waley does something strange: instead of using the nickname Makibashira for the daughter who leaves the poem in the pillar, as everyone does, he uses it for her deranged mother (although she has no link with the cypress pillar).
Chronology
Hikaru Genji, age 37 to 38, from winter to the early spring.
Position in the Genji
This chapter centers on General Higekuro's marriage to Tamakazura which takes place around the 10th month and the reactions of his principal wife. In a fit of jealousy, she pours ashes over her husband, which leads to a final break between both partners. She returns to her father's residence.
In the first month, during the men's mumming, Tamakazura goes to the palace as Mistress of Staff, but Higekuro soon takes her home with him.
In the 11th month, Tamakazura has a son.
In the first month, during the men's mumming, Tamakazura goes to the palace as Mistress of Staff, but Higekuro soon takes her home with him.
In the 11th month, Tamakazura has a son.
Synopsis
Although Tamakazura was about to serve as Naishi no tsukasa (female palace attendant), Higekuro forces himself on her through the help of one of her servants right before her entering the Imperial Palace. It is a sad instance of a Heian-period "marriage by rape", where the man at night secretly slips into the women's bedchamber and establishes irreversible facts. Genji is very much to blame: he has irresponsibly postponed Tamakazura's either marrying or entering the palace because he wanted to keep her for himself, while at the same time challenging various men as Higekuro, Hotaru and Kashiwagi to woo her and form a "salon of admirers." However, Genji to keeps his consternation secret, and treats Higekuro, who is ecstatic about getting married to young and beautiful Tamakazura, with courtesy as his son-in-law. Emperor Reizei is disappointed, too, but honors his offer to her of service at court. However, Tamakazura, who is very lukewarm about marrying the boorish and graceless Higekuro, is so downhearted that she feels ashamed and can not even face Genji. On the other hand, her biological father, To no Chujo, welcomes this marriage and thanks Genji, because he thinks it is better for his other daughter, Kokiden, not to compete with Tamakazura for Emperor Reizei's favor.
The happy groom Higekuro begins to enlarge his residence in order to accommodate Tamakazura. However, his wife, who he has completely abandoned by this time, is in despair. She has been deranged for the last several years, something which at that time was rather facilely ascribed to spirit possession. One night, when he is about to leave for Tamakazura's (at that time still living in Genji's Rokujo estate, where the love-lorn Higekuro visits her every night), she suddenly gets mad at him, and throws ashes from the incense burner over him. The hot ashes damage his clothes and he can't visit Tamakazura anymore that night. Higekuro is disgusted with the way his wife has behaved, and the next day stays on at Tamakazura's without returning home, thus in fact breaking off the relation with his principal wife. Her father, Hyobukyo no miya, takes pity on his daughter and decides to have her come back to his house. With the help of his sons, he goes to fetch his daughter and grandchildren while Higekuro is out. The (grand)daughter Makibashira, whom Higekuro loves best among all his children, declares that she wants to wait alone for her father, but is taken away crying. She leaves a poem of farewell on the cypress pillar in the residence. When Higekuro later sees it, he also cries, and visits her father's mansion to see her. However, he is not allowed to meet her and his father-in-law even refuses to speak to him. Only his two sons are given back to him.
When the New Year comes, Higekuro finally allows Tamakazura to honor the Emperor's invitation and serve at the Imperial palace - as Mistress of Staff, so far she had been allowed to work from her home at Genji's estate. She makes a splendid entrance. Emperor Reizei, who immediately visits Tamakazura, is charmed by her beauty (which is even greater than he has heard), and confesses his love for her. Of course that makes Higekuro very upset. Afraid that more may happen and that he may loose his wife, he cuts short her visit to the palace and takes her to his residence - which is conveniently empty due to the absconding of his wife (so far, Tamakazura had remained in her pavilion at Genji's Rokujo estate, where Higekuro used to visit her every day and night). Genji now starts missing Tamakazura, and sends her several letters. However, Higekuro has come between them, so Genji can not communicate freely with her anymore. Before long, Tamakazura gives birth to a son, and after that all talk of serving at the palace dies down - she has to stay at home as Higekuro's wife.
The happy groom Higekuro begins to enlarge his residence in order to accommodate Tamakazura. However, his wife, who he has completely abandoned by this time, is in despair. She has been deranged for the last several years, something which at that time was rather facilely ascribed to spirit possession. One night, when he is about to leave for Tamakazura's (at that time still living in Genji's Rokujo estate, where the love-lorn Higekuro visits her every night), she suddenly gets mad at him, and throws ashes from the incense burner over him. The hot ashes damage his clothes and he can't visit Tamakazura anymore that night. Higekuro is disgusted with the way his wife has behaved, and the next day stays on at Tamakazura's without returning home, thus in fact breaking off the relation with his principal wife. Her father, Hyobukyo no miya, takes pity on his daughter and decides to have her come back to his house. With the help of his sons, he goes to fetch his daughter and grandchildren while Higekuro is out. The (grand)daughter Makibashira, whom Higekuro loves best among all his children, declares that she wants to wait alone for her father, but is taken away crying. She leaves a poem of farewell on the cypress pillar in the residence. When Higekuro later sees it, he also cries, and visits her father's mansion to see her. However, he is not allowed to meet her and his father-in-law even refuses to speak to him. Only his two sons are given back to him.
When the New Year comes, Higekuro finally allows Tamakazura to honor the Emperor's invitation and serve at the Imperial palace - as Mistress of Staff, so far she had been allowed to work from her home at Genji's estate. She makes a splendid entrance. Emperor Reizei, who immediately visits Tamakazura, is charmed by her beauty (which is even greater than he has heard), and confesses his love for her. Of course that makes Higekuro very upset. Afraid that more may happen and that he may loose his wife, he cuts short her visit to the palace and takes her to his residence - which is conveniently empty due to the absconding of his wife (so far, Tamakazura had remained in her pavilion at Genji's Rokujo estate, where Higekuro used to visit her every day and night). Genji now starts missing Tamakazura, and sends her several letters. However, Higekuro has come between them, so Genji can not communicate freely with her anymore. Before long, Tamakazura gives birth to a son, and after that all talk of serving at the palace dies down - she has to stay at home as Higekuro's wife.
Genji-e
There are two scenes from this chapter that are frequently chosen for
illustration.
1 Higekuro while preparing to visit Tamakazura on a snowy winter night, slips a small perfume burner into his sleeve. Seeing this, his first wife approaches Higekuro from behind and pours all the ash from a large brazier over his head. This is the scene illustrated above.
2 The scene that provides the chapter its title. On a snowless winter day the principal wife's brothers come to take her and the children back to her father's house. The daughter writes a farewell poem, addresses and attaches it to the cypress pillar in the east room.
1 Higekuro while preparing to visit Tamakazura on a snowy winter night, slips a small perfume burner into his sleeve. Seeing this, his first wife approaches Higekuro from behind and pours all the ash from a large brazier over his head. This is the scene illustrated above.
2 The scene that provides the chapter its title. On a snowless winter day the principal wife's brothers come to take her and the children back to her father's house. The daughter writes a farewell poem, addresses and attaches it to the cypress pillar in the east room.
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