Kashiwagi
Title
"Kashiwagi" literally means "oak tree," and after Kashiwagi's death the word is used in a poem by his widow's mother when referring to his widow.
All translators have "The Oak Tree," except Waley, who transliterates "Kashiwagi."
All translators have "The Oak Tree," except Waley, who transliterates "Kashiwagi."
Chronology
This chapter continues without a break from the previous one. Genji is 48. Position in the Genji
Suffering remorse over his affair with Genji's wife, the Third Princess, Kashiwagi, son of To no Chujo, declines into terminal illness (he in fact commits a slow suicide). The Third Princess gives birth to Kashiwagi's son Kaoru, and then decides to become a nun. Kashiwagi dies after telling some of the truth to his friend and Genji's son Yugiri. Kashiwagi asks Yugiri to look after his official wife Princess Ochiba (the Second Princess and sister of Genji's wife).
[Kashiwagi, by Tosa Mitsunobu. Harvard Art Museums]
Synopsis
After the New Year, Kashiwagi's illness worsens and he is preparing himself for his death. He sends a letter to the Third Princess baring his soul to her. Encouraged by her chambermaid Kojiju (who in the previous chapter has facilitated Kashiwagi's access to her), she writes a brief reply. That very evening, the Third Princess is seized by labor pains and the next morning gives birth to a baby boy, Kaoru.
Weak from the birth and fearful of Genji's coldness, she tells her husband she wants to take holy orders, but he forbids her to do so. After receiving a (very unusual) visit from the Cloistered Emperor Suzaku, however, who calls on him secretly late at night out of concern for his daughter, Genji acquiesces to the request. The ex-Emperor himself cuts her hair. He has given the Third Princess in marriage to Genji in order to be free from worldly cares and concentrate on religious devotions, but Genji has badly failed him.
When Kashiwagi hears that the Third Princess has taken vows, his illness reaches the final stage. When his friend Yugiri comes to look in on him, he hints at the reason for his illness. After asking Yugiri to apologize for him to Genji and look after his wife, Princess Ochiba, Kashiwagi passes away. On his death bed he is promoted to Acting Grand Counselor, but that does not help.
In the third month, a ceremony for the baby Kaoru's fiftieth day is held. Genji's feelings are decidedly mixed in the presence of the Third Princess in her nun's habit and the baby who so painfully resembles the dead Kashiwagi.
Yugiri respects Kashiwagi's last request to look after his widow and his sympathy gradually turns to love.
Weak from the birth and fearful of Genji's coldness, she tells her husband she wants to take holy orders, but he forbids her to do so. After receiving a (very unusual) visit from the Cloistered Emperor Suzaku, however, who calls on him secretly late at night out of concern for his daughter, Genji acquiesces to the request. The ex-Emperor himself cuts her hair. He has given the Third Princess in marriage to Genji in order to be free from worldly cares and concentrate on religious devotions, but Genji has badly failed him.
When Kashiwagi hears that the Third Princess has taken vows, his illness reaches the final stage. When his friend Yugiri comes to look in on him, he hints at the reason for his illness. After asking Yugiri to apologize for him to Genji and look after his wife, Princess Ochiba, Kashiwagi passes away. On his death bed he is promoted to Acting Grand Counselor, but that does not help.
In the third month, a ceremony for the baby Kaoru's fiftieth day is held. Genji's feelings are decidedly mixed in the presence of the Third Princess in her nun's habit and the baby who so painfully resembles the dead Kashiwagi.
Yugiri respects Kashiwagi's last request to look after his widow and his sympathy gradually turns to love.
Genji-e (Information from JAANUS)
Scenes frequently chosen for illustration include: (1) Kashiwagi, in a white robe on his sick bed, reading a letter from the Third Princess. In a different room, his father and an ascetic confer about his condition; (2) the Cloistered Emperor Suzaku, now a monk, visits his distraught daughter, the Third Princess, after she has given birth to Kashiwagi's son, thought by the world to be Genji's. The princess pleads to be allowed to become a nun; (3) Genji holding his "son" Kaoru in his arms; 4 Yugiri visiting Kashiwagi's widow, Princess Ochiba, and her mother at their Ichijo mansion, while the cherry trees are in bloom - this is the illustration represented in the above.