Yokobue
Title
"Yokobue" is a transverse bamboo flute. Princess Ochiba's mother gives Yugiri a flute that Kashiwagi often played, and Yugiri uses the term in his poem of thanks.
All translators have "The Flute," except Washburn, who translates "The Transverse Flute."
All translators have "The Flute," except Washburn, who translates "The Transverse Flute."
Chronology
This chapter begins a year after "The Oak Tree," and covers spring through autumn.Position in the Genji
This chapter describes how the yokobue (flute) which was treasured by the late Kashiwagi - who was a great musician - passed into Genji's hands.
[Yokobue, by Tosa Mitsunobu. Harvard Art Museums]
Synopsis
In spring, the first anniversary of Kashiwagi's death arrives Genji has fine services held. Kashiwagi's father, To no Chujo, who does not know the real circumstances, is deeply moved. Yugiri continues to pay visits of condolence to Princess Ochiba, Kashiwagi's widow.When Genji sees little Kaoru munch guilelessly on bamboo shoots sent to the Third Princess by the Cloistered Emperor Suzaku, he realizes that he could never abandon the innocent child.
Yugiri continues to harbor suspicions about the truth behind Kashiwagi's last wishes, but he finds it impossible to broach the subject with his father.
One autumn evening, Yugiri again visits Kashiwagi's widow, Princess Ochiba, in the Ichijo Mansion where she lives with her mother, Miyasudokoro. Of course, Yugiri never gets to see Ochiba and he only talks with her mother via one of the maids. But he finds the relaxing atmosphere a relief from his own noisy home (he has by now 12 children, partly by Kumoi no Kari, partly by his secondary wife Gosechi!). When he picks up a lute to play, unexpectedly Ochiba accompanies him from behind the blinds on her koto. When he leaves, the mother gives him her dead son's prized flute as a keepsake.
Kumoi no Kari is anxious about the rumor that her husband keeps visiting Princess Ochiba.
Kashiwagi appears in Yugiri's dream that night, telling him that there is somebody else whom he wanted to give his flute to. Yugiri visits the Rokujo Estate to tell his father Genji about the dream and ask him what to do with the flute. Watching little Kaoru play with the children of the Akashi Consort, he becomes painfully aware how much the child resembles his dead friend Kashiwagi. When he tells Genji about Kashiwagi's last words, his father just says that he will take care of the flute, and changes the subject.
Genji-e (Information from JAANUS)
Scenes chosen for illustration from this chapter include: the Third Princess receiving bamboo shoots and taro roots from her father, the retired Emperor Suzaku, with the baby Kaoru trying his teeth on one of the bamboo shoots (the above illustration - the Third Princess sits on the green mats together with the two-year old Kaoru; two maids look on); another scene is Yugiri's visit to Princess Ochiba and her mother and their joint music making after which he receives Kashiwagi's flute. Reading The Tale of Genji