Reading The Tale of Genji (48): Bracken Shoots (Sawarabi)

 

Sawarabi

Title

The chapter title is based on the poem that the ajari (the holy man of Uji who had been the religious advisor of her father) towards the end of the First Month sends to Naka no Kimi accompanied by a basket of bracken shoots and horsetails. The custom to send new, green shoots at the beginning of the year as a wish for good health in the coming year to persons to whom one felt close, has also appeared earlier on in the Genji in the Wakana chapters. Also see the poem by Emperor Koko about such green shoots in the Hyakunin Isshu.

Waley translates "Fern-Shoots," Seidensticker "Early Ferns," Tyler "Bracken Shoots" and Washburn has "Early Fiddlehead Greens." 

Chronology

This chapter takes place in spring when Kaoru is 25 years old.

Position in the Genji

In this chapter, Niou moves his new love, Naka no Kimi, from Uji to his Nijo mansion in the capital. At the same time, Kaoru, having lost Oigimi, finds himself falling in love with her younger sister Naka no Kimi, whose affair with Niou he himself arranged. 

[Sawarabi, by Tosa Mitsunobu. Harvard Art Museums]

Synopsis

Spring has come again to the village of Uji. As usual, sawarabi (young shoots of bracken or fern) are delivered to Naka no KImi, who has lost both her father Hachi no Miya and sister Oigimi, by the Ajari, her father's religious teacher. Naka no Kimi is moved to tears by the Ajari's thoughtfulness.

Since it has become impossible for Niou to commute to Uji, he has decided to bring Naka no Kimi early in the second month to his Nijo mansion in Kyoto. Kaoru, the guardian of Naka no Kimi, takes great care in preparing for her journey to the capital. On the day before her departure, Kaoru visits Uji and talks until late at night with Naka no Kimi about their memories of Oigimi. Kaoru is filled with regret that he has made Naka no Kimi marry Niou (her wasted face has come to resemble that of Oigimi), and she herself is also worried about the future. The old nurse, Ben no Kimi, who has become a nun after the death of Hachi no Miya, has made up her mind to remain in Uji. The night before the departure of Naka no Kimi, she talks with Kaoru about the evanescence of life.

On the 7th day of the 2nd month, Naka no Kimi arrives at the Nijo mansion and is treated with great consideration by Niou. Hearing this, Yugiri, who has been planning the marriage of Roku no Kimi and Niou, decides to hold the coming of age ceremony of Roku no Kimi after 20 days. He now asks Kaoru to marry her, but Kaoru flatly refuses. At Kaoru's refusal, Yugiri is dissatisfied with both Kaoru and Niou, who are so infatuated with the Uji sisters that they show no interest in his beloved daughter, Roku no Kimi.

When the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, Kaoru visits the Nijo mansion and has a long talk with Naka no Kimi, making Niou jealous - after Kaoru has left, his fragrance lingers on her robes (even though nothing has happened between them). 

Genji-e (Information from JAANUS)

The most frequently chosen episode for illustration is that which gives the chapter its title: towards the end of the First Month the Ajari of Uji sends a basket of fern shoots to Naka no Kimi accompanied by a poem (as in the above illustration). 　 

Reading The Tale of Genji