Kagero
Title
Waley translates "The Gossamer-Fly", Seidensticker "The Drake Fly", Tyler "The Mayfly" and Washburn "Ephemerids".
The title of this chapter has been derived from the waka poetry composed by Kaoru when he recalled his relationship with three sisters of Uji. "I couldn't catch mayflies even though I saw them flying about. When I looked again, they had already disappeared and I didn't know where they had gone." As it refers to the three Uji sisters, I think the chapter title should be in plural form.
The title of this chapter has been derived from the waka poetry composed by Kaoru when he recalled his relationship with three sisters of Uji. "I couldn't catch mayflies even though I saw them flying about. When I looked again, they had already disappeared and I didn't know where they had gone." As it refers to the three Uji sisters, I think the chapter title should be in plural form.
Chronology
This chapter follows immediately on the previous one and takes place in Kaoru's 27th year.
Position in the Genji
Ukifune is presumed to have drowned herself in the river over her inability to resolve her choice between Kaoru and Niou. Empress Akashi commissions a reading of the Lotus Sutra at the Rokujo, where Kaoru becomes attracted to her daughter, the First Princess, Onna Ichi no Miya.
[Kagero, by Tosa Mitsunobu. Harvard Art Museums]
Synopsis
At the disappearance of Ukifune, the whole Uji villa is thrown into an uproar. Ukon, Ukifune's lady-in-waiting, has found a letter her mistress has written and addressed to her mother the night before, and they all realize that Ukifune may have thrown herself into the Uji River. Ukifune's mother Chujo no Kimi rushes to the scene and is deeply shocked. In order to keep up appearances, Ukifune's funeral is held on the same night without her remains.
Kaoru, who has been confining himself at Ishiyamadera Temple to pray for the health of his mother, the Third Princess, comes to know the incident only after the funeral. He rails against his own wretched fate. Niou, too, is out of his mind for days and confines himself at his residence under the pretext of illness. Seeing Niou's situation, Kaoru realizes that his friend and Ukifune have indeed been lovers.
Kaoru proceeds to Uji and hears the story from Ukon. He consoles Chujo no Kimi, who is in deep sorrow, by promising her that he will patronize Ukifune's younger brothers. Kaoru organizes the Buddhist memorial service for the forty-ninth day after Ukifune's death.
In summer, when the lotus blossoms are at their height, the Akashi Empress commissions a formal reading of the Lotus Sutra. During the event, Kaoru
Kaoru, who has been confining himself at Ishiyamadera Temple to pray for the health of his mother, the Third Princess, comes to know the incident only after the funeral. He rails against his own wretched fate. Niou, too, is out of his mind for days and confines himself at his residence under the pretext of illness. Seeing Niou's situation, Kaoru realizes that his friend and Ukifune have indeed been lovers.
Kaoru proceeds to Uji and hears the story from Ukon. He consoles Chujo no Kimi, who is in deep sorrow, by promising her that he will patronize Ukifune's younger brothers. Kaoru organizes the Buddhist memorial service for the forty-ninth day after Ukifune's death.
In summer, when the lotus blossoms are at their height, the Akashi Empress commissions a formal reading of the Lotus Sutra. During the event, Kaoru
catches a glimpse of the First Princess, elder sister of his principal wife (and also daughter of the Akashi Empress and sister of Niou), and is struck by her regal beauty. He asks his own wife, the Second Princess, to put on similar clothes, but she still can't compare to her elder sister. He begins to visit the First Princess from time to time.
At the mansion of the First Princess, Kaoru also meets a daughter of Genji's younger half-brother, the late Prince Shikibu, who is now in the service of the princess. Had the Prince lived, the daughter now would have been married to the Crown Prince. Struck by the uncertainty of life that has brought her to this situation, Kaoru is led to reflect on the sad and ephemeral fates of Oigimi and Ukifune. while gazing at mayflies in the evening.
At the mansion of the First Princess, Kaoru also meets a daughter of Genji's younger half-brother, the late Prince Shikibu, who is now in the service of the princess. Had the Prince lived, the daughter now would have been married to the Crown Prince. Struck by the uncertainty of life that has brought her to this situation, Kaoru is led to reflect on the sad and ephemeral fates of Oigimi and Ukifune. while gazing at mayflies in the evening.
Genji-e (Information from JAANUS)
Scenes frequently chosen for illustration include: 1. in the Fifth Month, Kaoru breaks off a branch of orange blossoms (tachibana) to send to Naka no Kimi as a hototogisu cries overhead; 2. in the Sixth Month at the Rokujo mansion, Kaoru spies on the First Princess who is dressed in a white gossamer robe and red trousers as she and her ladies are chipping away at a large block of ice (the illustration shown above); 3. at the end of summer, Kaoru disturbs several ladies who are at calligraphy practice; they flee, leaving several sprays of flowers on the lid of a writing box.