Genji Monogatari - The Tale of Genji: Suyetsu-Hana (Saffron Flower)

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section seven of Genji Monogratari by Murasaki Shikibu, presented by
dream Orderburghs. Section seven Souyetsu Hanna saffron Flower. The beauteous
Jugeyo of Genji was lost, but memory of her never
vanished from his mind. Her attractive nature, thoughtfulness, and patient

(00:25):
manner had seemed to him surpassingly charming. At last, he
began to think of seeking for some other maiden who
might resemble her in these qualities. True, his thoughts had
often reverted to Sikada and to her young friend, but
it was now of little use thinking of them, for
one had gone to the country and the other was married.

(00:48):
Now Genji had another nurse, next in degree to Dami.
The daughter of thisness, Tayu no Miyobu, was in court service.
She was still young and full of mirth and life.
Genji was wanted to make her useful when in the palace.
Her father, who had been remotely connected with the royal blood,
was an official in the war department. Her mother, however,

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had been married again to the governor of the province
of Jigsen and had gone there with her husband. So
Tayu made her father's house her home and went from
there backwards and forwards to the palace. She was an
intimate acquaintance of a young princess, the daughter of the
late Lord Lieutenant of Hitachi, and she had been the

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child of his old age and was at this time
his survivor. The life that she passed was somewhat lonely
and her circumstances miserable. Tayu mentioned this young lady to Genji,
who exclaimed, how sad tell me all about her? I
cannot say that I know so much about her, replied Tayo.

(01:51):
She leads a very retired life and is seldom seen
in society. Perhaps some favorable evening you might see her
from a hiding place. Koto is her favorite instrument and
the favorite amusement of her solitude, ah, said Genji. I
see one of the three friends, says the Chinese poet school,
then music, poetry and wine. But of the other two

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one is not always a good friend. And he added, well,
you may manage some time to let me hear her koto.
The prince her father had great taste and reputation in
the arts, so I believe she is no ordinary performer,
but perhaps after all not so good as you imagine,
replied Tayo, disingenuously. Now that remains to be discovered, cried Genji,

(02:39):
nibbling at the bait. One of these evenings, I will come,
and you had better be there also. Now. The home
of Tayo's father was at some distance from the princess's mansion,
but Tayo used to spend her time very often with
the princess when she had leave of absence from the court,
chiefly because she did not like being at home with
her stepmother. For this reason, Tayu had plenty of chances

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for gratifying the wish of Genji to see the princess.
So a certain evening was appointed. It was a sweet,
balmy day in spring, and the grounds of the palace
were full of silence and repose. Tayo left the palace
and proceeded to the mansion of the princess, attracted more
by the beauty of the evening than by the appointment made.

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Genji also appeared on the scene with the newly risen
moon and was soon prattling with Tayu. You have not
come at a very favorable time, said she. This is
not the sort of evening when the Koto sands, sweetest,
but take me somewhere so that I may hear her voice.
I cannot go away without hearing that. Kayu then led

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him into a private room, where she made him sit
down and left him, saying, as she went away, I
am sorry to make you wait, but you must have
a little patience. She proceeded to another part of the
palace occupied by the princess. She found sitting pensively near
an open casement, inhaling the rich perfume of the plum blossoms.

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A good opportunity, thought tay you, and advancing to the princess, said,
what a lovely evening, How sweet at such an hour
as the music of the koto. My official going to
and fro to the palace prevents me from having the
pleasure of hearing it often, So do now if you
please play me a tune. You appreciate music, said the princess,

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But I am afraid that mine is not good enough
to charm the ear of courtiers. But if you wish it,
I will play one tune, and she ordered the koto
to be brought and began to strike it. Her skill
was certainly not super excellent, but she had been well instructed,
and the effect was by no means displeasing to the ear.
Tell you, however, it must be remembered. Was rather a

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sharp girl. She did not like Genji to hear too
much so as to criticize, and therefore said to the princess,
casting a glance upwards, how changed and dull the sky
has become a friend of mine. Is waiting and perhaps impatient.
I must have more of this pleasure some other time.
At present, I must go and see him. Thus she

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caused the princess to cease playing and went to Genji,
who exclaimed when she returned, her music seems pretty good,
but I had better not have heard it at all.
How can we judge by so little? If you are
willing to oblige me at all, let me hear and
see more closely than this. Tayo made a difficulty. She
is so retiring, she said, and always keeps herself in

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the strictest privacy. Were you to intrude upon her, it
would not be acting rightly. Truly, so replied Genji, her
position insures her from intrusion. Let us then seek for
some better opportunity. And then he prepared to take his leave,
as if he had some other affairs on his hands.

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Tayo observed with a knowing smile, the Emperor your father
always thinks of you as quite guileless, and actually said
so when I hear these remarks, I often laugh in
my sleeve. Where his majesty to see you in these disguises?
What would he then think? Genji answered with a slight laugh. Nonsense.
If these stripling amusements had thought so improper, how cheerless

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the life of woman would be. Tau made no remarking reply.
So Genji then left the house and took a stroll
round the garden, intending to reach that part of the
mansion where the princess had her apartments. As he sauntered along,
he came to a thick hedge in which there was
a dark bower, and here wished to stop Awhile he

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stepped cautiously into it, when he suddenly perceived a tall
man concealed there. Who can this be? Thought Genji, as
he withdrew to a corner where the moonlight did not reach.
This was Tono Tchiujo, and the reason of his being
there was this. He had left the palace that evening
in company with Genji, who did not go to his

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house in his jio, nor to his bride, but separated
from him on the road. Turn Chiojo was very anxious
to find out where Genji was going. He therefore followed
him unperceived. When he saw Genji enter the mansion of
the princess, he wished to see how the business was
end so he waited in the garden in order that

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he might witness Genji's departure, listening at the same time
to the Koto of the Princess. Genji did not know
who the man was, nor did he wish to be recognized.
He therefore began to retreat slowly on tiptoe when ton
Chiojo came up to him from behind and addressed him.
You slighted me, but I have come to watch over you.

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Though like two wandering moons on high we left our
vast imperial home, we parted on our road, and I
knew not where you were bent to Rome. Genji at
once recognized his companion, and, being somewhat amused at his pursin, exclaimed,
what an unexpected surprise we all admire. The moon tis true,

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whose home, unknown to mortal eye, is in the mountain hid,
But who to find that far off home, would try
hereupon to no Chiojo gave him a taunt. What will
you do, said he? If I were to follow you
very often? Were you to maintain true propriety in you opposition,
you ought always to have trustworthy attendants, and I am

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sure by doing so you will meet with better fortune.
I cannot say that it is very decorous of you
to go wandering about in such a fashion. It is
too frivolous, now, very tiresome, mentally, exclaimed Genji. But he
little knows about his Nadashiko, little darling. I have him there.

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Neither of them ventured to go to any other rendezvous
that night, but with many mutual home thrusts, they got
into a carriage together and proceeded home, amusing themselves all
the way with a duet on them flutes. Entering the mansion,
they went to a small apartment, where they changed their
dresses and commenced playing the flutes in such a manner

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as if they had come from the palace. The sadai Jin,
here in this music, could not forbear joining them, and
blew skillfully a Korean flute in concert with theirs. Lady
Ao also in her room, catching the impulse ordered some
practiced players on the Koto to perform. Meantime, both Genji

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and Tono Tchiujo in their secret minds, for thinking of
the notes of the Koto heard before on that evening,
and of the bare and pitiable condition of the residence
of the princess, whom they had left a great contrast
to the luxury of their present quarters, Tono Choujo's idea
about her took something of this shape. If girls, who

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from a modest propriety keep themselves aloof for years from
our society, were at last to be subdued by our attentions,
our affection for of them would become irresistible, even braving
whatever remarks popular scandal might pass upon us. She may
be like one of these. The Prince Genji seems to
have made her the object of some attentions. He is

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not one to waste his time without reason. He knows
what he is doing. As these thoughts arose in his mind,
dislike feeling of jealousy disturbed him and made him ready
to dare a little rivalry in that quarter. For it
would appear that after this day amateury letters were often
sent both by him and Genji to the princess, who however,

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returned no answer to either. This silence on her part
made Tono Childo more especially think, thus a strange rejection,
and from one too, who possesses such a secluded life. True,
her birth is high, but that cannot be the only
reason which makes her bury herself in retirement. There must
be some stronger reason. I presume, as we have before mentioned,

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Genji and to no Chiojo was so intimate that all
ceremony was dispensed with between them, and they could ask
each other any question without reserve. From this circumstance, Tonu
Chiojo one day boldly inquired of Genji, I dare say
you have received some replies from the princess, have you not?
And I, for my part, have thrown out some hints

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in that quarter by way of experiment, But I gave
up in disappointment. Ah, then he too has been trying, there,
thought Genji, smiling slightly, and he replied very vaguely. I
am not particularly concerned whether I get an answer or not.
Therefore I cannot tell you whether I have received any

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I understand that, thought to nou Chiojo, perhaps he has
got one. I suspect so to say the truth, Genji
was not very deeply smitten by the princess, and he
was but little concerned at her sending no reply to
his letter. But when he heard the confession of his
brother in law's attempts in the same quarter, the spirit

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of rivalry sert him once more. A girl thought, he
will yield to him who pays her the most attentions.
I must not allow him to excel me in that.
And Genji determined to achieve what he intended to do,
and with this object still enlisted the aid of Taiou.
He told her that the princess's treating his letter with

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such indifference was an act of great cruelty. Perhaps she
does this, said he, because she suspects I am changeable.
I am not, however, such a one as that. It
is often only the fault of ladies themselves that causes
men to appear. So besides, a lady like the princess,
who has neither parent nor brother to interfere with her,

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is a most desirable acquaintance, as we can maintain our
friendship far better than we could otherwise do. Yes, what
you say is all very well, replied Taiou. But the
princess is not exactly so placed that any one can
make himself quite at ease with her. As I told
you before, she is very bashful and reserved, but yet

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is perhaps more desirable for this very reason, And she
detailed many more particulars about her. This enabled Genji to
fully picture the general bearing of the princess's character, and
he thought, perhaps hers is not one of brilliant activity,
but she may be modest and of a quiet nature
worthy of attention, And so he kept the recollection of

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her alive in his mind. Before, however, he met her,
many events had taken place. He had been attacked by
the egg, which led to his journey to the mountain
and his discovery of Violet and his secret affection for
a certain one in the palace. His mind being thus
otherwise occupied, the spring and summer passed away without anything

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further transpiring about the princess. As the autumn advanced, his
thoughts recurred to past times, and even the sound of
the Fuller's hammer, which he had listened to in the
home of Yugo, came back to his mental ear. These
reveries again brought him to the recollection of the princess.
He Tauchi, and now once more he began to urge

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Taiou to contrive a meeting. It would seem that there
was no difficulty for Tayu to bring the matter about,
but at the same time, no one knew better than
herself that the natural gifts and culture of the princess
were far from coming up to Genji's standard. She thought, however,
that it would matter very little if he did not
care for her, but if, on the other hand, he

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did so, he was quite free to come and see
her without any interference. For this reason, she at last
made up her mind to bring them together, and she
gave several hints to the princess. Now. It so happened
towards the end of August that Taiou was, on one occasion,
engaged in conversing with the princess. The evening was as

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yet moonless, the stars alone twinkled in the heavens, and
the gentle winds blew plaintively over the tall trees around
the mansion. The conversation gradually led to times gone by,
and the princess was rendered sad by the contrast of
her present circumstances with those of her father's time. This
is a good opportunity, thought Taiou, and she sent it

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seems a message to Genji, who soon hastened to the
mansion with his usual alacrity. At the moment when he
arrived on the scene, the long looked full moon had
just made her appearance over the tops of a distant mountain,
and as he looked along the wildly growing hedges around
the residence, he heard the sound of the koto, which
was being played by the princess at Tayu's request. It

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sounded a little too old fashioned, but that was of
no consequence to the eager ears of the prince. He
soon made his way to the entrance and requested a
domestic to announce him to Taiyu. When the latter heard
of this, she affected great surprise and said to the Princess,
the prince has come. How annoying. He has often been
displeased because I have not yet introduced him to you.

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I have often told him that you do not particularly
like it, and therefore I cannot think what makes him
come here. I had better see him and send him away.
But what shall I say? We cannot treat him like
an ordinary person. I'm really puzzled. What to do. Will
you not let me ask you? If you will see
him for a few minutes, then all matters will end satisfactorily.

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But I am not used to receive people, said the princess, blushing.
How simple minded, rejoined Tyu coaxingly. I am sorry for that,
For the bashfulness of young ladies who are under the
care of their parents may sometimes be even desirable. But
how then is that parallel with your case. Besides, I
do not see any good in a friendless maiden refusing

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the offer of a good acquaintance. Well, if you really
insist upon it, said the princess. Perhaps I will, but
don't expose me too much to the gaze of a stranger.
Having thus cunning persuaded the princess, Tayu set the reception
room in order, into which Genji was soon shown. The
princess was all the while experiencing much nervousness, and as

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she did not know exactly how to manage, she left
everything to tire you, and was led by her to
the room to receive her visitor. The room was arranged
in such a way that the princess had her back
to the light, so that her face and emotions could
be obscured. The perfume which she used was rich, still
preserving the trait of high birth, but her demeanor was

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timid and her deportment awkward. Genji at once noticed this,
just as I imagined, she so simple, thought he, and
then he commenced to talk with her, and to explain
how passionately he had desired to see her. She, however,
listened to him almost in silence, and gave no plain answer.

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Genji was disconcerted, and at last said, from you, I
sought so oft reply, but you to give one would
not deign. If you discarbe me, speak and I will
cease to trouble you again. The governess of the Princess,
Kojijiu by name, who was present, was a sagacious woman,

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and noticing the embarrassment of the lady, she advanced to
her side and made the following reply in such a
well timed manner that her real object, which was to
conceal the deficiencies of her mistress, did not betray itself,
not by the ringing of a bell. Your words, we
wished to stay, but simply she has not to tell
her nothing much to say. Your eloquence has so struck

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me that my mouth is almost closed, said Genji, smiling.
Not speaking is a wiser part, and words are sometimes vain.
But to completely close the heart in silence gives me pain.
He then tried to speak of this thing and that indifferently,
but all hopes of agreeable responsiveness on the lady's part
being vain. He coolly took his leave and left the mansion.

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Much disappointed. This evening, he slept in his mansion at Nijio.
The next morning, to Chiojo appeared before he had risen.
How late, how late? He cried in a peculiar tone,
were you fatigued last night? Eh? Genji rose and presently
came out, saying, I have overslept myself. That is all

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nothing to disturb me. But have you come from the palace?
Was it your official watch night, yes, replied to no Chiojo.
And I must inform you that the dancers and musicians
of the Fetin suzak In are to be nominated to day.
I came from the palace to report this to my father.
So I must now go home, but I will soon

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return to you. I will go with you, said Genji,
but let us breakfast before we start. Breakfast was accordingly
brought of which they partook two carriages, Genji's and to
No Chiojo's, were driven to the door, but to Chojo
invited the prince to take a seat with him. Genji complied,
and they drove off, going along Tonu. Chiojo observed, with

(20:05):
an envious tone in his voice, you look very sleepy,
to which Genji returned an indifferent reply. From the house
of sadai Jin, they proceeded to the Imperial Palace to
attend the selection of the dancers and musicians. Thence Genji
drove with his father in law to the mansion of
the latter. Here, in the excitement of the coming fete,

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were assembled several young nobles, in addition to Genji himself.
Some practiced dancing, others music, the sound of which echoed
everywhere around. A large hichiriki and a sakuhachi, two kinds
of flute were blown with the utmost vigor. Even large
drums were rolled upon a balcony and beaten with a will.

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During the following days, therefore, Genji was so busily engaged
that no thought came across his mind of revisiting the princess.
Hitachi Tayu certainly came now and then and strove to
induce him to pay the princess another visit, but he
made an excuse on the pretext of being so much occupied.
It was not until the fete was over that one

(21:09):
evening he resolved to pay a visit there. He did not, however,
announce his intention openly, but went there in strict secrecy,
making his way to the house unobserved, as there was
no one about. On his arrival, he went up to
the latticed window and peeped through. The curtains were old
and half worn out, yet was still left to hang.

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In the once pretty and decorated chamber, there were a
few domestic maidens there partaking of supper. The table and
service seemed to be old Chinese, but everything else betrayed
a scantiness of furniture. In the further room, where the
mistress was probably dining, an old waitress was passing in
and out, wearing a peculiar white dress rather faded in appearance,

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and an awkward looking comb in her hair, after the
old fashioned style of those formerly in the service of
the aristocratic class, of whom a few might still be
retained in a family. Ah, thought Genji, smiling, we might
see this kind of thing. In the College of Ceremonies.
One of the maids happened to say, this poor cold

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place where one's life is too long, such fate comes
to us. Another answered her, how was it? We did
not like the mansion when the late prince was living.
Thus they talked about one thing or another connected with
their mistress's want of means. Denji did not like that
they should know that he had seen and heard all this,
So he slyly withdrew some distance, and then, advancing with

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a firm step, approached the door and knocked. Someone is come,
cried a servant, who then brought a light, opened the door,
and showed him into a room, where he was soon
joined by the princess, Neither Tayu nor Kojiju being there
on this occasion. The latter was acquainted with the saying
the Sacred Virgin at the Temple of Kamox and often

(23:02):
spent time with her. On this occasion, she happened to
be visiting her, a circumstance which was not very convenient
for the princess. The dilapidated state of the mansion was
just as novel to Genji as that which he had
seen in the lodge of Yugaeo. But the great drawback
consisted in the princess's want of responsiveness. He spoke much,

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but she little. Outside in the meantime, the weather had
become boisterous and snow fell thickly, while within in the
room where they sat, the lamp burned dimly, no one
waiting there even to trim the light. Some hours were
spent between them, and then Genji rose and, throwing up
the shutter in the same way as he did in

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the Lodge of Yugaeo, looked upon the snow which had
fallen in the garden. The ground was covered with a
sheet of pure whiteness. No footstep had left its trace,
betraying the fact that few persons came to the mansion.
He was about to take his departure with bus, some
vague impulse arrested his departure. Turning to the princess, he

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asked her to come near him and to look out
on the scene, but she somewhat unreadily complied. The evening
was far advanced by the reflection of the snow. Threw
a faint light over wall. Now for the first time
he discovered the imperfections of the personal attractions of the princess. First,
her stature was very tall, the upper part of her

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figure being out of proportion to the lower. Then one
thing which startled him most was her nose. It reminded
him of the elephant of fugen. It was high and long,
while its peak, a little drooping, was tinged with pink.
To the refined eyes of Genji, this was a sad defect. Moreover,

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she was thin, too thin, and her shoulders drooped too much,
as if the dress was too heavy for them. Why
am I so anxious to examine and criticize, thought Genji,
But his curiosity impelled him to continue his examination. Her
hair and the shape of her head were good, in
no way inferior to those of others he liked so well.

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Her complexion was fair, and her forehead well developed. The
train of her dress, which hung down gracefully, seemed about
a foot too long. If I described everything which she wore,
I should become loquacious. But in old stories the dress
of the personages is very often more minutely described than
anything else, so I must, I suppose do the same.

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Her vest and skirt dress were double and were of
light green silk, a little worn over, which was a
robe of dark color. Over all this she wore a
mantle of sable, of good quality, only a little too
antique in fashion to all these things. Therefore, he felt
no strong objection. But the only thing he could not
pass unnoticed was her nose and her style of movement.

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She moved in a stiff and constrained manner, like a
master of the ceremonies in some court procession, spreading out
his arms and looking important. This afforded him amusement, but
still he felt for her. If I say too much,
pardon me, said Genji, But you seem apparently friendless. I
should advise you to take interest in one with whom

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you have made acquaintance. He will sympathize with you. You
are much too reserved. Why are you so The icicle
hangs at the gable end but melts when the sun
is high. Why does your heart not to me unbend
and warm to my melting side. A smile passed over
the lips of the princess, but they seemed too stiff

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to reply. In a similar strain, she said nothing. The
time had now come for Genji to depart. His carriage
was drawn up to the middle gate, which, like everything
else that belonged to the mansion, was in state of dilapidation.
The spot, overgrown with wild vegetation, spoken of by Sammon
nour Kami, might be such as this, he thought. If

(26:57):
one can find a real beauty of elevated character and
obtain her, how delightful would it not be? The spot
answered the description. But the girl does not quite equal
the idea. However, I really pity her and will look
after her. She is a fortunate girl. For if I
were not such a one as I am, I should

(27:18):
have little sympathy for the unfortunate and unfavored. But this
is not what I shall do. He saw an orange
tree in the garden covered with snow. He bade his
servant shake it free. A pine tree, which stood close by,
suddenly jerked its branches, as if in emulation of its neighbor,
and threw off its load of snow like a wave.

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The gate through which he had to drive was not
yet opened. The gatekeeper was summoned to open it. Thereupon,
an aged man came forth from his lodge. A miserable
looking girl with a pinched countenance stood by his daughter
or granddaughter, whose dress looked poorer from the whiteness of
the surrounding snow. She had something containing lighted charcoal, which

(28:02):
she held to her breast for warmth. When she observed
that her aged parent could scarcely push back the gate,
she came forward and helped him, and the scene was
quite drill. Genji's servant also approached them, and the gates
were thrown open again. Genji hummed the one who, on
the time bent head of age beholds the gathered snow,

(28:24):
nor less his tears of grief may shed, for griefs
that youth can only know, and added youth with its
body uncovered. Then the pitiable image of one with a
tinged flower on her face presented itself once more to
his thoughts and made him smile. If Tono Chojo observed this,
what would he not have to say? Thought he as

(28:47):
he drove back slowly to his mansion. After this time,
communications were frequently sent from Genji to the princess. This
he did because he pitied the helpless condition and circumstances
he had witnessed, more than for any other reason. He
also sent her rolls of silk, which might replace the
old fashioned sable skins. Some damas calico and the like. Indeed,

(29:11):
presents were made even to her aged servants and to
the gatekeeper. In ordinary circumstances with women, particular attention such
as this might make a blush, but the Princess did
not take it in such a serious light, nor did
Genji do this from any other motive than kindness. The
year approached its end, he was in his apartment in

(29:32):
the Imperial Palace when one morning Tallou came in. She
was very useful to him in small services such as
hair dressing, et cetera, so she had easy access to him,
and thus she came to him this morning. I have
something strange to tell you, but it is somewhat trying
for me to do so, she said, half smiling. What

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can it be? There can be nothing to conceal from me,
But I have some reason for my hesitation to revere,
replied Taiyu, you make the difficulty as usual, rejoined Genji.
This is from the princess, she said, taking a letter
from her pocket and presenting it. It is a thing
of all others that you ought to conceal, cried Genji,

(30:14):
taking the letter and opening it. It was written on
thick and coarse paper of michinok manufacture. The verse it
contained ran as follows, like this, my sleeves are worn
away by weeping at your long delay. These words puzzled Genji.
Inclining his head in a contemplative way. He glanced from

(30:36):
the paper to Taiyu, and from Taiyou to the paper.
Then she drew forth a substantial case of antique patterns,
saying I cannot produce such a thing without shame. But
the Princess expressly sent this for your new year. I
could not return it to her nor keep it myself.
I hope you will just look at it well. Certainly,

(30:56):
replied Genji, it is very kind of her, at the
same time thinking what a pitiful verse. This may really
be her own composition. No doubt Kojijo has been absent. Besides,
she seems to have had no master to improve her penmanship.
This must have been written with great effort. We ought

(31:18):
to be grateful for it, as they say. Here, a
smile rose on Genji's cheeks, and a blush upon Tayu's.
The case was opened, and a naoshi, a kind of
gown of scarlet, shabby and old fashioned, of the same
colour on both sides was found inside. The site was
almost too much for Genji from its absurdity. He stretched

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out the paper on which the verse had been written
and began to write on one side as if he
was merely playing with the pen. Taiou, glancing slyly found
that he had written, this colour pleases not mine eye,
too fiery bright its gaudy hue, and when the saffron
flower is nigh the same pink tinge was plain to view.

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He then erased what he had written, but Taiyu quickly
understood what he really meant by saffron flower, referring to
the pinkness of its flowers. So she remarked, although addressed
too bright in hue and scarlet tints may please you,
not at least her who sends be true? Soon will
Naoshi be forgot? While they were thus prattling on the matter,

(32:26):
people were entering the room to see him. So Genji
hastily put the things aside, and Taiyu retired a few
days after. Genji one morning looked into the Daihansho large
parlor where he found Taiyu and threw a letter to her, saying, Taiyu,
here is the answer it has cost me some pains,

(32:47):
and then passed through, humming as he went, with a
peculiar smile, led that scarlet tinged plum. None but Tayu
understood the real illusion. One of the women observed, the
weather is too frosty. Perhaps he has seen some one
reddened by the frost. Another said, what an absurdity. There
is no one among us of that you, but perhaps

(33:09):
Sacon or Uneme may be like this. And thus they
chattered on till the matter dropped. The letter was soon
sent by Taiyou to the princess, who assembled all her
attendants round her, and they all read it together. When
the following was found in it, on my rare visits,
you complain, but can the meaning be Pray come not

(33:30):
often nor again, for I am tired of thee On
the last day of the year, he made the following
presents to the princess, sending them in the same case
as the naoshi had been sent to him, stuffed for
a complete dress which had originally been presented to himself.
Also rolls of silk, one of the color of the

(33:50):
purple grape, another of the carrier Japonica color, and others.
All these were handed to the Princess by Taiou. It
should be observed that these presents were made by Genji
to the princess chiefly on account of her reduced circumstances.
Her attendants, however, who wished to flatter their mistress, exclaimed,
our scarlet dress was very good too. Scarlet is a

(34:13):
colour which never fades. The lines we sent were also excellent.
Those of the Prince are, no doubt a little amusing,
but nothing more. The Princess, flattered by the remarks, wrote
down her verse in her album as if worthy of preservation.
The new year began with the Morrow, and it was
announced that the Otoko Dooka gentlemen singing dances would soon

(34:37):
take place, in which Genji would take part. Hence, he
was busy in going backwards and forwards to practice. But
the lonely residence of the Saffron Flower began to draw
his thoughts in that direction. So after the ceremony of
the State Festival on the seventh day, he betook himself
there in the evening, after he had left the Emperor's presence,
having made a pretense of retiring to his own private

(34:59):
apartments on this occasion, the appearance of the lady happened
to be a little more attractive, and Genji was pleased,
thinking there might be a time when she would improve
still more. When the sun shone forth, he rose to leave.
He opened the casement on the western side of the mansion,
and looking at the corridor, perceived that its roof was

(35:19):
broken through it. The sunshine peaked and shone upon the
slight cover of snow scattered in the crevices. The scene,
as we have said before, betrayed everywhere dilapidation and decay.
The mirror stand, combs, and dressing case were brought in
by an attendant. They were all of an extremely antique pattern.

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He drew an arm stall near him, and, resting himself
upon it, began combing his hair. He was amused at
the sight of these articles, which were doubtless a legacy
from her parents. The dress of the princess was in
every way nicer. It had been made out of the
silk of Genji's present. He recognized it by the tasteful pattern.

(36:01):
Turning to her, he said, this year you might become
a little more genial. The only thing I wait for
above all is a change in your demeanor, to which
she with some awkwardness, said in the spring, when numerous
birds sing. This poetic response was a great delight to Benji,
who thought they were the silent touches of time, and

(36:22):
that she had made some improvement. He then left and
returned to his mansion in Nidio, where he saw the
young Violet innocently amusing herself. She wore with grace a long,
close fitting cherry colored dress of plain silk. She had
not yet blackened her teeth, but he now made her
do so, which gave a pleasant contrast to her eyebrows.

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He played at their usual games at toys with her,
trying in every way to please her. She drew pictures
and painted them. So did he. Also. He drew the
likeness of a lady with long hair, and painted her
nose with pink. Even in caricature it was odd to see.
He turned his head to a mirror in which he
saw his own image reflected in great serenity. He then

(37:09):
took the brush and painted his own nose pink violet.
On seeing this, screamed, when I become ornamented in this way,
what shall I be like? Inquired Genji. That would be
a great pity. Do wipe it? Off it might stain,
she replied. Genji partly wiped it off, saying, need I
wipe it off any more? Suppose I go with this

(37:32):
to the palace. On this, Violet approached and carefully wiped
it for him. Don't put any more color, cried Genji,
and play upon me as hide. The mild sun of
spring descended in the west, and darkness slowly gathered over
the forest tops, obscuring all but the lovely white plum blossoms,
which were still visible. Amidst the gloom. At the front

(37:55):
of the porch, also, a red plum blossom, which usually
opens very early, was deeply tinged with glowing hues. Genji murmured,
the red tinged flower is far from fair, nor do
my eyes delight to see. But yon red plum which
blossoms there is full of loveliness to me? What will

(38:15):
become of all these personages? End of section seven