Genji Monogatari - The Tale of Genji: Aoi (Hollyhock)

None

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Section ten of Genji Monogotari by Murasaki Shikibu. The Libervoxia
courting is in the public domain Section ten aoi Hollyhock.
The Emperor has at last abdicated his throne as he
has long intended in favor of the heir apparent, and
the only child of the Princess Hysteria is made heir

(00:23):
apparent to the new emperor. The ex emperor now lived
in a private palace with his princess in a less
royal style, and the Niyogo of Kokaidan, to whom was
given the honorary title of ex Empress, resided in the
Imperial Palace with the emperor her son and took up
a conspicuous position. The ex Emperor still felt some anxiety

(00:47):
about the heir apparent and appointed Genji as his guardian,
as he had not yet a suitable person for that office.
This change in the reigning emperor and the gradual advancement
of Genji's position gave the latter greater responsibility, and he
had to restrain his wandering now according to usage, the

(01:07):
Saigu and Sayin were selected for the latter. The second
sister of the emperor was chosen, and for the former,
the only daughter of the lady robe Geo, whose husband
had been a royal prince. The day of the departure
of the Saigu for Isin was not check fixed, and
the mind of her mother, who had some reasons for

(01:28):
dissatisfaction with Genji, was still wavering in her indecision whether
or not she should go to Iso with her daughter.
The case of the Sayin, however, was different, and the
day of her installation was soon fixed. She was the
favorite child of her mother as well as of her father,
and the ceremonies for the day of consecration were arranged

(01:49):
with especial splendor. The number of persons who take a
share in the procession on this occasion is defined by regulations,
yet the selection of this number was most carefully mane
mad from the most fashionable of the nobles of the time,
and their dresses and saddles were all chosen of beautiful appearance.
Genji was also directed by special order to take part

(02:10):
in the ceremony. As the occasion was expected to be magnificent.
Every class of the people showed great eagerness to witness
the scene, and a great number of stands were erected
all along the road. The day thus looked forward to
at last arrived. Lady Aos seldom showed herself on such occasions. Besides,

(02:32):
she was now in a delicate state of health near
her confinement, and had therefore no inclination to go out.
Her attendants, however, suggested to her that she ought to go.
It is a great pity, they said, not to see it.
People come from a long distance to see it. Her
mother also said, you seem better today. I think you

(02:54):
had better go. Take these girls with you. Being pressed
in this way, she hastily made up her mind and
went with a train of carriages or The road was
thronged by multitudes of people, many dressed in a style
which is called supo shozoc, many of great age prostrated
themselves in an attitude of adoration, and many others, notwithstanding

(03:16):
their natural plainness, looked almost blooming from the joy expressed
in their countenances. Nay, even nuns and aged women from
their retreats were to be seen amongst them. Numerous carriages
were also squeezed closely together, so that the broad thoroughfare
of the Ichijyo road was made almost spaceless. When however,

(03:37):
the carriages of the Lady Ao's party appeared. Her attendants
ordered several others to make way, and forced the passage
to the spot where the best view could be obtained
and where the common people were not allowed. Among these
happened to be two Ajuro carriages, and their inmates were
plainly incognito and persons of rank. These belonged to the

(03:59):
par of the Lady of Roggio. When these carriages were
forced to give place, their attendants cried out, these carriages
do not belong to people who ought to be so
abruptly forced away. But the attendants of the Lady Aeo,
who were slightly under the influence of drink, would not
listen to their expostulations, and they at last made their

(04:21):
way and took up their position, pushing the other two
back where nothing could be seen, even breaking their poles.
The lady so maltreated, was of course extremely indignant, and
she would fain have gone home without seeing this spectacle.
But there was no passage for retiring. Meanwhile, the approach
of the procession was announced, and only this calmed her.

(04:42):
A little Genji was, as usual conspicuous in the procession.
There were several carriages along the roads, on whose occupants
his glance was cast. That of Lady Eo, however, was
the most striking, and as he passed by, the attendants
saluted him courteously, which act Genji acknowledged what were the
feelings of the Lady of Roggio, who had been driven

(05:06):
back at this moment. In due course, the procession passed
and the exciting scene of the day was over. The
quarrels about the carriage naturally came to the ears of Genji.
He thought that Lady Ao was too modest to be
the instigator of such a dispute, but her house was
one of great and powerful, famous families for overweening pride,

(05:28):
a tendency shared by its domestics, and they, for other
motives also of rivalry, were glad to have an opportunity
of mortifying the Lady of Roggio. He felt for the
wounded lady and hastened to see her, but she, under
some pretext, refused to see him. The day of the
Hollihop effect of the same temple came. It was especially

(05:51):
grand as it was the first one after the installation
of the new Saim. But neither Lady Ao nor the
Lady of Roggio was present, while Genji privately took violent
with him in a close carriage to see the festival
and saw the horse traces. We have already mentioned that
the mind of the Lady of Roggio was still wavering
and unsettled whether or not she should go to Esay

(06:14):
with her daughter, and this state of mind became more
and more augmented and serious after the day of the
dispute about the carriages, which made her feel a bit
of disdain and jealousy towards the Lady Ao. Strange to
say that from about the same time Lady Ao became
ill and began to suffer from spiritual influences. All sorts

(06:34):
of exorcisms were duly performed, and some spirits came forth
and gave their names. But among them was a spirit,
apparently a living one, which obstinately refused to be transmitted
to the third party. It caused her great suffering and
seemed not to be of a casual nature, but a permanent,
hostile influence. Sam imagined this to be the effect of

(06:56):
fearful jealousy of some one who was intimately known to
Genji and who had most influence over him, but the
spirit gave no information to this effect. Hence, some even
surmised that the wandering spirit of some aged nurse or
the like, long since dead, still haunted the mansion and
might have seized the opportunity of the lady's delicate health

(07:17):
and taken possession of her. Meanwhile, at the mansion of Ruggio,
the Lady, when she was informed of the sufferings of
Lady Ao, felt somewhat for her and began to experience
a sort of compassion. This became stronger when she was
told that the sufferings of the Lady Ao were owing
to some living spirit. She thought that she had never

(07:37):
wished any evil to her, but when she reflected, there
were several times when she began to think that a
wounded spirit such as her Oah might have some influence
of the kind. She had sometimes dreams after weary thinking,
between slumber and waking, in which she seemed to fly
to some beautiful girl, apparently Lady Ao, and to engage

(07:58):
in bitter contention and struggle with her. She became even
terrified at these drenes, But yet they took place very often,
even in ordinary matters. She thought it is too common
a practice to say nothing of the good done by people,
but to exaggerate the bad. And so in some cases,
if it should be rumored that mine was that living

(08:19):
spirit which tormented Lady Ao, how trying it would be
to me. It is no rare occurrence that one's disembodied
spirit after death should wander about. But even that is
not a very agreeable idea. How much more, then must
it be disagreeable to have the repute that one's living
spirit was inflicting pain upon another. These thoughts still preyed

(08:43):
upon her mind and made her listeners and depressed. In
due course, the confinement of Lady Ao approached. At the
same time, the jealous spirit still vexed her, and now
more vigorous exercising was employed. She became much affected by
and cried out, please release me a little. I have
something to tell the prince. Hereupon he was ushered into

(09:07):
the room. The curtain was dropped, and the mother of
the lady left the room, as she thought her daughter
might prefer to speak to him in private. The sound
of the spells performed in the next chamber ceased, and
how Kikio was red in its place. The lady was
lying on her couch, dressed in a pure white garment
and her long tresses unfastened. He approached her, and taking

(09:31):
her hand, said, what's sad affliction you cause us? She
then lifted her heavy eyelids and gazed on Genji for
some minutes. He tried to soothe her and said, pray,
don't trouble yourself too much about matters. Everything will come right.
Your illness, I think, will soon pass away. Even supposing
you quit this present world, there is another where we

(09:52):
shall meet, and where I shall see you once more cheerful,
and there will be a time when your mother and
father will also join you. Ah No, I only come
here to solicit you, to give me a little rest.
I feel extremely disturbed. I never thought of coming here
in such a way. But it seems the spirit of

(10:13):
one whose thoughts are much disconcerted wanders away, unknown even
to itself. Oh bind my wandering spirit, prey dear one,
nor let its longest stray. The nunciation of these words
was not that of Lady Ao herself, and when Genji
came to reflect, it clearly belonged to the Lady of Ruggio.

(10:34):
Always before, when anyone had talked with him about a
living spirit coming to bex Lady Ao. He felt inclined
to suppress such ideas, But now he began to think
that such things might really happen, and he felt disturbed.
You speak, thus, said Genji, as if he was addressing
the spirit. But you do not tell me who you are.

(10:56):
Do therefore tell me clearly that these were strange to say.
The face of the Lady Ao seemed momentarily to assume
the likeness of that of Rogjiu. On this, Genji was
still more perplexed and anxious, and put a stop to
the colloquy. Presently, she became very calm, and people thought
that she was a little relieved. Soon after this, the

(11:20):
lady was safely delivered of a child. Now to perform
due thanksgiving for this happy deliverance, the head of the
monastery of Mount Hie and some other distinguished priests were
sent for They came in all haste, wiping off the
perspiration from their faces as they journeyed, and from the
Emperor and royal princes down to the ordinary nobles all

(11:41):
took an interest in the ceremony of ub yashinai first feeding,
and the more so as the child was a boy
to return to the Lady of Rogchio. When she heard
of the safe delivery of Lady Ao, a slightly jealous
feeling once more seemed to vex her, and when she
began to move about, she could not understand how it was,

(12:02):
but she perceived that her dress was scented with a
strange odor. She thought this most surprising and took baths
and changed her dress in order to get rid of it,
but the odors soon returned and she was disgusted with herself.
Some days passed and the day of autumn appointments arrived.
By this time, Lady Ayo's health seemed progressing favorably, and

(12:24):
Genji left her in order to attend the court. When
he said good bye to her, there was a strange
and unusual look in her eyes. Sadai Jin also went
to court, as well as his sons, who had some
expectation of promotion, and then a few people left in
the mansion. It was in the evening of that day
that Lady Ao was suddenly attacked by a spasm, and

(12:46):
before the news of this could be carrieded to the court,
she died. These sad tidings soon reached the court and
created great distress and confusion. Even the arrangements for appointments
and promotion were disturbed. It happened late in the evening.
There was no time to send for the head of
the monastery or any other distinguished priest. Messengers of inquiry

(13:08):
came one after another to the mansion, so numerous that
it was almost impossible to return them all answers. We
need not add how greatly affected were all her relations
as the death took place from a malign spiritual influence.
She was left untouched during two or three days, in
the hope that she might revive, but no change took place,

(13:31):
and now all hope was abandoned. In due course, the
corpse was taken to the cemetery of Torrebino. Numerous mourners
and priests of different churches crowded to the spot, while
representatives of the ex Emperor, Princess Wistaria and the Heir
apparent also were present. The ceremony of burial was performed

(13:52):
with all solemnity and pathos. Thus the modest and virtuous
Lady Ao passed away forever. She forthwith confined himself to
his apartment in the Grand Mansion of sadai Jin for
mourning and consolation. Ton Chiojo, who was now elevated to
the title of Sami, constantly bore him company and conversed

(14:14):
with him, both on serious and amusing subjects. Their struggling
the apartment of gen Naishi and also their wrong conca
in the garden of the saffron flower were among the
topics of their consoling conversation. It was on one of
these occasions that a subt shower of rain was falling.
The evening was rendered cheerless, and ton Chiojo came to

(14:37):
see him, walking slowly in his morning robes of a
dull color. Genji was leaning out of the window, his
cheeks resting on his hand, and looking out upon the
half fading shrubberies, was humming. Has she become rain? Or cloud?
Tis now unknown? Ton Chiojo gently approached him. They had,
as usual, some pathetic conversation, and then the latter hung,

(15:01):
as if to himself, beyond the cloud in yonder sky,
from which descends the passing rain, her gentle soul may dwell,
though we may cease to trace its form in vain.
This was soon responded to by Genji that cloudy shrine
review on high where my lost love may dwell unseen

(15:22):
looks gloomy now to this sad eye that looks with
tears on what has been. There was among the faded
plants of the garden a solitary Rindo nadeshko. When ton
Chojo had gone, Genji picked this flower and sent it
to his mother in law by the nurse of the
infant child, with the following In bowers where all beside

(15:44):
our dead survives alone, this lovely flower departed Autumn's cherished gem,
symbol of joy's departed hour. Genji still felt lonely. He
wrote a letter to the Princess Momozono Peach Gardens. He
had known her long He admired her too. She had
been a spectator with her father on the day of

(16:05):
the consecration of the Sayen, and was one of those
to whom the appearance of Genji was most welcome. In
his letter, he stated that she might have a little
sympathy with him in his sorrow, and he also sent
with it the following. Many an autumn have I passed
in gloomy thought, but none I ween has been so
mournful as the last, which rife with grief and change,

(16:27):
hath been. There was indeed nothing serious between Genji and
this princess, Yet as far as correspondence was concerned, they
now and then exchanged letters. So she did not object
to receiving this communication. She felt for him much, and
an answer was returned in which she expressed her sympathy
at his bereavement. Now in the mansion of sadai Jin,

(16:51):
every performance of requiem was celebrated. The forty night day
had passed, and the mementos of the dead, both trifling
and valuable, were ditributed in a due and agreeable manner,
and Genji at length left the grand mansion with the
intention of first going to the ex emperor and then
of returning to his mansion at Nyo. After his departure,

(17:13):
Sadaijin went into the apartment occupied till lately by him.
The room was the same as before, and everything was unchanged,
But his only daughter, the pride of his old days,
was no more, and his son in law had gone too.
He looked around him for some moments he saw some
papers lying about. They were those on which Genji had

(17:35):
been practicing penmanship for amusement, some in Chinese, others in Japanese,
some in freestyle, others in stiff. Among these papers, he
saw one on which the words old pillows and old
quilts were written, and close to these the following, how
much the soul departed still may love to linger round
this couch. My own heart tells me even I reluctant

(18:00):
hand to leave it now. And on another of these papers,
accompanying the words the white frost lies upon the tiles,
the following, how many more of nights shall lie on
this lone bed without the lie the flower has left
its well known bed, and o'er its place the dews
are shed. As sadai Jin was turning over these papers,

(18:22):
a withered flower, which seemed to have marked some particular occasion,
dropped from amongst them. Return we now took Genji. He
went to the Exemperor, to whom he still seemed thin
and care worn. He had some affectionate conversation with him,
remained till evening, and then proceeded to his mansion at Nijio.

(18:43):
He went to the western wing to visit the young Violet.
All were habited in new winter apparel and looked fresh
and blooming. How long it seemed since I saw you,
he exclaimed. Violet turned her glance a little aside. She
was apparently shy, which only increased her beauty. He approached and,

(19:05):
after having a little conversation, said I have many things
to say to you, but now I must have a
little rest, and returned to his own quarters. The next morning,
first of all, he sent a letter to Sadai Djinn's
making inquiry after his infant child. At this time he
confined himself more than usual to his own house, and

(19:27):
for companionship he was constantly with Violet, who was now
approaching womanhood. He would sometimes talk with her differently from
the manner in which he would speak to a mere girl,
but on her part, she seemed not to notice the difference,
and for their daily amusement, either Go or Henski were
resorted to, and sometimes they will play on till late

(19:49):
in the evening. Some weeks thus passed away, and there
was one morning when Violet did not appear so early
as usual. The inmates of the house, who did not
know what was the reason, were anxious about her, thinking
she was indisposed. About noon, Genji came. He entered the
little room, saying, are you not quite well? Perhaps you

(20:10):
would like to play go again like last night for
a change, but she was more than ever shy. Why
are you so shy, he exclaimed to be a little
more cheerful. People may think it strange, said he, and
stayed with her a long time, trying to soothe her,
but to no effect. She still continued silent and shy.

(20:32):
This was the evening of wild Boar's Day, and some
mochi pounded rice cake was presented to him according to custom,
on a tray of plain white wood. He called Kromits
before him and said, to day is not a very
opportunate day. I would rather have them to morrow evening.
Do send in some to morrow. It need not be

(20:55):
of so many colors, so saying he smiled a little
and sharp corom soon understood what he meant, and this
he accordingly did on the morrow, on a beautiful flower waiter.
Up to this time, nothing about Violet had been publicly known,
and Genji thought it was time to inform her father
about his daughter. But he considered he had better have

(21:16):
the ceremony of Mogi first performed see ante, and ordered
preparations to be made with that object. Let us here
notice that the young daughter of udai Jin, after she
saw Genji, was longing to see him again. This inclination
was perceived by her relations. It seems that her father

(21:37):
was not quite a verse to this liking, and he
told his eldest daughter, the reigning Emperor's mother, that Genji
was recently bereaved of his good consort, and that he
should not feel discontented if his daughter were to take
the place of Lady Ao. But this the Royal Mother
did not approve. It would be far better for her
to be introduced at court, she said, and began contrive

(22:00):
to bring this about. End of Section ten.