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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Section fifteen of Genji Monogotari by Murasaki Shikibu. This LibriVox
recording is in the public domain. Section fifteen Myo Sgushi
the Beacon Genji well remembered the dream which he had
dreamt at Suma, and in which his father, the late
ex Emperor, had made a faint allusion to his fallen state.
(00:24):
He was always thinking of having solemn service performed for him,
which might prove to be a remedy for evils. He
was now in the capital and at liberty to do
anything he wished. In October, therefore, he ordered the grand
Ceremony of Mihako to be performed for the repose of
the dead. Meanwhile, the respect of the public towards Genji
(00:47):
had now returned to its former state, and he himself
had become a distinguished personage in the capital. The Empress mother,
though indisposed, regretted she had not ruined Genji altogether, while
the Emperor, who had not forgotten the injunction of the
late ex Emperor, felt satisfied with his recent disposition towards
his half brother, which he believed to be an act
(01:09):
of goodness. This he felt the more because he noticed
the improvement in his health continued from day to day,
and he experienced a sensation of fresh vigor. He did not, however,
believe he should be long on the throne, and when
he found himself lonely, he often sent for Genji and
spent hours conversing with him without any reserve on public affairs.
(01:33):
In February of the next year, the ceremony of the
gembuk or of the heir Apparent, who was eleven years
of age, was performed. At the end of the same month,
the emperor abdicated the throne in favor of the heir apparent,
and his own son was made the heir apparent to
the new emperor. The suddenness of these changes struck the
empres's mother with surprise, but she was told by her
(01:55):
son that his abdication had been occasioned by his desire
to enjoy quiet and treose. The new reign opened with
several changes in public affairs. Genji had been made Naidaijin.
He filled this extra office of daijin because there was
no vacancy either in their sadaijin or the udaijin. He
(02:17):
was to take an active part in the administration, but
as he was not yet disposed to engage in the
busy cares of official life. The ex Sadaijin, his father
in law, was solicited to become the regent for the
young emperor. He at first declined to accept the office
on the ground that he was advanced in age, that
he had already retired from official life, and that the
(02:39):
decline of his life left him insufficient energy. There was, however,
an example in a foreign state where some wise counselors
who resigned and had retired into the far off mountains
when their country was in a disturbed state, came forth
from their retreat with their snow crowned heads and took
part in the administration of affairs. Or was it an
(03:00):
unusual thing for a statesman who had retired from political
scenes to assume again a place under another government. So
the ex sadai Jin did not persist in his refusal,
but finally accepted the post of Daijio Daijin, the premiere.
He was now sixty three years of age. His former
retirement had taken place more on account of his disgust
(03:23):
with the world than from his indisposition, and hence, when
he accepted his new post, he at once showed how
capable he was of being a responsible minister. Ton Chyujo,
his eldest son, was also made the gong Chiu Nagan.
His daughter by his wife, the fourth daughter of udai Jin,
(03:44):
was now twelve years old and was shortly expected to
be presented at court, while his son, who had sung
the high Sand at a summer day reunion at Genji's mansion,
received a title. The Young Genji too, the son of
the late Lady Ayo, was admitted to the court of
the Emperor and of the heir apparent. The attendants who
(04:05):
faithfully served the Young Genji and those in the mansion
at Nijo had all received a satisfactory token of appreciation
from Genji, who now began to have a mansion repaired,
which was situated to the east of the one in
which he resided and which had formerly belonged to his father.
This he did with a notion of placing there some
(04:25):
of his intimate friends, such as the younger one of
the ladies in the Villa of Fallen Flowers. Now the
young maiden, also whom Genji had left behind at Akashi
and who had been in delicate health, did not pass
away from his thoughts. He despatched a messenger there on
the first of March, as he deemed the happy event
(04:45):
would take place about that time. When the messenger returned,
he reported that she was safely delivered of a girl
on the sixteenth of the month. He remembered the prediction
of an astrologer who had told him that an emperor
would be born to him and another son who would
eventually become a dagio daijin. He also remembered that a
daughter who would be afterwards an empress would be also
(05:09):
born to him by a lady inferior to the mothers
of the other two children. When he reflected on this
prediction and on the series of events, he began thinking
of the remarkable coincidences they betrayed, and as he thought
of sending for her as soon as the condition of
the young mother's health would admit, he hurried forward the
repairs of the Eastern mansion. He also thought that, as
(05:32):
there might not be a suitable nurse at Akashi for
the child, he ought to send one from the capital. Fortunately,
there was a lady who had lately been delivered of
a child, her mother who had waited at court when
the late ex emperor lived, and her father, who had
been some time court chamberlain, were both dead. She was
(05:53):
now in miserable circumstances. Genji sounded her through a certain
channel whether she would not be willing to be useful
to him this offer on his part, she accepted without
much hesitation, and was dispatched with a confidential servant to
attend on a newborn child. He also sent with her
a sword and other presence. She left the capital in
(06:15):
a carriage and preceded by boat to the province of Setsu,
and thence on horseback to Akashi. When she arrived, the
priest was intensely delighted, and the young mother, who had
been gradually improving in health, felt great consolation. The child
was very healthy, and the nurse at once began to
discharge her duties most faithfully. Hitherto, Genji did not confide
(06:38):
the story of his relations with the maiden of Akashi
to Violet, but he thought he had better do so,
as the matter might naturally reach her ears. He now
therefore informed her of all the circumstances and of the
birth of the child, saying, if you feel any unpleasantness
about the matter, I cannot blame you in any way,
it was not the blessing which I desired. How greatly
(07:00):
do I regret that in the quarter where I wished
to see the heavenly gift there is none, but see
it in another where there was no expectation. The child
is merely a girl too, and I almost think that
I need pay no further attention. But this would make
me heartless towards my undoubted offspring. I shall send for
it and show it to you, and hope you will
(07:20):
be generous to her. Can you assure me you will
be so? As these words, Violet's face became red as crimson,
but she did not lose her temper and quietly replied
your saying, this only makes me contemptible to myself, as
I think my generosity may not yet be fully understood.
But I should like to know when and where I
(07:42):
could have learnt to be ungenerous. These words sound too
hard to me, said he. How can you be so
cruel to me? Pray, don't attribute any blame to me.
I never thought of it. How miserable I am. And
he began to drop tears when he came to reflect.
Half faithful she had been all the time, and how affectionate,
(08:02):
and how regular had been her correspondence. He felt sorry
for her, and continued, in my anxious thoughts about this child,
I have some intentions which may be agreeable to you also,
only I will not tell you too hastily, since if
I do so now, they might not be taken in
a favorable light. The attractions of the mother seem only
(08:23):
to have arisen from the position in which she was placed.
You must not think of the matter too seriously. He
then briefly sketched her character and her skill in music.
But on the part of Violet, she could not but
think that it was cruel to her to give away
part of his heart while her thoughts were with no
one but him, and she was quite cast down. For
(08:44):
some time. Gnji tried to console her. He took up
a kin and asked her to play and sing with him,
but she did not touch it, saying that she could
not play it so well as the maiden of Akashi.
This very manner of her mild jealousy made her more
captivating to him, and without further remarks, the subject was dropped.
(09:04):
The fifth of May was the fiftieth day of the
birth of the child, so Genji sent a messenger to
Akashi a few days before the time when he would
be expected at Akashi. The feast for the occasion was
arranged with great pains, and the arrival of Genji's messenger
was most opportune. Let us nar relate something about the
(09:24):
Princess Wistaria. Though she had become a nun, her title
of ex empress had never been lost, and now the
change in the reigning sovereign gave her fresh honors. She
had been recognized as equivalent to an empress regnant who
had abdicated. A liberal allowance was granted to her, and
a becoming household was established for her private use. She, however,
(09:47):
still continued her devotion to religion, now and then coming
to court to see her son, where she was received
with all cordiality, so that her rival, the mother of
the ex emperor, whose influence was overwhelmed till lately, now
began to feel like one to whom the world had
become irksome. In the meantime, public affairs entirely changed their aspects,
(10:09):
and the world deemed at this time to have been
divided between the Dagio Daijin and his son in law
Genji by whose influence all things in public weer suayed.
In August of this year, the daughter of gong Chiu
Nagan formerly to no Chyojo, was introduced at court. She
took up her abode in the Kokhaden, which had been
(10:31):
formerly occupied by her maternal aunt, and she was also
styled from this time the Nyogo of Kokaiten. Prince Yobkio,
had also the intention of introducing her second daughter at court,
but Genji took no interest in this. What will he
eventually do about this matter? In the same autumn, Genji
(10:51):
went to the temple of Sumiyoshi to fulfill his vows.
His party consisted of many young nobles and court retainers,
besides his own private attendants. By a coincidence, the maiden
of Akashi, who had been prevented from coming to the
temple since the last year, happened to arrive there on
the same day. Her party traveled in a boat, and
(11:12):
when it reached a beach, they saw the procession of
Genji's party crossing before them. They did not know what
procession it was and asked the bystanders about it, who
in return asked them sarcastically, can there be anyone who
does not know of the coming of Nadaijin. The prince
Genji here today to fulfill his vows. Most of the
(11:32):
nobles were on horseback with beautifully made saddles, and others,
including Ukon, Nodio, Yoshikio and kuramits in fine uniforms of
different colors blue, green or scarlet according to their different ranks,
formed the procession, contrasting with the hue of the range
of pine trees on both sides of the road. Genji
(11:54):
was in a carriage which was followed by ten boy
pages granted by the court. In the same way as
a late sadai Jin Kawara had been honored. They were
dressed in admirable taste, and their hair was twisted up
in the form of a double knot with ribbons of
gorgeous purple. The young Genji was also in the procession
on horseback and followed the carriage. The maiden of a
(12:16):
Kashi witnessed the procession, but she avoided making herself known.
She thought she had better not go up to the
temple on that day, but she could not sail back
to Akashi, so she had her boat moored in the
bay of Naniwa for the night. As to Genji, he
knew nothing of the maiden, being a spectator of the procession,
and spent the whole night in the temple with his
(12:36):
party in performing services which might please the god. It
was then that he was informed by Karamits that he
had seen the maiden of Akashi in a boat. On
the morrow, Genji and his party set off for their home.
As they proceeded, Genji hummed in mahata Onnaji, naniwa, nal,
(12:57):
et cetera, and he stopped one contemplating the bay. Kromits,
who stood beside him and divined what he was thinking about,
took out a small pen from his pocket and presented
it to Benji, who took it and wrote the following
on a piece of paper, which he sent to the
maiden by one of his attendants, who knew her whereabouts. Divinely,
(13:18):
led by Love's bright flame, to this lone temple shrine,
we come, and as yon beacon meets Aurai, to dream
per chance of days gone by a few words more,
the change of the ruler had brought a change of
the saigo, and the lady of Ruggiou with her daughter,
returned to the capital Her health, however, began to fail,
(13:41):
and she became a nun, and, after some time died.
Before her death, Genji visited her, and with her last breath,
she consigned her daughter to his care. Genji was thinking,
therefore of introducing her at court at some future time.
End of Section fifteen.
Section fifteen of Genji Monogotari by Murasaki Shikibu. This LibriVox
recording is in the public domain. Section fifteen Myo Sgushi
the Beacon Genji well remembered the dream which he had
dreamt at Suma, and in which his father, the late
ex Emperor, had made a faint allusion to his fallen state.
(00:24):
He was always thinking of having solemn service performed for him,
which might prove to be a remedy for evils. He
was now in the capital and at liberty to do
anything he wished. In October, therefore, he ordered the grand
Ceremony of Mihako to be performed for the repose of
the dead. Meanwhile, the respect of the public towards Genji
(00:47):
had now returned to its former state, and he himself
had become a distinguished personage in the capital. The Empress mother,
though indisposed, regretted she had not ruined Genji altogether, while
the Emperor, who had not forgotten the injunction of the
late ex Emperor, felt satisfied with his recent disposition towards
his half brother, which he believed to be an act
(01:09):
of goodness. This he felt the more because he noticed
the improvement in his health continued from day to day,
and he experienced a sensation of fresh vigor. He did not, however,
believe he should be long on the throne, and when
he found himself lonely, he often sent for Genji and
spent hours conversing with him without any reserve on public affairs.
(01:33):
In February of the next year, the ceremony of the
gembuk or of the heir Apparent, who was eleven years
of age, was performed. At the end of the same month,
the emperor abdicated the throne in favor of the heir apparent,
and his own son was made the heir apparent to
the new emperor. The suddenness of these changes struck the
empres's mother with surprise, but she was told by her
(01:55):
son that his abdication had been occasioned by his desire
to enjoy quiet and treose. The new reign opened with
several changes in public affairs. Genji had been made Naidaijin.
He filled this extra office of daijin because there was
no vacancy either in their sadaijin or the udaijin. He
(02:17):
was to take an active part in the administration, but
as he was not yet disposed to engage in the
busy cares of official life. The ex Sadaijin, his father
in law, was solicited to become the regent for the
young emperor. He at first declined to accept the office
on the ground that he was advanced in age, that
he had already retired from official life, and that the
(02:39):
decline of his life left him insufficient energy. There was, however,
an example in a foreign state where some wise counselors
who resigned and had retired into the far off mountains
when their country was in a disturbed state, came forth
from their retreat with their snow crowned heads and took
part in the administration of affairs. Or was it an
(03:00):
unusual thing for a statesman who had retired from political
scenes to assume again a place under another government. So
the ex sadai Jin did not persist in his refusal,
but finally accepted the post of Daijio Daijin, the premiere.
He was now sixty three years of age. His former
retirement had taken place more on account of his disgust
(03:23):
with the world than from his indisposition, and hence, when
he accepted his new post, he at once showed how
capable he was of being a responsible minister. Ton Chyujo,
his eldest son, was also made the gong Chiu Nagan.
His daughter by his wife, the fourth daughter of udai Jin,
(03:44):
was now twelve years old and was shortly expected to
be presented at court, while his son, who had sung
the high Sand at a summer day reunion at Genji's mansion,
received a title. The Young Genji too, the son of
the late Lady Ayo, was admitted to the court of
the Emperor and of the heir apparent. The attendants who
(04:05):
faithfully served the Young Genji and those in the mansion
at Nijo had all received a satisfactory token of appreciation
from Genji, who now began to have a mansion repaired,
which was situated to the east of the one in
which he resided and which had formerly belonged to his father.
This he did with a notion of placing there some
(04:25):
of his intimate friends, such as the younger one of
the ladies in the Villa of Fallen Flowers. Now the
young maiden, also whom Genji had left behind at Akashi
and who had been in delicate health, did not pass
away from his thoughts. He despatched a messenger there on
the first of March, as he deemed the happy event
(04:45):
would take place about that time. When the messenger returned,
he reported that she was safely delivered of a girl
on the sixteenth of the month. He remembered the prediction
of an astrologer who had told him that an emperor
would be born to him and another son who would
eventually become a dagio daijin. He also remembered that a
daughter who would be afterwards an empress would be also
(05:09):
born to him by a lady inferior to the mothers
of the other two children. When he reflected on this
prediction and on the series of events, he began thinking
of the remarkable coincidences they betrayed, and as he thought
of sending for her as soon as the condition of
the young mother's health would admit, he hurried forward the
repairs of the Eastern mansion. He also thought that, as
(05:32):
there might not be a suitable nurse at Akashi for
the child, he ought to send one from the capital. Fortunately,
there was a lady who had lately been delivered of
a child, her mother who had waited at court when
the late ex emperor lived, and her father, who had
been some time court chamberlain, were both dead. She was
(05:53):
now in miserable circumstances. Genji sounded her through a certain
channel whether she would not be willing to be useful
to him this offer on his part, she accepted without
much hesitation, and was dispatched with a confidential servant to
attend on a newborn child. He also sent with her
a sword and other presence. She left the capital in
(06:15):
a carriage and preceded by boat to the province of Setsu,
and thence on horseback to Akashi. When she arrived, the
priest was intensely delighted, and the young mother, who had
been gradually improving in health, felt great consolation. The child
was very healthy, and the nurse at once began to
discharge her duties most faithfully. Hitherto, Genji did not confide
(06:38):
the story of his relations with the maiden of Akashi
to Violet, but he thought he had better do so,
as the matter might naturally reach her ears. He now
therefore informed her of all the circumstances and of the
birth of the child, saying, if you feel any unpleasantness
about the matter, I cannot blame you in any way,
it was not the blessing which I desired. How greatly
(07:00):
do I regret that in the quarter where I wished
to see the heavenly gift there is none, but see
it in another where there was no expectation. The child
is merely a girl too, and I almost think that
I need pay no further attention. But this would make
me heartless towards my undoubted offspring. I shall send for
it and show it to you, and hope you will
(07:20):
be generous to her. Can you assure me you will
be so? As these words, Violet's face became red as crimson,
but she did not lose her temper and quietly replied
your saying, this only makes me contemptible to myself, as
I think my generosity may not yet be fully understood.
But I should like to know when and where I
(07:42):
could have learnt to be ungenerous. These words sound too
hard to me, said he. How can you be so
cruel to me? Pray, don't attribute any blame to me.
I never thought of it. How miserable I am. And
he began to drop tears when he came to reflect.
Half faithful she had been all the time, and how affectionate,
(08:02):
and how regular had been her correspondence. He felt sorry
for her, and continued, in my anxious thoughts about this child,
I have some intentions which may be agreeable to you also,
only I will not tell you too hastily, since if
I do so now, they might not be taken in
a favorable light. The attractions of the mother seem only
(08:23):
to have arisen from the position in which she was placed.
You must not think of the matter too seriously. He
then briefly sketched her character and her skill in music.
But on the part of Violet, she could not but
think that it was cruel to her to give away
part of his heart while her thoughts were with no
one but him, and she was quite cast down. For
(08:44):
some time. Gnji tried to console her. He took up
a kin and asked her to play and sing with him,
but she did not touch it, saying that she could
not play it so well as the maiden of Akashi.
This very manner of her mild jealousy made her more
captivating to him, and without further remarks, the subject was dropped.
(09:04):
The fifth of May was the fiftieth day of the
birth of the child, so Genji sent a messenger to
Akashi a few days before the time when he would
be expected at Akashi. The feast for the occasion was
arranged with great pains, and the arrival of Genji's messenger
was most opportune. Let us nar relate something about the
(09:24):
Princess Wistaria. Though she had become a nun, her title
of ex empress had never been lost, and now the
change in the reigning sovereign gave her fresh honors. She
had been recognized as equivalent to an empress regnant who
had abdicated. A liberal allowance was granted to her, and
a becoming household was established for her private use. She, however,
(09:47):
still continued her devotion to religion, now and then coming
to court to see her son, where she was received
with all cordiality, so that her rival, the mother of
the ex emperor, whose influence was overwhelmed till lately, now
began to feel like one to whom the world had
become irksome. In the meantime, public affairs entirely changed their aspects,
(10:09):
and the world deemed at this time to have been
divided between the Dagio Daijin and his son in law
Genji by whose influence all things in public weer suayed.
In August of this year, the daughter of gong Chiu
Nagan formerly to no Chyojo, was introduced at court. She
took up her abode in the Kokhaden, which had been
(10:31):
formerly occupied by her maternal aunt, and she was also
styled from this time the Nyogo of Kokaiten. Prince Yobkio,
had also the intention of introducing her second daughter at court,
but Genji took no interest in this. What will he
eventually do about this matter? In the same autumn, Genji
(10:51):
went to the temple of Sumiyoshi to fulfill his vows.
His party consisted of many young nobles and court retainers,
besides his own private attendants. By a coincidence, the maiden
of Akashi, who had been prevented from coming to the
temple since the last year, happened to arrive there on
the same day. Her party traveled in a boat, and
(11:12):
when it reached a beach, they saw the procession of
Genji's party crossing before them. They did not know what
procession it was and asked the bystanders about it, who
in return asked them sarcastically, can there be anyone who
does not know of the coming of Nadaijin. The prince
Genji here today to fulfill his vows. Most of the
(11:32):
nobles were on horseback with beautifully made saddles, and others,
including Ukon, Nodio, Yoshikio and kuramits in fine uniforms of
different colors blue, green or scarlet according to their different ranks,
formed the procession, contrasting with the hue of the range
of pine trees on both sides of the road. Genji
(11:54):
was in a carriage which was followed by ten boy
pages granted by the court. In the same way as
a late sadai Jin Kawara had been honored. They were
dressed in admirable taste, and their hair was twisted up
in the form of a double knot with ribbons of
gorgeous purple. The young Genji was also in the procession
on horseback and followed the carriage. The maiden of a
(12:16):
Kashi witnessed the procession, but she avoided making herself known.
She thought she had better not go up to the
temple on that day, but she could not sail back
to Akashi, so she had her boat moored in the
bay of Naniwa for the night. As to Genji, he
knew nothing of the maiden, being a spectator of the procession,
and spent the whole night in the temple with his
(12:36):
party in performing services which might please the god. It
was then that he was informed by Karamits that he
had seen the maiden of Akashi in a boat. On
the morrow, Genji and his party set off for their home.
As they proceeded, Genji hummed in mahata Onnaji, naniwa, nal,
(12:57):
et cetera, and he stopped one contemplating the bay. Kromits,
who stood beside him and divined what he was thinking about,
took out a small pen from his pocket and presented
it to Benji, who took it and wrote the following
on a piece of paper, which he sent to the
maiden by one of his attendants, who knew her whereabouts. Divinely,
(13:18):
led by Love's bright flame, to this lone temple shrine,
we come, and as yon beacon meets Aurai, to dream
per chance of days gone by a few words more,
the change of the ruler had brought a change of
the saigo, and the lady of Ruggiou with her daughter,
returned to the capital Her health, however, began to fail,
(13:41):
and she became a nun, and, after some time died.
Before her death, Genji visited her, and with her last breath,
she consigned her daughter to his care. Genji was thinking,
therefore of introducing her at court at some future time.
End of Section fifteen.
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