The Tale of Genji: 26 – Tokonatsu

After an extended visit to the Rokujō Estate over the past few posts, today’s recap will see us venturing up the road, but only once we’ve checked in with Genji and Tamakazura again. There’s a new girl in town, making this a tale of two sisters, but as you’ll see, they’re very different young women. In addition, we’re reminded of the long-standing rivalry between the Shining One and his former BFF, but once again, no matter what happens, everything seems to go Genji’s way – let’s find out how… ***** In Chapter 26, ‘Tokonatsu’ (‘Wild Pinks’ in the Dennis Washburn translation), it’s a hot summer’s day, and Genji is relaxing under the cover of his fishing pavilion with his son, Yūgiri, and some of the sons of his old frenemy, Tō-no-Chūjō. This scene of the men hanging out at the water’s edge is the one chosen to represent the chapter in The Tale of Genji Album, and as they nibble on fish and chilled rice in an attempt to beat the heat, Melissa McCormick makes an astute observation as to…