The Tale of Genji: 30 – Fujibakama

Today’s episode of our chapter-by-chapter meander through The Tale of Genji brings us closer to the end of Tamakazura’s story, with the young woman’s fate ever nearer to being settled. However, the Shining One’s young ward isn’t the only member of the next generation to be in the spotlight in this chapter. You see, Genji’s son is growing up rapidly, and having seen the way his father acts around women, it’s unsurprising that he’s picked up a few of his old man’s tricks. Let’s pay a visit to the Rokujō Estate, then, and see just what it is that young Yūgiri’s getting up to… ***** Chapter 30, ‘Fujibakama’ (‘Mistflowers’ in the translation of Dennis Washburn) is another fairly short chapter set mainly at the Shining One’s expansive home. Poor Tamakazura is still worried about her future, despite (or perhaps because of) the pressure from Genji and Tō-no-Chūjō to accept a position at court, knowing that the move brings risks as well as rewards (in Washburn’s words): She knew that she could…