The Tale of Genji: 32 – Umegae

After the dramatic events of our recent visits to Heian-kyō, in which we found out Tamakazura’s fate and explored the fall-out on those around her and her new husband, today’s leg of our chapter-by-chapter cruise through The Tale of Genji is a rather more sedate affair. However, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing of interest to be found, and those with a passion for Japanese traditions will be especially happy. Come with me, then, as we get ready for a milestone celebration, and return to a couple of plotlines that have been neglected during the Tamakazura saga – it’s incense time ***** Chapter 32, ‘Umegae’ (‘The Plum Tree Branch’ in Royall Tyler’s translation) marks a bit of a change of pace after the dramas surrounding Tamakazura’s rape marriage, and we begin with Genji preparing for an altogether happier event. Would you believe that his only daughter, the Akashi Princess, is eleven? That means it’s high time for her ‘donning of the train’ ceremony, which marks the end of her…