The Tale of Genji: Chapters 1 to 4

Whether or not it’s a book that you would read, the Tale of Genji is a fascinating proposition. An epic tale from 11th century Japan, long before printing presses, that survives to this day.

I came across a beautiful edition in near perfect condition in a charity shop a couple of years ago and I had to bring it home. I am afraid to say it has been acquiring dust ever since. It could be wonderful, but its sheer size and length is intimidating.

So when I found that Matthew at A Guy’s Moleskine Notebook was hosting a read-along it seemed like it was time to pick up my neglected tome.

An intial scan suggested that the book could be very readable, but that it would have a broad scope and a big cast to keep track of. I would definitely need notes to keep track. So here goes:

Chapter 1

 A Japanese emperor falls in love with a woman of lower rank and she bears him a son – Genji. He, like his mother, becomes his father’s favourite and this causes much jealousy in the court – particularly from Kokiden, the mother of the crown prince. This troubles Genji’s mother, and she withdraws from court, taking her son with her. A few years later she dies. The emperor is grief stricken and brings Genji back to court. He would like to make Genji crown prince, but he realises that it would probably be unwise and so instead he gives Genji the status of a commoner. Some time later the emperor meets Fujitsubo, a woman with an extraordinary resemblance to Genji’s mother. Both he and Genji are drawn to her. But Genji is a commoner and he is manoeuvred into marriage with Aoi, the daughter of the Minister of the Left. Neither is happy but the marriage goes ahead.

Lovely writing and an interesting start. Many of the plot elements are familiar from more modern novels, but that does illuminate the fact that this is set in a very different culture. Much is made of Genji’s beauty and there are many intimations that he is destined for greatness. A lot of ground is covered and it is difficult to tell what characters are going to be important, but things do seem to be set up very nicely.

Chapter 2

Genji is living in his father-in-law’s household, but it is clear that he has little to do with his wife but he has liaisons with many other women. The early part of the chapter is taken up by a discussion between Genji, his bother-in-law To no Chujo and two others about the qualities of women. Many tales are told but few conclusions are reached. The next day Genji accepts the offer of a position with the Governor of Kii. Once there he is drawn to Utsusemi, the governor’s wife and swiftly recruits her brother to help his cause. Utusemi enjoys the attention but, not wising to dishonour her husband, resists Genji’s advances.

This chapter does a lot more than the first to establish characters than the first, but it is hard to see where the story is going. Are any of these people going to be important I wonder, or are we just going through the full course of Genji’s life and establishing his character?

Chapter 3

It seems that finally Utusemi’s brother has finally succeeded in arranging a liaison between Genji and his sister. But Genji finds himself with the wrong woman. She is happy with the liaison and Genji does not want to lose face. But ultimately Genji decides that he has failed too many times and moves on. He is much missed.

The story continues… Entertaining reading and I’m enjoying all of the cultural details, but I’m also wondering just where this is going.

Chapter 4

Genji goes to visit, Koremitsu, the nurse who looked after him when he was growing up. During his visit he notices Yugao, a girl who lives in a house nearby and makes enquiries about her. He also begins a romance with a lady living in the palace of Rokujo, but soon loses interest. He turns his attentions back to Yugao and soon spirits her away to a rundown own palace, accompanied only by Ukon, her lifelong attendant. The relationship blossoms. But one night Genji dreams of the Rokujo lady and wakes to find that Yugao is not breathing. Genji is deeply saddened, and , after returning to his palace with Ukon for the funeral rites, he falls ill from grief and is bedridden for three days. As he recovers, Genji sends messages to his former loves and begins to take an interest in life again.

Now this is more interesting. Genji is gaining some depth and and I’m getting more confident that there may be more elements coming up to balance out the may liasons.  I’m just about keeping track of the characters but I’m not sure I’m quite up to speed with the society and the setting and I’m sure I’m missing some of the finer points. This is definitely  a book of character study  before plot, but it is working very well and I am looking forward to next week’s 4 chapters.