Shining Genji

In The Tale of Genji, the main character, known as Shining Genji, is no more than seventeen when, in the second chapter, he has a chance tryst with the young wife of the Deputy Governor of Iyo. Ostensibly horrified at his advances, she nonetheless yields to him, while tearfully insisting that the gu...

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Published inManoa (Honolulu, Hawaii. 1989) Vol. 29; no. 2; p. 87
Main Author DE WOLF, CHARLES
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Honolulu University of Hawaiʻi Press 01.01.2017
University of Hawai'i Press
University of Hawaii Press
Subjects
11th century
Asian literature
De Wolf, Charles
Literary criticism
Short stories
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Summary:In The Tale of Genji, the main character, known as Shining Genji, is no more than seventeen when, in the second chapter, he has a chance tryst with the young wife of the Deputy Governor of Iyo. Ostensibly horrified at his advances, she nonetheless yields to him, while tearfully insisting that the gulf in social rank (he is, after all, a son of the reigning emperor) renders impossible any enduring relationship. She then avoids further meetings by hiding herself away. Genji composes a verse likening her to the mythological broom tree (hahakigi) on the moors of Sonohara, which, on being approached, recedes into the distance. Nonetheless, undeterred, Genji pursues her, utilizing her younger brother-also his page-as his go-between. At the end of the third chapter, again foiled, he compares his elusive prey to the shell left behind by a molting cicada.
ISSN:1045-7909
1527-943X
1527-943X
DOI:10.1353/man.2017.0026