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Gossip is as thick as the seaweed the fishermen gather.

Chapter 7 (part 5) - Genji was surprised that such an old woman (age 60) could be so flirty. Genji was intrigued by her coquettishness. They exchanged fans as was the custom. Her fan included a line from a poem that makes Genji think she has some bizarre proclivities. She was the kind of woman who wanted to have an affair with someone like Genji. She still burns with amorous passions of youth.

Chapter 7 (part 4) - Seeing the beautiful child, the emperor is sadden that he had to remove Genji from the line of succession. But he is pleased that his own wife had given him a son of equal beauty to Genji. He gave no thought to the fact that Genji and the child looked so very similar.

Chapter 7 (part 3) - The Emperors wife (Genji’s stepmother) finally gave birth to her child. Genji wanted to see the child to confirm that the baby was his. She refused him because the child bore such a startling likeness to Genji. The baby was taken to the palace in his fourth month. The Emperor did not suspect that Genji was the child’s true father.

Chapter 7 (part 2) - The peasants watched the dance from a nearby hill and wept to see Genji’s ethereal beauty.

Genji’s wife, at 22 , she was four years older than Genji and in her full bloom of youth and beauty. Genji never felt comfortable around his wife as she was cold and reserved. She was aware that he had set up another woman of great value at his villa, but she did not let on that she knew.

Chapter 7 (part 1) - An Imperial Celebration of Autumn Foliage on the tenth day of the tenth month. Genji’s performance of the ceremonial dance was correct, but so far advanced that the Emperor had the music start again so that he could have it performed a second time. Genji’s beauty was so exceptional that his half brother, the crown Prince, a known beauty himself, looked very plain next to him in the dance.

Chapter 6 (part 3) - The white desolate stretched into the distance invoking an intensely lonely atmosphere. The light reflected off the snow made him look even more handsome and youthful. Her nose was so hideous he couldn’t take his eyes off it. A real horse face. He now regretted his curiosity. Genji is speechless. She is dressed poorly in an old fashioned style. She write him a poem that is shockingly bad.

Chapter 6 (part 2) - He brooded over the fact that his relations with women never quite satisfied him. She thought, “Young men like Genji never think of anything but themselves.” The snow begins to fall and pile up. There are no servants to relit the lanterns when the wind blows them out.

Chapter 6 (part 1) - Genji learns of a woman who might be his ideal mate. She plays the 7-string koto and Genji arranges to hear her play without her knowing he is there. Genji writes the Princess a letter. She is unresponsive and keeps her feelings hidden. Genji thinks “awkward is your silent response.” He thinks, “How touching that there are still such artless innocent ladies.”

As usual, his wife see no reason why she should see him. Genji sings a song. The lyrics of the song mock his wife’s sullen behavior.

Chapter 5 (part 2) - Genji is upset that his ideal woman is forbidden to him. She is 3 months pregnant, but only she knows in her heart of hearts how it has happened. The diviner tells Genji that he will become the father of an Emperor. When he learns that she is pregnant, he realizes that his fortune will become true. The nun, Genji’s former nurse, dies. Genji takes an interest in the nun’s granddaughter.

Chapter 5 (part 1) - Genji’s fever persists and he requests that an ancient Aesthetic come to treat him. The Aesthetic is too old to travel and, therefore, Genji disguises himself and goes to the man. Genji passes through a wild countryside he has never seen before and is fascinated by what he sees. Genji takes his treatment. Genji learns that a Bishop is living nearby.

“Even as he was still recovering from illness Genji’s looks were so extraordinary that they could take their eyes off of him.”

“A woman becomes an adult when she has a husband to look after her.”

Umm… OK. 🤔

Chapter 4 (part 2) - Genji calls for a holy man to drive away the evil spirit and bring the woman back to life. It is too late; the body has begun to putrefy. Genji and the priest agree to move the body for secret burial and to cover up her death. Genji is depressed and thinks he might also die. He sees a cloud and thinks it is composed of the ashes of his lost love.

Chapter 4 (part 1) - Genji goes to visit his old nurse who has taken holy orders and is now a nun. Genji thinks upon his lover from chapter 2 and cannot understand why she has forsworn him. Genji takes a new lover to a secret location. Genji declares that his love for her is as strong and endless as a river. Genji is visited by a spirit in his sleep. Genji awakes to find his lover is dying. She dies.