Chapter VII: Young Love, Old Traditions

Now back to Genji.

On the plane I re-read Chapter One, known as "Kiritsubo." This chapter is one of the longest in the book, and covers more time than any other: Genji's first twelve years. It is called "Kiritsubo" because that refers to the section of the house where Genji's mother lived -- the last room at the far end of the palace.

By age twelve, Genji has already gained the attention of the Heian court, and, against his young wishes, has been married to his first wife, Aoi, which means "blue" in Japanese.

In this chapter, Murasaki Shikibu reamarks on the history of Genji's father, who, like Genji, is in a social situation that expects him to have many wives and concubines. Due to the same social position, however, he is not permitted to be with his true love, Genji's mother, as she comes from a much lower rank in society. (Thus being forced to live at the end of the hall.)

To think that almost 600 years prior to Shakespeare writting "Romeo and Juliet," an author like Shikibu was already trying to expose the pain people experience from not being able to be with the people they love. For me, this is quiet remarkable.

It makes you wonder if things like that still happen today.

YOUR TASK:

1) Regarding marriage, think about the world around you. How is it different from Genji's situation? How is it the same?

2) What do you predict will happen between Genji and his new wife? Do you agree or disagree with arranged marriages? Why do you think in many Asian societies this form of marriage is still practiced today? Why do you think it was considered important for Genji to marry at such a young age?

3) The woman in the image above is Kiritsubo, Genji's mother. Notice how she has her back turned to us. Why do you think the illustrator chose to depict her like this? What feelings could be going through her heart and mind?

Chapter VI: A Journey to Remember

Arms stretched, the plane waits
to carry us above the
hot, gray summer skys
While others stand on hurried
lines, clutching vivid passports

Russell Wasden
In-flight over the Pacific Ocean

So I arrived, and, thinking back to my own beloved NYC, immediately began to marvel at the beauty of Tokyo: clean streets, speedy subways, and of course, some of the kindest, most generous people on earth. For example, getting to Tokyo was easy; I managed to get from my house in Manhattan without incident. However, once here, I was unsure of how to get to my hotel. A patient but determined taxi driver spent 30 minutes with me, dodging hot ramen delivery bikes and speeding down one crooked, neon filled alleyway after the next, until we had found our destination. Once there, he charged me for only one zone -- the same, basically, as travelling down one street block. I argued with him, but he refused to take more, saying he should have known this arguably obscure address from the beginning.

Something tells me that the world would be a better place if more people were like him.