54. The Bridge of Dreams / The Floating Bridge of Dreams(夢浮橋)
Passage
“I regard the step you have taken as utterly unjustifiable from every point of view,” the letter ran. “But respect for Sozu prevents my saying any more on that subject. Naturally I long to hear from your own lips the whole story of those last terrible days. But I know in my own heart that it would be wrong for us to meet now. And if I blame myself for desiring it, how much the more would others blame me.” Here the letter broke off. “By what false path through hills I had not thought again to tread have your Truths led me on, O Master of the Law!” Such was the poem that followed.
A letter from Kaoru. Ukifune has become a nun. but, the secular world, love, continues to pursue her.
Summary
Kaoru goes to Yogawa to see Sozu. After talking with Sozu, Kaoru is convinced that the woman Sozu takes care of must be Ukifune. And that very night, he heads from Yogawa to Ono's hermitage.
The next day, Kaoru sends Ukifune's younger brother to the hermitage as a messenger. Ukifune reads Kaoru's letter but does not meet the younger brother of the messenger, nor does she reply to the letter. The messenger, disappointed, returns to Kaoru.
Comment
Vague memories and a gentle rejection. That is the ending of The Tale of Genji. When I first read this ending, I felt unsatisfied. It seemed as if there was more to come. But now I understand. This is the best ending.
Murasaki Shikibu, in her pursuit of happiness as a woman of her time and as a human being, arrived at this rejection. and she said, 'There is nothing to say.'That is what I believe.