27. The Flares / Flares(篝火)
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Passage
"They burn, these flares and my heart, and send off smoke. The smoke from my heart refuses to be dispersed."
A poem sent by Genji to Tamakazura.Translation of the Seidensticker.
In The Tale of Genji, there are many poems that use complicated metaphors. But this poem expresses his passion directly.
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Summary
In autumn, Genji and Tamakazura are talking about her real father(the minister). At night, a flare lights up in their garden. Genji expresses his feelings in poetry.
Before long, the minister's son comes to Genji's mansion and plays the koto.
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Comment
"10 chapters of Tamakazura(chapter22-31)" describe the scenery and events of the four seasons."Butterflies" is spring,"Glow-Worm" is summer, and This Chapter is Autumn.There is a pleasure to catch a glimpse of the life of the nobility.