27. The Flares / Flares(篝火)
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.
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.
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.