54Chapeters of
The Tale of Genji

It is written by Murasaki Shikibu(Lady Murasaki) in the 11th century.I will introduce 54Chapters and Related Arts and Crafts.

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7. The Festival of Red Leaves / An Autumn Excursion(紅葉賀)

October 10, 2022 by Shiba

dance of blue wave
Los Angeles County Museum of Art,Performing the Dance of the Blue Wave, from the Tale of Genji,Yashima Gakutei,1819

Passage

Prince Genji danced the “Waves of the Blue Sea.”

“Waves of the Blue Sea.” is the name of the song and the dance. The dance is performed by two dancers waving their sleeves. The synchronized movements are elegant.

dance of blue wave
梅戸在親筆『源氏若菜上紅葉賀図屏風』（東京国立博物館所蔵）「ColBase」収録(https://jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-38522)

Summary

The emperor plans a ceremony to late emperor's 50th birthday. The nobles are busy preparing for the ceremony. The Genji was chosen as a dancer.

Fujitsubo cannot see the ceremony. Therefore, the emperor plans a large-scale rehearsal for Fujitsubo. But, Fujitsubo felt guilty in her hearts. She was pregnant with Genji's child, not the emperor's.The emperor is ignorant of the fact.

Rehearsal begins. People in the court admire Genji's beautiful dance. Lady Kokiden, who views Genji as an enemy, speaks sarcastically and is reprimanded by everyone.

Next year, Fujitsubo gave birth to a baby. The baby looked like Genji.

dance of blue wave
仁清、｢仁清｣印 『色絵紅葉賀図茶碗』（東京国立博物館所蔵）「ColBase」収録(https://jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-80863)

Comment

A political opponent appears before Genji. Lady Kokiden is the empress of the late emperor. she used to have a lot of power in the court. But, after the emperor loved Kiritsubo and Fujitsubo, Kokiden lost her power. Out of jealousy,Kokiden bullied Kiritsubo . and she also hates Genji.

About

I live in Kyoto.Introduce Japanese literature with the help of Google Translate.please excuse my english.

54Chapters

  1. 1. Kiritsubo / The Paulownia Court(桐壺)
  2. 2. The Broom-Tree / The Broom Tree(帚木)
  3. 3. Utsusemi / The Shell of the Locust(空蝉)
  4. 4. Yugao / Evening Faces(夕顔)
  5. 5. Murasaki / Lavender(若紫)
  6. 6. The Saffron-Flower / The Safflower(末摘花)
  7. 7. The Festival of Red Leaves / An Autumn Excursion(紅葉賀)
  8. 8. The Flower Feast / The Festival of the Cherry Blossoms(花宴)
  9. 9. Aoi / Heartvine(葵)
  10. 10. The Sacred Tree / The Sacred Tree(賢木)
  11. 11. The Village of Falling Flowers / The Orange Blossoms(花散里)
  12. 12. Exile at Suma / Suma(須磨)
  13. 13. Akashi / Akashi(明石)
  14. 14. The Flood Gauge / Channel Buoys(澪標)
  15. 15. The Palace in the Tangled Woods / The Wormwood Patch(蓬生)
  16. 16. A Meeting at the Frontier / The Gatehouse(関屋)
  17. 17. The Picture Competition / A Picture Contest(絵合)
  18. 18. The Wind in the Pine-Trees / The Wind in the Pines(松風)
  19. 19. A Wreath of Cloud / A Rack of Cloud(薄雲)
  20. 20. Asagao / The Morning Glory(朝顔)
  21. 21. The Maiden / The Maiden(少女)
  22. 22. Tamakatsura / The Jeweled Chaplet(玉鬘)
  23. 23. The First Song of the Year / The First Warbler(初音)
  24. 24. The Butterflies / Butterflies(胡蝶)
  25. 25. The Glow-Worm / Fireflies(蛍)
  26. 26. A Bed of Carnations / Wild Carnations(常夏)
  27. 27. The Flares / Flares(篝火)
  28. 28. The Typhoon / The Typhoon(野分)
  29. 29. The Royal Visit / The Royal Outing(行幸)
  30. 30. Blue Trousers / Purple Trousers(藤袴)
  31. 31. Makibashira / The Cypress Pillar(真木柱)
  32. 32. The Spray of Plum-Blossoms / A Branch of Plum(梅枝)
  33. 33. Fuji No Uraba / Wisteria Leaves(藤裏葉)
  34. 34. Wakana, Part I / New Herbs: Part One(若菜上)
  35. 35. Wakana, Part II / New Herbs: Part Two(若菜下)
  36. 36. Kashiwagi / The Oak Tree(柏木)
  37. 37. The Flute / The Flute(横笛)
  38. 38. (no title)/ The Bell Cricket(鈴虫)
  39. 39. Yugiri / Evening Mist(夕霧)
  40. 40. The Law / The Rites(御法)
  41. 41. Mirage / The Wizard(幻)
  42. Kumogakure / Vanished into the Clouds(雲隠)
  43. 42. Niou / His Perfumed Highness(匂宮)
  44. 43. Kobai / The Rose Plum(紅梅)
  45. 44. Bamboo River / Bamboo River(竹河)
  46. 45. The Bridge Maiden / The Lady at the Bridge(橋姫)
  47. 46. At the foot of the Oak-Tree / Beneath the Oak(椎本)
  48. 47. Agemaki / Trefoil Knots(総角)
  49. 48. Fern-Shoots / Early Ferns(早蕨)
  50. 49. The Mistletoe / The Ivy(宿木)
  51. 50. The Eastern House / The Eastern Cottage(東屋)
  52. 51. Ukifune / A Boat upon the Waters(浮舟)
  53. 52. The Gossamer-Fly / The Drake Fly(蜻蛉)
  54. 53. Writing-Practice / At Writing Practice(手習)
  55. 54. The Bridge of Dreams / The Floating Bridge of Dreams(夢浮橋)