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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10. The Sacred Tree / The Sacred Tree(賢木)

genji meets rokujo
伝土佐光元筆『源氏物語図扇面』(東京国立博物館所蔵)「ColBase」収録(https://jpsearch.go.jp/item/cobas-166394)

Passage

...he regretted that while Rokujo was at the Palace-in-the-Fields he had not made a constant practice of visiting her. They came at last to a group of very temporary-looking wooden huts surrounded by a flimsy brushwood fence.

Vestal Virgins were chosen from the royal family.She need to abstinence in shrine for purification. A shrine built in a field were called "Palace-in-the-Fields".

palace in the fields
The Metropolitan Museum of Art,Case (Inrō) with Design of "Nonomiya" (Shrine in the Fields), from The Tale of Genji, chapter 10 (obverse); Seven Autumn Flowers Growing beside a Torii and Fence, based on "Sakaki," a Chapter from The Tale of Genji (reverse)

Summary

After Aoi's death, Rokujo and Genji were estranged. Rokujo's daughter (Akikonomu) is chosen as Vestal Virgin, and goes to Ise. Rokujo also accompanies her daughter. Before departure, Genji goes to see her.

Soon after, the emperor falls. Genji approaches Fujitsubo, but Fujitsubo rejects him and becomes a nun.

Genji's scandal with Oborozukiyo becomes known to Lady Kokiden. Kokiden gets angry and tries to remove Genji from the court.

anniversary
Harvard Art Museums,The Green Branch (Sakaki), Illustration to Chapter 10 of the Tale of Genji (Genji monogatari),Tosa Mitsunobu,Muromachi period

Comment

Rokujo and Fujitsubo leave Genji.Genji chases the two, but he can't stop them. Rokujo and Fujitsubo regretted their sins, and prayed for the salvation of their souls.

And Genji faces a crisis.

anniversary
the first anniversary of emperor's death.The Metropolitan Museum of Art,“A Branch of Sacred Evergreen” (Sakaki), from the Phantom Genji Scrolls (Maboroshi no Genji monogatari emaki),mid-17th century

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)