12. Exile at Suma / Suma(須磨)
Passage
At Suma autumn had set in with a vengeance. The little house stood some way back from the sea; but when in sudden gusts the wind came “blowing through the gap” (the very wind of Yukihira’s poem) it seemed as though the waves were at Genji’s door.
Suma is a fishing village about 100km away from Kyoto. Long ago, an aristocrat named Ariwara Yukihira drifted. Genji exile to such a historic land.
Summary
Genji was disqualified of his official post. Feeling political danger, he leaves Kyoto. He says goodbye to women he loves.
Genji arrives in Suma. In Akashi, next to Suma, the old recluse hears Genji's arrival.
Comment
The old recluse of Akashi first appeared in chapter2. When he heard Genji's arrival, he thought his long prayers had been answered by God.
On the other hand, Genji has a strange dream.
a vague and shadowy figure who said: “I have come from the Palace to fetch you. Why do you not follow me?”
Suma and Akashi, dream and reality continue seamlessly. like the biographies of saints.