The Tale of Genji: The Day Lady Aoi and Hikaru Genji Became Close
This is a series where we read The Tale of Genji in the original language; this time, we are covering the 'Aoi' chapter.
Lady Aoi is Hikaru Genji's legal wife and a woman of noble birth, being the daughter of the Minister of the Left.
The two were married when Hikaru Genji was 12 and Lady Aoi was 16. It was a political marriage decided by their parents.
The 'Aoi' chapter is where the relationship between the couple, which had been distant for many years, changes significantly.
After a difficult labor, Lady Aoi gives birth to a boy (Yugiri), but during the autumn Tsukameshi (official appointment ceremony), when there are few people in the mansion, she is struck by a sudden seizure and passes away. With Lady Aoi's death occurring just as their hearts were finally beginning to open to one another, Genji regrets his past lack of affection and observes a quiet mourning period for forty-nine days at the Minister of the Left's mansion, sinking into grief.
When people think of the 'Aoi' chapter, I believe the carriage dispute with Lady Rokujo and the scene where she is possessed by a living spirit are the most famous parts,
but what I love is the scene where Hikaru Genji and Lady Aoi first connect emotionally.
Lady Aoi's appearance after childbirth
The sight of this truly beautiful lady, now so weakened and frail that she barely seems to be among the living as she lies there, is truly endearing and heart-wrenching.
The way her hair lies scattered across the pillow without a single strand out of place is so beautiful it seems almost otherworldly, and Genji finds himself staring at her, wondering in bewilderment why he had ever thought there was anything lacking in her all these years.
Translation
The sight of this truly beautiful lady, now so weakened and frail that she barely seems to be among the living as she lies there, is truly endearing and heart-wrenching.
The way her hair lies scattered across the pillow without a single strand out of place is so beautiful it seems almost otherworldly, and Genji finds himself staring at her, wondering in bewilderment why he had ever thought there was anything lacking in her all these years.
Lady Aoi watching Hikaru Genji leave for work
She lies there watching him with more attention than usual as he departs, dressed in truly magnificent attire.
Translation
(Genji) departs dressed in truly magnificent attire, and the lady, unlike usual, lies there watching him intently as he leaves.
Hikaru Genji feels a different kind of loveliness in the weakened Lady Aoi and reevaluates her beauty, while
Lady Aoi watches Hikaru Genji leave with a look of lingering attachment.
It is a scene where affection for one another is felt for the first time.
By the way, the adjective 'routashi' (endearing/lovely) is used here to describe Lady Aoi's beauty, which is a rare expression for her.
Until now, Lady Aoi had been described using the word 'uruwashi' (refined/proper).
In the 'Hahakigi' chapter, the day after the 'Rainy Night Discussion,' Hikaru Genji heads to Lady Aoi's quarters.
Her overly 'uruwashi' (refined) appearance, which was so stiff and intimidating that it made him feel uncomfortable,
Translation
Her overly refined appearance, which was so stiff and intimidating that it made him feel uncomfortable,
It is certainly a description that conveys beauty, but also an atmosphere of being unapproachable.
Both are adjectives that describe beauty, but their nuances are subtly different.
'Routashi'
Adorable. Dear. Endearing. Lovely.
'Uruwashi'
Proper. Well-ordered and beautiful. Serious and polite.
Perhaps because she was older, I had felt a sense of distance from her for many years, but I think that changed to affection when she showed her vulnerability for the first time after giving birth.
In fact, there is a scene where the ladies-in-waiting are impressed by the way Hikaru Genji gives Lady Aoi her medicine.
It is interesting how these changes in emotion are expressed through adjectives used for the other person.
I would probably just describe everything as 'cute,' so I really felt the high level of Murasaki Shikibu's expressive power.
And as for Lady Aoi, no sooner had she connected with Genji than she passed away quite suddenly.
It was a short final moment, but I am glad she was able to become a true wife to Hikaru Genji.
I suspect Lady Aoi had loved Hikaru Genji all along, but simply did not know how to approach him.
As a noble princess and the daughter of a Minister, her proper behavior is surely proof of her good upbringing.
I think that if Hikaru Genji had been a bit more mature and broad-minded, their relationship might have been different.
I felt a very human charm in that conflict and awkwardness.
Lady Aoi is a character I have come to love after re-reading this.
I hope to see you in the next article!
Please also check this out for more on The Tale of Genji.