The Tale of Genji: A Textual Comparison, Volume 7 - Kashiwagi/Yokobue/Suzumushi/Yugiri/Goho/Maboroshi

Returning to the origins of the narrative literature of The Tale of Genji. Faithful to the text yet easy to read. The ultimate modern translation! The seventh volume, Kashiwagi to Maboroshi, covers events from New Year's, when Genji is 48, to the end of the year, when he is 52. After giving birth to Kaoru, the illegitimate child of Kashiwagi, the Third Princess enters the world of nuns, despite Genji's warnings. Kashiwagi confides his secret to Yugiri and entrusts the care of Ochiba no Miya to her before passing away. Yugiri subsequently welcomes Ochiba no Miya into his life, but his wife, Kumoi no Kari, is intensely jealous. Murasaki no Ue has long desired to become a nun, but Genji refuses to allow her, and she ultimately ends her life. Genji then exits the story in deep sorrow, wishing to become a monk. The essay at the end of the volume introduces numerous imitations of The Tale of Genji. Since its creation, readers have often used their imagination to fill in parts not depicted in the story or added parts that they felt were lacking or unsatisfying in the development of each volume. These volumes are called "imitation volumes," and were the work of enthusiastic readers, similar to what we now call "secondary creations.