My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class.”. The Akashi coast is gorgeous and Genji is secretly interested in the Akashi Lady. The original manuscript, created around the peak of the Heian period, no longer exists. Genji forces himself on the lady and later, confesses his affair to Murasaki. Hours later, a boat from the former governor arrives to tell Genji that he'd received signs from above to set sail in the storm. He thenasks after the young woman who lives in a house near the nunnery, and who is later called Yugao. Genji's position at court is pilgrimage to the Sumiyoshi Shrine to give Unlike ignorance when the situation requires. his brother-in-law To-no-Chujo meet at Genji's palace and compare notes about women. When Genji turns twelve, he goes through the initiation ceremonies to become an adult. Genji’s tumultuous affairs also provide readers with pointed looks at gender relations in Heian, Japan. Genji cannot resist, so he The work is a unique depiction of the lifestyles of high courtiersduring the Heian period. Genji splits his time between his wife and the Rokujō Lady, who fears that her spirit is the one possessing Aoi. Symbols & Motifs. To-no-Chujo and Genji tries to visit Fujitsubo and have sex with her again, but she fights him off. The lady Kokiden is the Emperors oldest wife and mother of his oldest son and she is the daughter of the Minister of the Right. At its most basic, The Tale of Genji is an absorbing introduction to the culture of the aristocracy in early Heian Japan—its forms of entertainment, its manner of dress, its daily life, and its moral code. A Korean sage predicts a brilliant future for Genji At a nearby house, they are admiring Even though the Emperor is his father, Genji is still considered to be a commoner. the young Murasaki. Genji spends several weeks in seclusion and then bids his in-laws goodbye. Inside, he sees a beautiful ten-year-old girl who resembles Fujitsubo named Murasaki. Heian-kyo, his friendship with To no Chujo and arranged marriage to To no Finally, Fujitsubo realizes she needs to make peace with Genji for the sake of their son. It was made in "concertina" or orihon style: several sheets of paper pasted together and folded alternately in one direction then the other. The Tale of Genji - Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis Murasaki Shikibu This Study Guide consists of approximately 136 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Tale of Genji. This causes the lady to become very ill, though she soon gives birth to a baby boy: Genji. Suzaku is aware that Genji is seeing Oborozukiyo, but he's unconcerned. A Synopsis of The Tale of Genji The tale begins when the emperor and a low-ranking consort bore a child and was named Genji. It continues for days and when Genji learns that the city is also experiencing horrendous weather, he dedicates himself to prayer. receives treatment from the recluse. Niou serenades Nakanokimi (detail from the 12th century Genji Monogatari Emaki scroll). During a rainy season of seclusion ( monoimi, indoors to avoid evil influences), Genji is spending time with his brother-in-law and close friend To no Chujo, who is also a … Her LitCharts Teacher Editions. poem about the inhospitable broom tree and sleep with her young brother instead. Get started. Centre for Equitable Library Access Public library service for Canadians with print disabilities One evening Genji passes a house with white flowers on it, which he learns are called "evening faces." While The Tale of Genji is parallel to the Heian era, and Genji even considered a hero by some; the storyline isn’t apt to the modern times, as his persona far opposes the ideals of a true modern hero. They're a lovely distraction from the scandal that erupts at court when news of Genji and Oboruzkiyo gets out. Meanwhile, the old emperor dies and is succeeded by Lady Kokiden's son. his return to the capital he settles down with Murasaki and several Teachers and parents! Since Genji lacks backing at court, the emperor makes him a commoner, Genji retains Ukon and The Akashi coast is gorgeous and Genji is secretly in… Genji is the title character in Murasaki Shikibu's The Tale of Genji. The Tale of Genji was written shortly after the year 1000 in Aoi, who is pregnant, becomes very ill and is possessed by an evil spirit. Overview. [ japanese temples | links | tale of genji home | books | kyoto guide ] He gives Murasaki so many toys that she soon forgets she's been kidnapped. In the evening, Genji goes with his personal attendant Koremitsu to spy on the house. Genji starts to remodel a house for his "neglected favorites" and when he learns that the Akashi Lady gave birth to a daughter, he finds her an appropriate nurse. A thousand years later, The Tale Of Genji is a cornerstone of classic Japanese literature and a historical contribution to the art of storytelling. centres on the daughters of Genji's religious half-brother, the Eighth They then go in to visit the nun, and she shows an even greater attachment to Genji than to her own son. One night, a thunderstorm terrifies everyone, and in the morning, the Minister of the Right discovers Genji in bed with Oborozukiyo. Genji monogatari, translated as The Tale Of Genji, follows the fascinating life of the fictional Prince Genji as he navigates the politics of the imperial court during the Heian period (794-1185). After During this second part of the Tale, Genji meets the ex-Governor After the game, Genji prepares to surprise Utsusemi but The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. Genji asks if he can stay in Akashi with the former governor, and the governor agrees. When Genji comes of age, his father arranges for him to marry the Minister of the Left's daughter, Aoi, instead of letting Suzaku marry her. Genji's amorous intrigues cause a scandal at court and he is forced to Summary Themes He begins corresponding with the Lady of the Evening Faces and spends little time with Aoi, which angers her. The women discuss the art and it seems a close call until Genji offers paintings from his time in Suma and Akashi. Genji, the hero of the Tale, is the son of the emperor and his favourite When Kokiden learns that Genji is still communicating with Suzaku, she puts a stop to the letters. Wearing plain clothes, Genji sneaks into her rooms and From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Instant downloads of all 1383 LitChart PDFs Kaoru and Niou, who are friends and rivals in love. However, Murasaki's father, Prince Hyobu, Fujitsubo has no interest in living at court with Kokiden now that she's all-powerful, so she returns home. He visits her once, but her mind is made up to go to Ise. The Akashi Lady, now pregnant, is distraught. decides to take charge of her and Genji is forced to kidnap her before he does so. The emperor's Written in the early 11 th century by Murasaki Shikibu, a lady-in-waiting at the Heian Court, The Tale of Genji has been praised for its analysis of the psychology of love and relationships in ways that still resonate with modern readers. The Tale of Genji Questions and Answers - Discover the eNotes.com community of teachers, mentors and students just like you that can answer any question you might have on The Tale of Genji On his way to visit Lady Rokujo, Genji learns that his old nursemaid, who has since become a Buddhist nun, is sick Not long after, Aoi dies. The Tale Of Genji Murasaki Shikibu. friends decide that the perfect woman should be loyal and cultured, but passive and willing to feign She bears the emperor a beautiful son, which makes matters Prologue Summary: “Genji on the Art of Fiction” In the Royall Tyler abridged translation of The Tale of Genji, the edition begins with a Prologue excerpt, taken from the twenty-fifth chapter of the text (which is a chapter not included in this edition).The excerpt features a conversation between Genji and Tamakazura, Yugao’s daughter, as she is copying a tale during the rainy season. made available for adoption because her grandmother, the nun, has died. Genji asks if he can stay in Akashi with the former governor, and the governor agrees. Genji becomes an uncommonly handsome and gifted young man, admired by all Tō no Chūjō makes a short visit to Suma and one of Genji's attendants, Yoshikiyo, begins communicating with a former governor about the governor's daughter, the Akashi Lady. six-year-old boy. Chapters 10-17. It's the epic story of feudal japan, the vices and virtues of passionate, larger-than-life characters, so essentially, it's an epic myth of sorts. palace at Nijo and takes her body to a nunnery in the eastern hills for funeral rites. Leaving the next day, Themes. Overview Murasaki Shikibu's epic-length novel, The Tale of Genji, probes the psychological, romantic and … The chapter end with a final poetic exchange with Genji also meets an attractive young boy, her brother, and Kii-no-kami's stepuncle. Chujo's sister Aoi, the birth of his son and his budding relationship with the emperor and Lady Kokiden is made crown prince. The climate at court, however, is very hostile towards Genji and Fujitsubo. Back in the city, Suzaku abdicates, Reizei becomes emperor, and Genji is made a minister. He sets out on horseback with Koremitsu to In a dream, the Emperor comes to Genji and tells him to leave Suma. but feared by Lady Kokiden and her family. The The Tale of Genji Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. she catches the distinctive scent of his robes and flees, leaving one of her own outer robes behind. In December, to escape it, Fujitsubo announces that she's going to become a nun. He sends letters to Murasaki, Fujitsubo, and Oborozukiyo. The first part of the Tale Genji mistakenly At Nijo, Genji is unsettled by recent events and cannot appear at court. After Genji wakes, Chujo tells the story of a lover - who is later revealed to be Yugao - who bore his Genji dedicates himself to Murasaki and the Rokujō Lady becomes more and more despondent. They're so beautiful that the whole room falls silent, and Akikonomu wins the contest. By Chapter 2, Genji is now a captain in the Palace Guards. The Emperor falls in love with a court lady and she becomes his new favorite. The At one party, he discovers an open door and has sex with Oborozukiyo, one of Kokiden's sisters, though he doesn't realize this at the time. Koremitsu sends Genji back to his An intriguing young girl gives Genji's attendant a scented fan on which to place a flower. Because Reizei loves art, he loves Akikonomu, who is a painter. Suzaku has been ill since the storm and after the New Year, he decides to abdicate and call Genji back to court. girl, who reminds him of Fujitsubo, the favourite concubine of his father, the emperor. Shikibu, a young man from the Uji River, scene of the last ten chapters of The Tale. assigning him membership of the non-royal Genji clan. Fujitsubo becomes pregnant, but the emperor is unaware of Genji's role in this. He keeps up correspondence with all the women in the city, including the Rokujō Lady. Fujitsubo is named empress in the summer, which upsets Genji—he knows she'll be out of his reach now. He eventually discovers that the Lady of the Evening Faces is a former lover of his brother-in-law, Tō no Chūjō. court. The illness lasts for quite some Yugao is a very frail, submissive beauty, and Genji is reminded of To-no-Chujo's rainy night story. Born to the Emperor and lower court member Kiritsubo in Eleventh Century Japan, Genji is restricted by his mother's social status. The Tale of Genji was written shortly after the year 1000 in Japan's Heian era, when the capital was situated at Heian-kyo (present-day Kyoto - see the map ). On his way She complains so much that the Emperor decides to not name Genji a crown prince, making him a commoner instead. Chapter Summaries & Analyses. Hurt by the rejection, Genji is unwilling to give up his pursuit of Utsusemi ("the lady of the locust shell"). The Tale of Genji describes Japanese life in the classical period of artistic development and has remained an important part of Japanese literature and … Summary of The Tale of Genji. (including. After making his rounds at the palace, Genji decides that it's time to marry Murasaki. It is written in archaic language and a poetic yet c… The emperor's favourite lady, Kiritsubo, has no strong family backing at court and suffers greatly Suzaku is in love with Akikonomu and resents that Reizei should have her, however, and this creates a great deal of tension. Kyoto - see the map). He then returns home sulking and pens a poem comparing Genji asks Fujitsubo about offering Akikonomu to Reizei as a possible bride, and she loves the idea, as the alternative is Prince Hyōbu's young daughter or Tō no Chūjō's daughter, the Kokiden girl. preoccupied with the advancement of his children and grandchildren at He begins keeping journals and sketchbooks and continues to see the Akashi Lady. Shes jealous of the court lady and turns the other ladies against her, driving her into depression. Japan's Heian era, when the capital was situated at Heian-kyo (present-day Aoi gives birth prematurely and remains very ill. Genji goes to her and the Rokujō Lady speaks to him through her body. Genji is the son of the king. Fujitsubo's (and secretly Genji's) son. Hours later, a boat from the former governor arrives to tell Genji that he'd received signs from above to set sail in the storm. by a guards officer and other friends. Prince, and the impetuous Ukifune. cold. Genji and Genji sleeps and dreams of the little girl. Genji then goes on a other ladies at his Rokujo Mansion. He tries to wake her, but she is no longer instead made a member of the non-royal Genji clan, henceforth being known as "Genji." Struggling with distance learning? Very suddenly in the spring, a storm blows up out of nowhere. see Yugao's body, but on the return journey he feels ill and falls off his horse. During his convalesence in the hills, Genji wanders to a nearby house and catches a glimse of a beautiful 10-year-old Copyright © 2001-2017 www.taleofgenji.org, The World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan, Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji - A Student Guide, The Bridge of Dreams: A Poetics of the "Tale of Genji". Near the sage's cave is a house where a bishop lives with several women and children. concubine, Fujitsubo, who reminds him of his former love. begins her education. The complex plot In the spring, Genji begins suffering from malaria, so he goes to the mountains to see a renowned sage. afterwards. Genji takes the opportunity to visit her and forces Fujitsubo to have sex with him. Our Summary of The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu. In the story, the beloved concubine of the Emperor gives birth to Genji and dies soon after. Genji, the hero of the Tale, is the son of the emperor and his favourite concubine, Kiritsubo. He makes Suzaku promise to turn to Genji for advice and to care for Reizei and then dies suddenly. Not long after, the Minister of the Right throws a lavish party. Kii-no-kami's father has married a young lady, and Genji overhears her apparently discussing himself. Oborozukiyo rises in rank at the palace and continues to see Genji romantically. The work famously reproduces the line 'the sadness of things' over 1,000 times and has been tremendously influential on Japanese literature and th… Bugaku performance on the eve of Harvest Moon at the Lower Kamo Shrine. expectations. Lady Rokujo, and when he wakes he sees an apparition by Yugao's pillow. Genji attends several concerts and events in the spring. Very suddenly in the spring, a storm blows up out of nowhere. Unable to resist, and very Kiritsubo Genji unwillingly returns to the city and sees Aoi, but he spends most of his time thinking of Murasaki. eldest son by Lady Kokiden is made crown prince and the emperor subsequently finds a new concubine, Genji is sick and decides to seek help from a holy man living in a cave in the northern hills. breathing. Fujitsubo is terrified of the Emperor discovering the paternity of her child. Niou serenades Nakanokimi (detail from the 12th century Genji Monogatari Emaki scroll). The Tale of Genji centers on the life and loves of a handsome son, HikaruGenji, born to an Emperor during the Heian Period. asks her to find Yugao's daughter, intending to raise her himself. Because of this she decides to accompany her young daughter, Akikonomu, to her post as the high priestess of the Ise Shrine. young brother sympathizes and resolves to help him try again. She does send supplies to Suma and thinks often of Genji. The classic of Japanese literature, the work describes the life and loves of Prince Genji and is noted for its rich characterisation and vivid descriptions of life in the Japanese imperial court. Genji's future is foretold by a Korean sage in a prophecy heralding Genji's bright future, but his mother's fate turns for the worst. Finally, the governor arranges for Genji to visit the lady's house. After this, Genji makes plans to withdraw from public affairs. The following fall, Oborozukiyo and Genji begin seeing each other nightly again. When it becomes clear that Prince Hyōbu won't have his way, a rivalry develops between the Kokiden girl and Akikonomu. Genji is persuaded to marry the Third Princess, who gives birth Written 1,000 years ago, The Tale of Genji has 54 chapters and over 1,000 pages of text in its English translation. restored and the Akashi Lady has a baby girl. She and Akikonomu leave in the summer. In her grief and loneliness, Murasaki takes to her bed, making her serving women fear that she might die. Later, when the child is moved to court, Genji is terrified to see that he looks just like him. asleep, Genji breaks into the lady's apartment and carries her off to his room. The era is exquisitely re-created through the story of Genji, the handsome, sensitive, gifted courtier, an excellent lover and a worthy friend. daughter but was discarded because of her meek and forgiving nature. Last Updated on May 6, 2015, by eNotes Editorial. asleep as his companions discuss several types of women, all of whom he will meet later in the Tale. Enjoy this free preview Unlock all 42 pages of this Study Guide by subscribing today. His mother is the king's favorite concubine. The Tale of Genji is a classic work of Japanese literature written in the early 11th century by the noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. Utsusemi, whom Genji also loses. frightened, Yugao is rushed off with Ukon to a deserted mansion. Considered the world’s first true novel, The Tale of Genji was written just after 1000 A.D. by a noblewoman known today as Murasaki Shikibu.Her life in high society lends the novel a distinctly aristocratic color; largely set in the mansions and great gardens of Kyoto (the then-capital of Japan), the novel details the passions and troubles of Heian court. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!”, “This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. is married off to the daughter of the Minister of the Left, Princess Aoi. Eventually, Genji simply steals Murasaki and installs her in the palace. When she sees his elaborate offerings arranged everywhere, she feels inferior and leaves without seeing him. His father, the Emperor, officially made Genji a commoner as a child, in order to ensure his favorite son would have the success he could not have had as a low-ranking royal. The Rokujō Lady finds that with the change in regime, Genji doesn't have much time for her. To-no-Chujo, however, Genji is attracted by this gentility, and resolves to take her away. They are joined Chapters 4-6. some friends from court arrive to escort him back. When everyone is Word Count: 1449. Active Themes. He and Kokiden are both filled with rage. Download Save. The first part of this chapter is the famous "Appraisal of Women on a Rainy Night" scene. Much like the epic poems of Western history, Genji is more of a story about Japan itself, the rejected son of a royal king who begins a new dominion in the mountains. Genji then falls The Emperor, still grieving the Lady of the Paulownia Court, hears of a young woman named Fujitsubo who resembles his dead lover and summons her to court. She spends her last days in frivolous court cases, until finally she becomes ill and dies. The Emperor's concubines are disgruntled to discover that he favors a woman known as the Lady of the Paulownia Court more than them. Genji employs the boy as a page and has him deliver messages to his sister, but the lady discourages In the fall, Genji unknowingly travels to the Sumiyoshi shrine on the same day as the Akashi Lady, who arrives later. The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu (Plot Summary; Ch. Prologue-Chapter 1. The scene then shifts to Sanjo, where Genji is visiting his wife Aoi, but he finds her distant and concubine, Kiritsubo. In a dream, the Emperor comes to Genji and tells him to leave Suma. Genji returns to the capital and the emperor abdicates in favour of Ministry of Rites, tells the gathering of a lady who was too scholarly, preferring the rather Around this time, the Emperor hands the throne over to Suzaku, though he asks Genji to be Reizei's guardian. Despite his abiding affection for Murasaki, Genji is intimate with many other women throughout his life. leave the capital and live in Suma for several The Tale of Genji. night. Our, “Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Korean ambassadors arrive in the capital and predict a brilliant future for the Genji and the lady begin to write to each other. However, because Genji's mother, the Lady of the Paulownia Court, is disliked by the Emperor's other concubines, the Emperor feels forced… read analysis of Genji. The Tale of Genji follows the political rise, love affairs, and social codes surrounding the title character Hikaru Genji. He also begins neglecting another lover, the Rokujō Lady. The Minister of the Left is comforted, as he believes that Genji will have to come back to see his son by Aoi, Yūgiri. Although of royal blood, the boy has no maternal relatives to support him as a prince at court and is Also called the "Shining Genji,” he is the son of a Japanese emperor (Emperor Kiritsubo) and the Emperor’s low-ranking Intimate courtesan (Lady Kiritsibu). Genji is the protagonist of the novel and the Emperor 's favorite son. As the seasons pass, Genji thinks often of Murasaki, Reizei, and Yugiri. Fujitsubo leaves court due to an illness and, through her maid Omyobu, Genji arranges a secret visit and stays the The Emperor again makes sure that the festivities are equal to or better than those that Suzaku enjoyed. To punish her, Genji stops writing and ignores Reizei. from the insults of jealous competitors. Back at his Nijo palace, Genji years. You'll get access to all of the The Tale of Genji content, as well as access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts. disguises himself and arranges a secret meeting through her maid, Ukon. Genji. Akikonomu and the Rokujō Lady return to the city and soon, the Rokujō Lady becomes very ill. On her deathbed, she asks Genji to care for her daughter and not make her one of his lovers. Chapters 7-9. The nurse’s son, Koremitsu, who is also Genji’s foster brother, is with him during his visit. Genji rekindles a relationship with two sisters, Reikeiden and the Lady of the Orange Blossoms, who had been close with his father. The next day he renews his This angers the Minister of the Right and Kokiden, though Genji is also unhappy in his marriage. The nun, Murasaki's grandmother, won't allow it either. Though the Emperor is distraught when Genji's hair is cut in the adult fashion, Genji is so beautiful in adult dress that he nearly cries for joy. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. Genji - already smitten with Fujitsubo - seeks to adopt the child but is not taken seriously. '. Genji begins to plan how he can take the child, but the bishop, who explains that Murasaki is Prince Hyōbu's daughter, won't allow Genji to have her. Genji begins visiting the lady in disguise and doesn't reveal to her who he is. Later, Genji finds his interest piqued by the poem written on the fan. The The Tale of Genji Community Note includes chapter-by-chapter summary and analysis, character list, theme list, historical context, author biography and quizzes written by community members like you. While recovering, his attendants tell him the story of a Governor of Akashi who became a lay priest and retired there with his daughter, for whom he had great out, Genji's curiosity is aroused by whoever might be in the house of yugao, so he sends Koremitsu to investigate, who A SHORT SUMMARY OF THE TALE. Her father desperately wants her to begin a relationship with Genji and tempts him with tales of her musical talent. Her ladies, however, are thrilled. Genji panics, wakes Ukon and Koremitsu, but it is too late, she is dead. The 'Tale of the Genji' or Genji Monogatari, written in the 11th century CE by Murasaki Shikibu, a court lady, is Japan's oldest novel and possibly the first novel in world literature. but his mother suffers the jealousy of rivals at court, becomes ill and Tale, Genji's influence at court increases steadily and he is request to adopt Murasaki, this time by letter, but without success. Genji to take a flower on. the beautiful flowers called yugao ("evening faces"), when a little girl comes out with a scented white fan for any further relationship. breaks in on her companion and is forced to improvise. masculine Chinese language to Japanese, and whose breath on one occasion had smelled of garlic. Shōnagon spends much of her time worrying that Genji isn't truly serious about wanting to make Murasaki a wife someday, and she's thrilled when she discovers that Genji followed through, despite Murasaki's crushing sense of betrayal. When the child is three, the Lady dies. spies her playing Go with a lively companion, Nokiba-no-ogi. When fully recovered from his illness, Genji asks again about adopting Murasaki, but is again refused. The eldest son of Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. to a son and soon after becomes a Buddhist nun. It is generally considered to be the world's first true novel, and was certainly the first psychological novel ever written. The Tale of Genji is not just a single work, although the initial entry also bears that title, but a series of volumes that spread across more than a thousand pages in most published versions. Genji manages to visit her once more but is rebuffed, leaving him to write a Utsusemi's robe to a cast-off cicada shell. Fujitsubo is almost more perfect than the Paulownia Lady and because of the resemblance, Genji begins to fall in love with her. Genji worries too, but he's also caught up in fighting for custody of Murasaki. During this long section of the That night, Genji dreams of a jealous lady resembling The Tale of Genji - Chapter 25 Summary & Analysis Murasaki Shikibu This Study Guide consists of approximately 136 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of The Tale of Genji. A major ambition of many ranking gentlemen in the world of The Tale of Genji—the court in the imperial city that is now Kyoto—was to present a daughter to the Emperor or the Heir Apparent. Fujitsubo, who resembles Kiritsubo but has better family connections. By the end of the chapter, Genji At one point, Fujitsubo suggests an art critique contest. She feels betrayed, as she'd thought of Genji only as a father. In the fall, the Emperor's health takes a turn for the worse. Character Analysis. invites Genji to visit, during the course of which he discovers that the child Murasaki is in fact Fujitsubo's follows his amorous exploits with a variety of ladies in and around Summary. The length reflects the time it took Shikibu to compose it and thus reflects a maturation that transforms from near-fairy tale romance in that first volume into a far more complex and profound prose romance, one on par with … Eventually he returns to the palace and the grandmother dies shortly niece. They find her presumptuous and torment her incessantly. dies. This makes Suzaku's mother, Kokiden, very nervous. Back at court, Genji's father-in-law arrives and takes him to meet Fujitsubo becomes ill and leaves to spend time with her family. of Harima and his daughter The Akashi Lady. Genji tells his former nurse how much he appreciates her care for him after his mother died. Genji takes it upon himself to discover which of his daughters he slept with and finds Oborozukiyo. 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