"IN THE DAYTIME COURTIERS CAME TO SEE HIM"
"IN THE DAYTIME COURTIERS CAME TO SEE HIM"
"I wish," said the Prince, "to arrange that you shall live in the North building. This room is near the Audience Room and has no charm in it" [i.e. some one might discover her]. So she shut herself up and listened in secret. In the daytime courtiers of the ex-Emperor [his father] came to see him. He said: "How is it with you here? Can you stay? I feared that you would find it disagreeable by my side"; and she answered, "I feared just the same thing." He laughed and said: "To tell the truth, take care of yourself while I am away; some impertinent fellows may come to catch a glimpse of you. In a few days I will have you live openly in the room where now is my housekeeper [nurse]. The room where I pass the day has no visitors."
After two or three days she was removed to the North side building.[27]People were astonished and ran and told the Princess, who said: "Even without this event, I have not been treated as I ought to have been. She is of no high birth; it is too much." She was angry because he had told her nothing. His secrecy displeased her very much, and she was more inconsolable than ever. The Prince felt sorry for her and tried to be with her oftener. She said to him: "I am ill with hearing rumours and have come to hate seeing people. Why have you not told me this before? I would not have interfered: I cannot bear to be treated like a woman of no importance. I am ashamed to think that people are laughing at me." She said it weeping and weeping. He answered: "I brought her for my maid, and I thought that you would allow it; as you are angry with me the Lieutenant-General [her brother] hates me also. I brought her to dress my hair and she shall serve you also." The Princess was not softened by these words, but she was silenced.
Thus days passed and the lady became used to the court life. She dressed his hair and served in everything. As he did not allow her to retire to her private room, the visits of the Princess became more and more rare. The Princess lamented it infinitely. The year turned back and on the first day of the Social month all the courtiers came to perform the ceremony of congratulation before the Emperor. The Prince was among them. He was younger and fairer than any, and even this made her ashamed of herself. From the Princess's house her ladies went out to see the procession, yet they did not care so much to see the courtiers as to look at her. They were in great disorder looking about; it was an ugly sight.
After dark when the ceremony was over, His Highness came back and all the court nobles came with him to amuse themselves. It was very gay and a contrast to the solitary life of her old home. One day the Prince heard that even the lowest servants were speaking evil of her. He thought it was due to the behaviour of his wife, and being displeased seldom went to the Royal dwelling. She was sorry for the Princess, yet she did not know what to do. She remained there, thinking that she would do as she was bid.
The Princess's elder sister was married to the Crown Prince and just then was living with her parents. She wrote to the younger Princess: "How are you? I have heard something of what people are saying these days. Is it true? Even I feel disgraced. Come to us during the night."
The Princess could not console herself when she thought how much people who make talk about nothing were gossiping. She wrote back to her sister: "I have received your letter. I had been unhappy in the world [married life] and now am in a painful situation. For a time I will go back, and beholding the young Princess will comfort me. Please send some one to summon me. I cannot go away when I desire, for he will not permit it." She began to put her affairs in order, taking away those things which must not be seen by others. She said: "I am going there for a while, for if I stay here my husband will feel uncomfortable to come to me. It is painful for both of us." And they said: "People are talking and laughing about it a good deal. He went out himself to get her. She is dazzling to the eye; she lives in the court ladies' room over there. She goes to the Prince's hall three or four times a day. It is quite right that you should punish him—going away with few words!"
All hated the lady, and he was sorry for her. His Highness suspected what his wife was going to do, and he found his conjecture realized when the sons of his brother-in-law came to fetch her. A lady-in-waiting said to the housekeeper: "The princess has taken important things with her; she is going away." The housekeeper was in great anxiety and said to the Prince: "The Princess is going away. What will the Crown Prince think of it! Go to comfort her."
It was painful to her [the lady] to see these things going on. She was very sorry and pained, yet, as it was an unfit time to say anything, she kept silence. She wanted to get away from this disagreeable place, but thought that also not good. She thought she could never get rid of her trouble if she stayed. His Highness went towards the Princess, who met him as if nothing had happened. "Is it true," he said, "that you are going to your elder sister? Why have you not asked me for the palanquin?" She answered: "Something has happened. There is something which demands me and they have sent messengers for me." She said nothing more. The Princess's words, her letters, and those of her sister were written roughly, from supposition.
[1]In the writings of the ladies of those daysWorld(yononaka) is often used as a synonym of love-affair; i.e. their relations with men.
[1]In the writings of the ladies of those daysWorld(yononaka) is often used as a synonym of love-affair; i.e. their relations with men.
[2]In those days noblemen's houses were surrounded with an embankment, instead of a wall.
[2]In those days noblemen's houses were surrounded with an embankment, instead of a wall.
[3]Prince Tametaka, the third Prince of the Emperor Rezrei who reigned 968-969. The Prince died on June 13, 1002. He had been Izumi Shikibu's lover.
[3]Prince Tametaka, the third Prince of the Emperor Rezrei who reigned 968-969. The Prince died on June 13, 1002. He had been Izumi Shikibu's lover.
[4]Tachibana: a kind of orange.
[4]Tachibana: a kind of orange.
[5]The cuckoo sings when the tachibana is in flower. In this instance the "cuckoo" means the young Prince. Thus there is a suggestion here if he chooses to take it.
[5]The cuckoo sings when the tachibana is in flower. In this instance the "cuckoo" means the young Prince. Thus there is a suggestion here if he chooses to take it.
[6]The period of mourning was to end on June 13, 1003.
[6]The period of mourning was to end on June 13, 1003.
[7]The cuckoo sings with low note in early spring, but when April is passed his voice grows clear and loud. It is a favourite bird in Japan.
[7]The cuckoo sings with low note in early spring, but when April is passed his voice grows clear and loud. It is a favourite bird in Japan.
[8]The meaning of the poem is vague.Ayamemay meanIris sibirica—rain-stop, darkness—these are homonyms in Japanese. The fifth day of the fifth month was a festival day, and people adorned their houses withiris sibirica, so the last line might mean that she wanted to prepare for the festival. If we take the wordayamein the meaning of rain-stop, then we can understand the poem as follows: "It is the wet season now, and it is raining within my heart. To-night I am going to the temple to pray that the rainy season will be over (and to chase away the darkness from my soul). After that I wish you to come."
[8]The meaning of the poem is vague.Ayamemay meanIris sibirica—rain-stop, darkness—these are homonyms in Japanese. The fifth day of the fifth month was a festival day, and people adorned their houses withiris sibirica, so the last line might mean that she wanted to prepare for the festival. If we take the wordayamein the meaning of rain-stop, then we can understand the poem as follows: "It is the wet season now, and it is raining within my heart. To-night I am going to the temple to pray that the rainy season will be over (and to chase away the darkness from my soul). After that I wish you to come."
[9]Ukon-no-Zo, an officer in the Bodyguard. He seems to have been an attendant of the late Prince Tametaka, before he served the present Prince.
[9]Ukon-no-Zo, an officer in the Bodyguard. He seems to have been an attendant of the late Prince Tametaka, before he served the present Prince.
[10]Prime Minister Fujiwara-no-Michinaga, the most powerful man of the age. (See the Introduction and the Murasaki Shikibu diary.)
[10]Prime Minister Fujiwara-no-Michinaga, the most powerful man of the age. (See the Introduction and the Murasaki Shikibu diary.)
[11]In the Japanese Matsu,n.=pine-tree; Matsu,v.=to wait. This poem refers to a famous one: /$If my heart grows faithless, and beat for another man,May waves pass over the hill of pines, where I pine for my beloved!$/
[11]In the Japanese Matsu,n.=pine-tree; Matsu,v.=to wait. This poem refers to a famous one: /$If my heart grows faithless, and beat for another man,May waves pass over the hill of pines, where I pine for my beloved!$/
[12]For the Festival of the stars on the seventh day of the Seventh month see the notes on pages 23, 24 of the Sarashina Diary. On this evening it was customary to write letters or pay visits in memory of the heavenly lovers.
[12]For the Festival of the stars on the seventh day of the Seventh month see the notes on pages 23, 24 of the Sarashina Diary. On this evening it was customary to write letters or pay visits in memory of the heavenly lovers.
[13]Ishiyama Temple is some five miles to the east of Kioto. To reach there one must rise over the ascent of Osaka, and the barrier of Seki at the foot of Mount Seki, where travellers were stopped and examined. The temple commands a fine view of Lake Biwa, still more distant.
[13]Ishiyama Temple is some five miles to the east of Kioto. To reach there one must rise over the ascent of Osaka, and the barrier of Seki at the foot of Mount Seki, where travellers were stopped and examined. The temple commands a fine view of Lake Biwa, still more distant.
[14]This group of poems have as their base the play upon words of two meanings, or place-names whose meanings make the necessary suggestive idea. Omi is the name of the province in which are Ishiyama and Lake Biwa. Here the word is used as the homophon of meeting. Mount Nagara is near the Ishiyama Temple.Nagarais the homophon of "while being (on the mountain)."
[14]This group of poems have as their base the play upon words of two meanings, or place-names whose meanings make the necessary suggestive idea. Omi is the name of the province in which are Ishiyama and Lake Biwa. Here the word is used as the homophon of meeting. Mount Nagara is near the Ishiyama Temple.Nagarais the homophon of "while being (on the mountain)."
[15]Law of Buddha.
[15]Law of Buddha.
[16]The waning moon is called the morning moon because it can be seen after dawn.
[16]The waning moon is called the morning moon because it can be seen after dawn.
[17]Wild geese visit Japan in Autumn and fly away northwards in the early spring. They are never alone, and their cries calling to each other make the solitary woman feel loneliness more keenly.
[17]Wild geese visit Japan in Autumn and fly away northwards in the early spring. They are never alone, and their cries calling to each other make the solitary woman feel loneliness more keenly.
[18]It is the Japanese way to saynight opensinstead ofday dawns.The wordlittlemeans nothing but a feeling of endearment.
[18]It is the Japanese way to saynight opensinstead ofday dawns.The wordlittlemeans nothing but a feeling of endearment.
[19]The Japanese lady in her dwelling where the light was softened by her window-panes of white silk, or her sudaré, dwelt always in a sort of twilight probably very becoming to beauty.
[19]The Japanese lady in her dwelling where the light was softened by her window-panes of white silk, or her sudaré, dwelt always in a sort of twilight probably very becoming to beauty.
[20]Mayumi—Evonymœus europus. In Autumn the leaves of the tree become purple or red, and they are so pretty that people call them "mountain brocade."
[20]Mayumi—Evonymœus europus. In Autumn the leaves of the tree become purple or red, and they are so pretty that people call them "mountain brocade."
[21]According to an ancient fable, En-no-Shokaku, a great magician who could command even gods, once summoned gods of many mountains to make a stone bridge at Kumé on Mount Katuragi in the Province of Yamato. The goddess of Mount Katuragi was very shy, and, working only at night, never showed herself before others. The magician grew angry with her, and punished her by unveiling her. That was the cause of the failure in the work. (The inmost soul hides itself and works in the dark. If you try to bring it into clear consciousness, you will fail in your work.)
[21]According to an ancient fable, En-no-Shokaku, a great magician who could command even gods, once summoned gods of many mountains to make a stone bridge at Kumé on Mount Katuragi in the Province of Yamato. The goddess of Mount Katuragi was very shy, and, working only at night, never showed herself before others. The magician grew angry with her, and punished her by unveiling her. That was the cause of the failure in the work. (The inmost soul hides itself and works in the dark. If you try to bring it into clear consciousness, you will fail in your work.)
[22]The Godless month—the Tenth month; so called because in that month all the gods left their abodes and went to the High Plain of Heaven to hold counsel together.
[22]The Godless month—the Tenth month; so called because in that month all the gods left their abodes and went to the High Plain of Heaven to hold counsel together.
[23]In those days they believed in lucky and unlucky directions. Those who went in an unlucky direction might have some unfortunate incidents. This belief still holds in the country life of the people. The writer was once deprived of a good servant who wanted to come to her, but could not because her house was in an "unlucky direction!"
[23]In those days they believed in lucky and unlucky directions. Those who went in an unlucky direction might have some unfortunate incidents. This belief still holds in the country life of the people. The writer was once deprived of a good servant who wanted to come to her, but could not because her house was in an "unlucky direction!"
[24]In 997 she had Koshikibu-no-Naishi (she was also a poetess and court lady). Her husband was Tachibana Michisada, to whom she was married before she knew Prince Tanetaka.
[24]In 997 she had Koshikibu-no-Naishi (she was also a poetess and court lady). Her husband was Tachibana Michisada, to whom she was married before she knew Prince Tanetaka.
[25]The pine-tree at Suminoye is famous for its age.
[25]The pine-tree at Suminoye is famous for its age.
[26]Yamato-nadeshiko—Japanese pink; the homonym means the caressed girl of Yamato.
[26]Yamato-nadeshiko—Japanese pink; the homonym means the caressed girl of Yamato.
[27]See plan of palace or nobleman's house.
[27]See plan of palace or nobleman's house.
The year was divided according to a Lunar Calendar, which was one month or so in advance of the present Solar Calendar.
NAMES OF THE MONTHS
First month; Social month; Spring-birth month.Second month; Clothes-again-doubled month; Little-grass-growing month.Third month; Ever-growing month; Flowery month; Dreaming month.Fourth month; Deutzia month; First Summer month.Fifth month; Rice-sprout month; Tachibana month.Sixth month; Watery month (rice-fields filled with water).Seventh month; Rice-ear month; Literary month (people composed poems onthe star festival).Eighth month; Rice-ear-swelling month; Mid-autumn.Ninth month; Chrysanthemum month; Long-night month.Tenth month; Gods-absent month; Thunderless month; Little Spring.Eleventh month; Frost month.Twelfth month; Last month; Spring-waiting month.
974. Izumi Shikibu, the daughter of Masamune, Governorof the Province of Echizen, born.977. Prince Tametaka (future lover of Izumi Shikibu) born.978. Prince Atsumichi (future lover of Izumi Shikibu) born.Murasaki Shikibu, daughter of Fujiwara Tametoki, born.980. Prince Yasuhito (afterwards the Mikado Ichijo) born.988. Akiko, Michinaga's first daughter, born.990. Sadako, daughter of Michinaga's eldest brother Michitaka,comes to the Court, and later becomes Queen to Mikado Ichijo.991. Sei-ShÅnagon comes to Court as one of Queen Sadako's ladies.994. Prince Atsumichi comes of age and marries the thirddaughter of Michitaka.995. Izumi Shikibu marries Tachibana Michisada.Prince Atsumichi divorces his first wife.996. Prince Atsumichi marries again.997. Murasaki Shikibu goes to Echizen with her father whohas been made Governor of the Province.Akiko joins the Court.Izumi Shikibu's first daughter born.998. Murasaki Shikibu returns to KiÅto.999. Murasaki Shikibu marries Fujiwara Nobutaka.1000. Akiko made second queen.Murasaki Shikibu's daughter born.1001. Pestilence.Murasaki Shikibu's husband dies.Conflagration of the Palace.1002. Murasaki Shikibu probably began the writing of the"Genji Monogatari."Sei-ShÅnagon probably began the "Makura-no-SÅshi."In June, Prince Tametaka (Izumi Shikibu's lover; herhusband, from whom she was divorced, had died earlier)dies.Izumi Shikibu begins a liaison with Prince Atsumichi.1003. Izumi Shikibu goes to live at the South Palace.1004. Izumi Shikibu leaves Prince Atsumichi's palace, andmarries Fujiwara Yasumasa.1005. Murasaki Shikibu joins the Court.Conflagration of the Palace.Izumi Shikibu goes to the Province of Tango, her husbandhaving been appointed Governor.1007. Akiko (second queen) gives birth to Prince Atsusada.Murasaki Shikibu begins to keep her diary.1008. Izumi Shikibu returns to become lady-in-waiting at the Court.1009. Fujiwara Takasué's daughter (author of Sarashina Diary) born.1017. Fujiwara Takasué appointed Province Governor, goes tohis province with his daughter.1021. Takasué's daughter returns to KiÅto. Sarashina Diary begun.