The Tale of Genji by Tosa Mitsuyoshi and his studio

Chapter 12. Suma, paited by Tosa Mitsuyoshi

Hikaru Genji is gazing out at the cherry blossoms while thinking of the capital, at the temporary house in Suma, when his friend To-no Chujo comes from the capital to visit him.

Chapter 33. Fuji no Uraba (Shoots of wisteria leaves), by a painter in Mitsuyoshi's studio

Genji’s son Yugiri is invited to the party of wisteria flowers organized by To-no Chujo, when he is granted permission to marry To-no Chujo’s daughter.

Chapter 1. Kiritsubo (The Paulownia Court), by Tosa school painters

Hikaru Genji was born as a prince of Emperor Kiritsubo but later removed from the line of succession.
In this painting, Genji, at twelve years of age, is attending his genpuku, or coming-of-age ceremony.

Chapter 2. Hahakigi (Broom Cypress), by Tosa school painters

Genji, who had turned seventeen, received a visit from To-no Chujo, Sama-no Kami and another courtier. Together they chatted about women. Sama-no Kami talked about when he saw his lover playing music with another man.

Chapter 4. Yugao (Evening Faces), by Tosa school painters

Genji began to see an older woman, Lady Rokujo. On leaving her home, he asks a lady-in-waiting to nip off a morning glory flower wet with morning dew.

Chapter 7. Momiji no Ga (Celebration of Autumn Foliage), by Tosa school painters

Genji, with chrysanthemum flowers on his head, and To-no Chujo, with red maple leaves on his head, are performing a dance at the palace.

Chapter 9. Aoi (Mallow), by Tosa school painters

Aoi-no Ue, Genji’s principal wife, and Lady Rokujo, his lover, went out to see Genji as an attendant in the Aoi Festival parade. Their carriages encounter each other on the busy Ichijo Street. A dispute occurs over where to park their carriages.

Chapter 10. Sakaki (Sacred Evergreen), by Tosa school painters

Genji pays a visit to Lady Rokujo, who has decided to leave the capital. He gives her a branch of sakaki (sacred evergreen) and says that his love for her will last forever, like the green of sakaki leaves.

Chapter 11. Hanachirusato (Falling Flowers), by Tosa school painters

Genji visited Hanhachirusato for the first time in a while. He feels comforted by her warm hospitality, which has not changed. In her garden there was blossoming tachibana, the scent of which is said to recall days gone by.

Chapter 12. Suma, by Tosa school painters

Genji was entrapped by the plot of the Minister of the Right group that proclaimed him a traitor of the court. He decided to live in exile in Suma. He comforts Murasaki-no Ue, who became his wife after Aoi-no Ue, died, saying,“The image on the mirror will remain with you."

Chapter 13. Akashi, by Tosa school painters

Akashi-no Nyudo (the Akashi Novitiate), living in Akashi, the neighboring region to Suma, invited Genji to his home. On the moonlit night of the 13th of the Eighth Month, Genji heads there on a horse.

Chapter 16. Sekiya (The Gatehouse)

In the year after Genji’s return to the capital, the party of Genji, on the pilgrimage way to Ishiyama Temple, encounters that of Utsusemi, a woman with whom Genji spent a night when he was young, at the gate of Osaka-no Seki barrier.

Chapter 17. E-awase (The Picture Competition)

Emperor Reizei, who loves painting, often visits Empress Akikonomu, who paints very well. In opposition, Kokiden-no Nyogo lets painters paint pictures. Fujitsubo, the emperor’s mother, lets court ladies of both sides argue about which paintings are better.

Chapter 18. Matsukaze (Wind in the Pines)

Late at night, when staying at Murasaki-no Ue’s, Genji receives a letter from Akashi-no Kimi. She is the woman he met in Akashi. She has a daughter with him. He shows the letter to Murasaki-no Ue.

Chapter 19. Usugumo (A Thin Veil of Clouds)

It was decided that the daughter of Genji and Akashi-no Kimi would be taken in and raised by Murasaki-no Ue. Seeing the adorable little princess, Murasaki-no Ue thinks about how Akashi-no Kimi feels.

Chapter 20. Asagao (Bellflowers)

When Genji returns from Asagao-no Kimi’s home, Murasaki-no Ue looks displeased. He sends page girls to the snowy garden and lets them play there. While watching the girls playing adorably, He comforts her.

Chapter 21. Otome (The Maidens)

Yugiri, son of Genji, and Kumoinokari, daughter of To-no Chujo, have been friends since they were children.There is a mutual attraction but any romantic relationship between them is vigorously opposed by To-no Chujo.To-no Chujo has confined Kumoinokari to his residence.

Chapter 22. Tamakazura

Genji has moved in to the Rokujo estate with his ladies. Toward the end of the year, at the age of 35, Genji, together with Murasaki-no Ue, is selecting New Year’s dresses for his ladies.

Chapter 23. Hatsune (First Song of Spring)

On New Year’s Day, at the Rokujo estate, Genji went to greet his female partners one by one. He visits Akashi-no Kimi in her room. Her dark hair shines beautifully against the white robe presented by Genji.

Chapter 24. Kocho (Butterflies)

There was a spring banquet at the Rokujo estate. Genji sent a boat to the quarters of Empress Akikonomu, who was staying at the Rokujo estate in preparation for giving birth at home, and invited her ladies-in-waiting to the banquet.

Chapter 25. Hotaru (Fireflies)

There was a mounted archery meeting at the Rokujo estate. At the estate, Genji had taken in Tamakazura as his stepdaughter. Numerous young noblemen came to attend the meeting, wanting to see the beautiful Tamakazura.

Chapter 26. Tokonatsu (Wild Pinks)

On a hot summer day, To-no Chujo made a visit to the room of his daughter Kumoinokari and found her napping in only a gossamer singlet. He woke her up with the snapping sound of his fan and admonished her.

Chapter 28. Nowaki (The Typhoon)

On the morning after the typhoon, Genji sent his son Yugiri to see how things were at the residence of Empress Akikonomu. She sent page girls into the garden to gather windswept flowers and put drops of dew into insect cages.

Chapter 29. Miyuki (The Imperial Outing)

There was an imperial outing of Emperor Reizei to Oharano, and a falconry session took place. Genji offered the emperor food and liquor. The emperor sent him pheasants tied to a branch.

Chapter 30. Fujibakama (Thoroughwort Flowers)

It has been revealed that the real father of Tamakazura is To-no Chujo. Knowing that she is not his sister, Yugiri visits her room and pushes flowers of thoroughwort under the bamboo blind to declare his love for her.

Chapter 31. Makibashira (The Cypress Pillar)

Tamakazura, who has been raised by Genji with a lot of affection, is to marry Higekuro Taisho. Genji visits her and sheds tears.

Chapter 32. Umegae (A Branch of Plum)

There was a competition of blended incenses at the Rokujo estate. Prince Hotaru, a younger brother of Hikaru Genji, was the judge. Genji gives the prince a set of court robes and jars of perfume.

Chapter 33. Fuji no Uraba (Wisteria leaves)

The marriage of Yugiri and Kumoinokari has finally been approved after a long period of disapproval. To-no Chujo, Kumoinokari’s father, visits their new home.

Chapter 34. Wakana (Early Spring Greens): part 1

Genji married Third Princess as his principal wife. When young people are playing kemari football at the Rokujo estate, a cat comes running out and the blind is turned up; Kashiwagi, who is among those playing football, catches a glimpse of her.

Chapter 36. Kashiwagi (The Oak Tree)

Kashiwagi committed adultery with the Third Princess. He noticed that Genji had known that; suffering remorse, he fell seriously ill. Wishing for his recovery, his father To-no Chujo asks a priest to offer prayers.