New Herbs, Part I

In the Tenth Month, Murasaki made offerings in Genji’s honor. Choosing a temple in Saga, she commissioned a reading of the sutras for the protection of the realm. Ending the fast, a banquet was arranged at the Nijo residence and attended by many people in festive dress. The musicians took their places. Yugiri and Kashiwagi went out and danced under a tree of plum rouge. For the old members of the audience it evoked the image of young Genji and To-no-Chujo’s dance long before, "Waves of the blue Ocean". Genji was in tears as memories flooded back.

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