Lady of the Orange Blossoms Character Analysis in The Tale of Genji

The Lady of the Orange Blossoms is Reikeiden's younger sister. Both used to be consorts of the Emperor, but everyone forgot them after the Emperor died. Genji begins visiting them and begins sexual relationships with both, and he notes several times that he's the only man who visits either woman. Later, he groups the Lady of the Orange Blossoms with his other “neglected favorites” and decides to move her into a remodeled mansion with other former lovers.

Lady of the Orange Blossoms Quotes in The Tale of Genji

The The Tale of Genji quotes below are all either spoken by Lady of the Orange Blossoms or refer to Lady of the Orange Blossoms. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

). Note: all page numbers and citation info for the quotes below refer to the Vintage edition of The Tale of Genji published in 1976.

They lived precarious lives, completely dependent on Genji. So lonely indeed was their mansion that he could imagine the desolation awaiting it once he himself was gone...

Related Characters: , , ,

Page Number and Citation: 245

Explanation and Analysis:

Though she saw little of him, the lady was completely dependent on him; but she was not of the modern sort, given to outpourings of resentment. He knew that she would not make him uncomfortable. Long neglected, her house now wore a weirdly ruinous aspect.

Related Characters: , , ,

Page Number and Citation: 327

Explanation and Analysis:

Her soft voice, trailing off into silence, was very pleasing. He sighed, almost wishing it were not the case that each of his ladies had something to recommend her. It made for a most complicated life.

Related Characters: ,

Page Number and Citation: 328

Explanation and Analysis:

Lady of the Orange Blossoms Character Timeline in The Tale of Genji

The timeline below shows where the character Lady of the Orange Blossoms appears in The Tale of Genji. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

...remember the past together. Then, Genji goes to look in on her younger sister, the Lady of the Orange Blossoms . The narrator notes that because Genji is so beautiful and kind, he succeeds in... (full context)

...Murasaki, but he understands that taking her would be inappropriate. Genji also worries about the Lady of the Orange Blossoms ; he doesn't visit her often, but he is her only visitor. Fujitsubo also begins... (full context)

Because Genji keeps getting notes from Reikeiden and the Lady of the Orange Blossoms , he decides to spend one final night with the ladies. The narrator notes that... (full context)

...he didn't just go with her to Ise. He also receives comforting letters from the Lady of the Orange Blossoms and Reikeiden, and he sends friends in the city to make repairs to their house... (full context)

...doesn't pursue a relationship with her. Similarly, he sends a very short note to the Lady of the Orange Blossoms . (full context)

The Parent-Child Relationship Theme Icon

Genji begins to remodel an inherited house for his "neglected favorites" such as the Lady of the Orange Blossoms . The Akashi Lady gives birth to Genji's first daughter, which delights him. He wonders... (full context)

...his other lovers. When the summer rains begin, he goes to visit Reikeiden and the Lady of the Orange Blossoms . The lady is beautiful, and Genji wishes that his lovers had something wrong with... (full context)