The Tale of Genji: The Sacred Tree Summary & Analysis

The Rokujō Lady grows more and more despondent. Genji stops visiting altogether and so she decides to accompany Akikonomu to Ise. Genji is sad about this and tries to convince her to stay, but she refuses. Finally, he goes to visit her at the shrine. The Rokujō Lady agrees to receive him through curtains though when he arrives, she only passes a few notes. The lady's ladies finally convince the Rokujō Lady to go talk to Genji herself. He offers her a camellia branch in lieu of an apology for neglecting her, and the two make up to a degree. Genji remembers how close they once were and begins to cry. The Rokujō Lady tries not to cry as Genji tells her everything, and she finds her resolve to leave weakening.

At dawn, Genji takes the Rokujō Lady's hand and professes his love. She expresses sadness that she's leaving and finally, Genji goes. He writes her the next day and his letter almost makes the Rokujō Lady reconsider, but it's too late. Akikonomu is thrilled to get to take her mother with her to Ise. The Suzaku Emperor, who is romantically interested in Akikonomu, appoints a grand retinue to escort the priestess and Genji sends a letter as they leave, to which the priestess herself replies. Genji spends the rest of the day in seclusion and thinks that Akikonomu interests him, wondering if he'd have a chance to meet her in the future.

The Suzaku Emperor puts the farewell comb in Akikonomu's hair and in the evening, the procession of carriages leaves for Ise. As the procession passes Genji's mansion, he sends out a poem asking the Rokujō Lady if she'll regret her decision. The Rokujō Lady replies briskly the next morning that she's firm in her decision. Genji spends the day alone.

Beginning in October, the court begins to fear for the Emperor's health. He begs Suzaku to be good to Genji and to ask Genji for advice. Suzaku agrees to follow his father's wishes. Reizei also visits the Emperor with Fujitsubo. Later, the Emperor tells Genji to take care of Reizei. Kokiden delays her visit and because of this, the Emperor dies before she can see him. His death is a surprise and brings possible turmoil with it: the Suzaku Emperor is still young and his grandfather, the Minister of the Right, is vindictive.

Fujitsubo knows that Kokiden will be horrible to live with, so Prince Hyōbu arrives to take her home. The prince and Genji exchange poems about their grief before the procession leaves for Sanjō. Genji grieves into the new year. In February, Kokiden appoints Oborozukiyo to be the wardress of the ladies' apartments and gives Oborozukiyo her former pavilion. Genji and Oborozukiyo continue to write to each other.

With the Emperor gone, Kokiden sets about making Genji's life miserable, as she and the Minister of the Right haven't forgotten that the Minister of the Left gave Aoi to Genji instead of to Suzaku. Genji dedicates himself to Yugiri's education and neglects his many ladies. He's sad, however, when the Princess Asagao is called to take a priestess position. Regardless, he continues to write to her. Suzaku wants to call on Genji, but his mother and grandfather won't let him.

Genji and Oborozukiyo continue their romance and one evening, she invites him to her chambers. Near dawn, Genji is awakened by guardsmen yelling, flushing out men in ladies' chambers. Oborozukiyo recites a poem as Genji tries to sneak out. Unfortunately, an officer affiliated with the Minister of the Right sees Genji.

Fujitsubo continues to worry about Reizei. Though she's happy that the Emperor never found out about Reizei's paternity, she's still afraid of what might happen if the truth were to get out. She's also unhappy that Genji is still in love with her. One day, he manages to get close to her. It feels like a nightmare to her; his "comforting" words aren't comforting at all and she begins to experience chest pains. Genji is shocked at how hard she resists him but refuses to leave, even when dawn comes. Omyōbu pushes Genji into a closet to hide him and calls for Prince Hyōbu and priests.

By evening, Fujitsubo is feeling better, so Prince Hyōbu leaves. Genji slips out of the closet and watches Fujitsubo for a moment. He marvels at how much she and Murasaki look like each other. Genji approaches Fujitsubo again. Terrified, she sinks to the floor and tries to run, but she trips on her hair. Genji berates her with years of pent up frustrations, but she remains unmoved and won't let him force himself on her. Genji feels ashamed by morning. He begs to see her occasionally in a nonromantic capacity, but Fujitsubo passionately says that she should die—though if she did, her love for Genji would keep her from finding salvation.

Distraught, Genji leaves and vows to make Fujitsubo feel sorry for him. He locks himself away and doesn't write to her. Fujitsubo spends days worried and disturbed, fearing that she needs to give up her title of empress to appease Kokiden. She resolves to become a nun and goes to see Reizei. While at court, she remembers why she can't live there: the stress of worrying about Kokiden is too much. She asks Reizei if he'd be sad if she left court and cut her hair, and he quietly says he'd miss her.

Genji ignores Reizei to punish Fujitsubo for her "cruelty." He attempts to avoid gossip by spending several days in a temple and is very affected by the holy life he observes there. He thinks the only reason he doesn't embrace the religious life is because of Murasaki. He writes to her often and she cries when she receives his letters. Genji is thrilled to see her writing style mature.

Genji also writes to Princess Asagao and asks to visit. Her response is cryptic though her handwriting is lovely, and Genji laments that he lost out on wooing two priestesses. Genji dedicates himself to studying Buddhist texts and finally, decides to return to Murasaki. He finds that she's even more beautiful and mature now, and he finds her very pleasing. He sends some branches of autumn leaves to Fujitsubo and Omyōbu, apologizing for his neglect. Fujitsubo blushes when she discovers a tightly folded note hidden in the leaves for her, but she doesn’t read it. She understands she needs to remain friendly with Genji for the sake of Reizei, and Genji realizes the same.

Genji returns to court to call on the Suzaku Emperor. Suzaku is aware that Genji is seeing Oborozukiyo but doesn't see any reason to caution him in the matter. They discuss all manner of things and finally, they talk about Reizei and Fujitsubo. As Genji leaves the emperor's chambers, one of Kokiden's nephews boldly insults Genji for being disloyal to Suzaku. This shakes Genji, but he continues on to see Fujitsubo. They exchange poems about their sadness and the space between them.

Because of the climate at court, Genji stops writing to Oborozukiyo. Eventually, she writes him a poem expressing her sadness that he hasn't visited. He replies that he's sad too and intends to return. On the anniversary of the Emperor's death, Fujitsubo prepares to read the Lotus Sutra for him. She and Genji exchange notes expressing their continued grief for the Emperor. The reading ceremony takes place in December and the hall is decorated beautifully. On the last day, Fujitsubo announces her plans to become a nun. This takes the assembly, including Genji and Prince Hyōbu, by surprise. Everyone weeps as she takes her vows and cuts her hair. Genji feels as though darkness has settled over him.

When the ceremony is over, Genji goes to speak to Fujitsubo. He's angry that she surprised them all, but Fujitsubo sends notes through Omyōbu that she didn't want to attract attention. Because there are others around, Genji can't tell her his true thoughts. Fujitsubo sends out a note that her heart remains with Reizei. Finally, Genji leaves.

Genji wonders what will happen to Reizei all night. In the morning, he throws himself into getting the nunnery ready for Fujitsubo and Omyōbu, who also decided to take vows. He and Fujitsubo see each other more often, though they don't spend the night together. As the New Year arrives, Fujitsubo dedicates herself to prayer. The customs that are normally festive and exciting seem sad now. As spring approaches, he and Fujitsubo continue to exchange poems. He tries not to weep, and women feel as though Genji is almost more beautiful now that he's not the darling of the court.

When the spring promotions are announced, Fujitsubo's household is passed over entirely. She devotes herself to prayer and reminds herself that Reizei's security is the most important thing. Genji, the Minister of the Left, and Tō no Chūjō are also slighted when the promotions are announced. Tō no Chūjō and Genji spend a great deal of time together, distracting themselves with music and poetry. Genji becomes more interested in religious ceremonies and commissions several prayers.

One summer evening, Tō no Chūjō brings a collection of Chinese poetry with him when he visits Genji. Genji pulls out his own volumes and sends invitations out for a poetry rhyming contest that evening. Genji is the best at guessing the rhymes. Two days later, Tō no Chūjō throws a banquet for the winners of the contest. They play music and Tō no Chūjō's son sings for the assembled men. The narrator records several of the poems that were composed but insists that others were composed under the influence of alcohol and aren't worth recording. They were all, however, in praise of Genji.

Oborozukiyo begins experiencing malaria attacks and so goes to spend time with her family. As she improves, she arranges to see Genji. They begin seeing each other every night. Genji takes great care to sneak in and out, as Kokiden is also around. One night, a terrible thunderstorm passes through. Everyone in the household rushes around in a panic and Genji fears he won't be able to sneak out. Finally, the storm passes, dawn comes, and with it, the Minister of the Right jauntily lifts Oborozukiyo's curtains to check on her. Oborozukiyo slips out, looking as though she's having another malaria attack, but the minister notices a man's sash in her skirts and a note on the ground.

The Minister of the Right lifts the curtains again and sees Genji in Oborozukiyo's bed, half undressed. The minister angrily leaves and Genji fears that this will cause quite the scandal. The minister immediately goes to Kokiden with the note. He rants that Genji used him by engaging with Oborozukiyo like this and calls Genji a disgrace to everyone. Kokiden takes this one step further, blaming Genji for slighting them and Oborozukiyo for letting Genji get the better of her. She insists that Genji is eager for the next emperor to take the throne. Feeling somewhat sheepish, the minister tells Kokiden to tell Oborozukiyo to be careful and to tell no one else. Kokiden, however, feels as though Genji personally insulted her.