The Uji chapters, a story of Kaoru and Niou after Genji’s death, are obviously different from the previous chapters as the main protagonist of the Tale of Genji, Genji, is not present; however these chapters also shares many similarity with the previous chapters as the story is continued with the characters related to Genji. As a result, the Uji chapters are often considered a resolution to the problems and conflicts begun in the rest of Genji. I disagree to this claim since I think a conclusion to the story of Genji has ended with his death. Although Kaoru and Niou are the consequence of Genji’s behavior in the previous chapters, it was challenging for me to find the Uji chapters as a resolution or conclusion to the Tale of Genji. In addition,
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Although Kaoru is not actual offspring of Genji, he is the result of the biggest conflict in the previous chapter. It is inevitable for the readers to compare him with Genji as Kaoru shares the characteristic of Genji. In addition, the existence of Niou, a grandson of Genji, reminds of the relationship between Genji and To no Chujo. There are also many scenes that are very similar to the scene in the previous chapter. For example, Kaoru’s obsessions to the Uji younger sister and Ukifune due to his unaccomplished feelings to the Uji older sister are just like how Genji gets attracted to the women related to the Fujitsubo and Yugao. In addition, although he marries to the second princess, Kaoru is more attracted to the first princess, which is similar to how his father, Kashiwagi, is attracted to the third princess even though he married with the second princess. A scene that Kaoru tires to seduce the Uji younger sister after she marries with Niou also reminds of Kashiwagi’s immoral approach to the third princess. While the main characters are changed, the Uji chapters’ similarity to the previous chapters makes me think that the storyline of these chapters can still make sense even if Kaoru and Niou are substituted by Genji and To no
Although Kaoru is not actual offspring of Genji, he is the result of the biggest conflict in the previous chapter. It is inevitable for the readers to compare him with Genji as Kaoru shares the characteristic of Genji. In addition, the existence of Niou, a grandson of Genji, reminds of the relationship between Genji and To no Chujo. There are also many scenes that are very similar to the scene in the previous chapter. For example, Kaoru’s obsessions to the Uji younger sister and Ukifune due to his unaccomplished feelings to the Uji older sister are just like how Genji gets attracted to the women related to the Fujitsubo and Yugao. In addition, although he marries to the second princess, Kaoru is more attracted to the first princess, which is similar to how his father, Kashiwagi, is attracted to the third princess even though he married with the second princess. A scene that Kaoru tires to seduce the Uji younger sister after she marries with Niou also reminds of Kashiwagi’s immoral approach to the third princess. While the main characters are changed, the Uji chapters’ similarity to the previous chapters makes me think that the storyline of these chapters can still make sense even if Kaoru and Niou are substituted by Genji and To no