Tale Of Genji Lavender Character Analysis

Genji’s Future Love Within The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu, chapter three titled “Lavender” stands out to encompass many Chinese ideals that help further understand their history and way of life. Throughout the entirety of chapter three, Genji develops a deep interest for a young girl named Murasaki, and the chapter sheds insight on the chase of women and indirectness. In order to fully understand Shikibu’s claims throughout the chapter, it is imperative to unpack the details within the chapter, analyze Genji’s relationship with Murasaki, grasp how other characters react to her and how she fits into Genji’s entourage. Chapter Three initially starts with Genji “suffering from repeated attacks of malaria” (Shikibu, 1985, p. 65). Due to his illness, he is seeking treatment from an old healing sage in the northern hills. Genji kept quiet about his quest for treatment, but upon arrival, despite being in a disguise, the sage was able to recognize he was “someone of importance” (Shikibu, 1985, p. 66). While in the midst of receiving medicines, Genji walked a few steps from the cave to take in the scenery around him. Upon this action, he notices a house …show more content…
However, his actions mirror the way he was able to lure in Evening Faces, which tells the reader that his intentions superficial and rather insincere. In both pursuits, Genji was attracted to them, he used poetry to impress and display intelligence, and he takes them away. There were many “red flags” that Genji could have been apparent to throughout his pursuit such as Shonogon telling him she is too young, the bishop indirectly denying him the girl, and seeing the girl weep. Despite the red flags, Genji would not be denied bringing Murasaki home to his