Chapter X: Part I (3)

[87] Since Aoi’s death Genji had no wife, Murasaki being technically only a chief concubine, her mother’s low rank making it impossible for her to be a _kita no kata_ or ‘legitimate consort.’

[88] A Chinese custom, imitated by the Japanese Court.

[89] They must have been about four and three years old.

[90] On the third day after the arrival of a bride the husband notified the bride’s father that the marriage had been consummated and was likely to prove a success.

[91] ‘Though black this night of spring, what guide need we save the scent of their blossoms to guide us whither the plum-trees bloom?’

[92] That Murasaki might not see.

[93] Barely fourteen.

[94] _Aki_ means ‘autumn,’ but also ‘to be tired of,’ and there is the secondary meaning: ‘Is the day when Genji will grow tired of me near at hand?’

[95] Aoi’s death in childbirth.

[96] The second month.

[97] Not to be born in the City was regarded as a severe social disqualification, whoever the parents might be. In the narrative she is called the Princess from Akashi; but it must not be supposed that she was ever so addressed.

[98] ‘The heart’s darkness,’ _kokoro no yami_, is the love of parent for child.

[99] By sending this representative the Crown Prince acknowledged paternity of the child.

[100] The original object of dolls is to divert evil influences from the child.

[101] Kōbai was now a member of the Grand Council.

[102] The four goal-posts were a pine-tree, a maple, a willow and a cherry-tree, growing in tubs.

[103] Fujiwara no Yoshikaze, 9th century.

[104] Always served to footballers.

[105] In section 99 of the _Tales of Isé_ the poet ‘sees, yet does not see,’ a lady in her carriage at the summer race-meeting.