The Tale of Genji - pg. 60

"I would not be known for flitting lightheartedly to every flower
but this bluebell this morning I would be sad not to pick.

What do you suggest?" he said, taking her hand; but she replied with practised wit,

"Your haste to be off before morning mists are gone makes it all to plain,
so I should say, that your heart cares little for your flower,"

The Tale Of Genji - Opening

1
KIRITSUBO
The Paulownia Pavilion

In a certain reign (whose can it have been?) someone of no very great rank, among all His Majesty's Consorts and Intimates enjoyed exceptional favor. Those others who had always assumed that pride of place was properly theirs despised her as a dreadful woman, while the lesser Intimates were unhappier still.

For Susan

First published in the Unites States of America by Viking Penguin,
a member of Penguin Putnam Inc. 2001
Published in Penguin Books 2003

Translation, introduction, and notes copyright Royall Tyler, 2001
All rights reserved.
Illustrations on pp. 5--1107 reproduced by permission of the artist and original publisher.
Copyright Minoru Sugai and Shogakukan Publishing Company.

Printed in the United States of America
Set in Weiss
Designed by Jay Zimet