The Lady of Akashi

EAST 255W

May 08, 2008

The lady of Akashi

The daughter of Akashi Novice has indirectly been introduced by the author from early of the chapter. Although in the chapter prior the author does not specifically mention or shows the characteristics of Akashi lady, she often appears as a greatest concern of Novice. In the chapter of Young Murasaki, Akashi lady is just a conversation between Genji and a holy man; she does not have relation or impact on Genji’s life. However, the lady of Akashi reappears again when Genji is in exile, and Akashi lady’s characteristics have been portrayed significantly unlike Genji’s other ladies. The presentation of Akashi lady’s personality and persona, perhaps, is immersed with the author herself as a self-portrait.

Akashi lady has always been the greatest worry for Akashi Novice. Genji’s exile becomes an opportunity for Novice to arrange his daughter’s future with Genji. Novice truly believes that his daughter’s destiny is fatedly connected with Genji. At which point, author gradually starts depicting Akashi lady’s personality. When Genji try to approach Akashi lady, she completely ignores and resists Genji’s attention, such as the letter he wrote to her. Even thought she’s a country girl from the seashore, she has both of good looks and good character; she has been educated well in terms of writing and music. However, her good education does not make her think highly of herself. Instead she feels inferior when it comes to having association with a royalty like Genji. She sees this relationship as only an entertainment for Genji, a high rank royalty, and she is afraid of not being valued or respected. Therefore when she faces Genji’s approach she is skeptical about where it leads to. Indeed she might seem like a person of thoughtful consideration, however full of concerns and with hesitant responses that only reflects her low self-esteem.

Akashi lady always has concerns on her low rank background. She...