Fujitsubo

Ebina Masao - Lady Kiritsubo-no-Koi - Illustration of chapter 1 of Genji monogatari (ca. 1950)

The plot

The story begins during the reign of Emperor Kiritsubo. Among the Emperor's numerous concubines there is a minor court lady called Kiritsubo-no-Koi (Lady of the Paulownias) . Though she was not from such a high-status family, she was in the Emperor's great favor and gave birth to the Emperor's second son, a beautiful baby, who was nicknamed Hikari-no-Kimi (Shining Prince). As she came from a modest family, Kiritsubo-no-koi had no support at the court and she became a target for the resentment and envy of other concubines. Most vehement of all was Kokiden no Taigo (Lady Kokiden consort), daughter of the Minister of the Right and mother of Emperor Kiritsubo's first son, Crown Prince Suzaku. The persecution against Kiritsubo-no-Koi was so furious that she was overcome with anxiety and finally passed away when Hikari-no-Kimi was only three years old. To protect his son, the emperor considered it better for Hikari-no-Kimi to be discharged from Imperial family membership, the Emperor lowered his status and Hikari-no-Kimi was given the family name Genji.

When Genji was ten years old Kiritsubo orders Fujitsubo (Lady of the Wisteria) to join the Imperial Court as one of his mistresses. She is a former Emperor's fourth daughter and bears a strong resemblance to the late Kiritsubo-no-Koi whom Emperor Kiritsubo cannot get out of his thoughts.

Two years later at the age of twelve Genji has his Coming-of-Age-Ceremony. The Minister of the Left takes charge of his instruction and in the same year Genji gets married to his daughter Aoi-no-Ue. Being a much more mature sixteen, this political wedding to a child does not suit her and their married life gets off to a rocky start. Aoi's brother To no Chujo, however, understands Hikari-no-Kimi's feelings and becomes one of his closest friends. Sometimes they are close and trusted confidants, at other times rivals and adversaries.

When Genji reaches seventeen he begins to exhibit his excellent talents out shining other nobles not only in his attractive appearance, but also in his abilities in scholarship, singing, dancing, poetry, and other areas. He misses Fujitsubo, who reminds him of his dead mother. What starts out as simple maternal affection for his step mother, however, gradually escalates into passionate love until finally he cannot control himself. One night, he sneaks into Fujitsubo's bedchamber and attains his desire by force. After this love affair Fujitsubo trembles with fear whenever she thinks of the sin which they have committed, but she is dazzled and overwhelmed by Genji's youth as well as his bold and ardent manner of courting. Although Genji wants to continue to see Fujitsubo, she is the First Lady of the Court, the Emperor's most beloved woman, therefore it is extremely difficult for Genji to arrange meetings. As a result his thwarted love turns to Rokujô-no-Miyasudokoro (Lady of Sixth-Avenue), widow of the emperor’s brother. Since her husband's death she is always surrounded by young court nobles, competing for her favor. In this rivalry, too, Hikari-no-Kimi outdoes the competition and is rewarded with her love. Thus he comes to visit her mansion regularly.

One day on his way to the mansion on Sixth avenue, he goes through Gojo (Fifth avenue) and catches a glance of a misfortunate woman. Her name is Yûgao, (Evening Glory) and once again he falls in love. One night in the midst of Genji and Yûgao's love talk a loud reverberating peal of thunder is heard and Yûgao is possessed by a spirit and dies. While this is happening Genji has a vision of Lady Rokujô's apparition calling down her curse upon Yûgao.

Genji is now 23 and is a commander. One day he manages to have a rendezvous with Fujitsubo, and their passion ignites once again. They have one secret meeting after another, and she becomes pregnant. She hides the fact from Genji and lies to the people about the time of impregnation. Ironically when she delivers, the baby boy Prince Reizei bears a striking resemblance to his supposed father (really his grandfather). Meanwhile Genji senses that he himself is the boy's true father, and this is confirmed in a dream. His love for Fujitsubo increases all the more when he realizes and feels sorry for the predicament in which he has placed her. A few weeks later, his wife, Aoi-no-Ue tells Genji that she is pregnant and this improves the relationship between them. On the other hand, when Rokujô-no-Miyasudokoro, with whom Genji has continued to have relations, finds out about Aoi-no-Ue's pregnancy, she feels fiercely jealous. Although Aoi-no-Ue safely delivers a baby boy named Yujiri (Evening mist), Lady Rokujo’s burning jealousy turns to a wrathful spirit that possesses and eventually kills Genji's wife.

About one year later, emperor Kiritsubo steps down from the throne in favor of his first son, Suzaku. Reizei, who is next in line for the throne, thereby becomes Crown Prince and Genji is ordered to be an advisor to the boy. When Kiritsubo passes away both Fujitsubo and Genji lose their greatest supporter at Court and gradually fall into a precarious position. On the first anniversary of Kiritsubo's death Fujitsubo retires to a convent for the sake of her son, the Crown Prince, and to put an end to her continued indiscretions with Genji. Genji turns his attention to Oborozukyo, a lady beloved of emperor Suzaku and lady-in-waiting to the Lady Kokiden consort. This affair cannot be concealed for long and is discovered, attracting the wrath of the Lady-of-Kokiden. Prince Genji has to resign from all posts and to go into exile.

The actor

Onoe Baiko VII (1915-1995) was a great onnagata actor, probably the best of the second half of the 20th century. His best role was Fuji Musume as illustrated in the series "Showa Butai Sugata" (Figures of Showa) scene)