The Tale of Genji: chapters 10-11, politics, mono no aware

1/ I’m in awe of Murasaki Shikibu’s control over her hundreds of characters. 
It’s difficult enough to read and keep track of them, writing is obviously much harder. The relationships are much more complicated than in War and Peace, but the characters are still distinct and memorable, in spite of their lack of names. 
Brian Phillips wrote a brilliant essay about her genius, and about The Tale of Genji as a modern novel:
https://twitter.com/nguyenhdi/status/1269261354290069504 
The Tale of Genji should be more widely read. It may be early for me to say, but I’m already inclined to think it’s among the best. From afar, it might seem to be a challenge because it’s from the 11th century and the characters don’t have names. However, the characters are distinct enough to remember, as long as you make notes of their changing titles and relationships. 
As for it being written in the 11th century, the world depicted is certainly alien and its culture may be strange, but the techniques are surprisingly modern. The Tale of Genji forces me to rethink everything about world literature and the history of literature. Up till now, I’ve mostly read novels from the 19th century and 20th century, novels that are part of the Western canon. Now I’ve realised that in 11th century Japan, Murasaki Shikibu had already figured it all out about how to write a psychological novel. 

2/ At the beginning, The Tale of Genji seems to be about an Emperor’s good-looking son who sleeps around with everyone, but it becomes darker and more complex as the story goes on. 
There are some hints in chapter 1, but after a while there is a clear sense of threat, and the politics become more obvious. I understood that the Emperor didn’t want to appoint Genji the new Heir Apparent, even though he’s the favourite, because the Kokiden Consort belongs to a powerful clan whilst Genji’s mother doesn’t have anyone to back her. The Emperor means to protect Genji. I didn’t fully grasp it until later on, with the change in reign, followed by the death of the retired Emperor, and the new power dynamics. 
All of Genji’s women are interesting in different ways but the affair with Fujitsubo is the most fascinating, because of the politics, and because she’s tortured by guilt and fear of discovery and revenge. Their affair is doomed from the start, and always darkened by a sense of threat. 
Interestingly, Genji’s affair with Fujitsubo brings about a disruption of the hierarchy. 

3/ There is a central philosophy that runs through the entire novel: mono no aware. 
Mono no aware is a Japanese concept that doesn’t have an exact equivalent in English, and is usually translated as “the pathos of things” or more literally “the aah-ness of things”. It refers to the awareness of the transience of life, but doesn’t necessarily mean sorrows—it is more like the acceptance and celebration of impermanence. 
From Kenkō: 

“If man were never to fade away like the dews of Adashino, never to vanish like the smoke over Toribeyama, how things would lose their power to move us! The most precious thing in life is its uncertainty.” 
(source) 

In Japan today, the most frequently cited example of mono no aware is the love of cherry blossoms, but the philosophy goes back to Heian literature and The Tale of Genji. 

“The well known literary theorist Motoori Norinaga brought the idea of mono no aware to the forefront of literary theory with a study of The Tale of Genji that showed this phenomenon to be its central theme. He argues for a broader understanding of it as concerning a profound sensitivity to the emotional and affective dimensions of existence in general. The greatness of Lady Murasaki’s achievement consists in her ability to portray characters with a profound sense of mono no aware in her writing, such that the reader is able to empathize with them in this feeling.” (source) 

Reading The Tale of Genji, we’re aware of nature’s beauty and its changing nature—dew, the moon at different times of the month, blooming and falling flowers, changing seasons… There’s also a sense of transience that permeates the entire work—an awareness of the impermanence and uncertainty of life. 
Genji, for all his faults, is a deeply sensitive character, and he has a profound sense of mono no aware. Up till now, he has lost 5 people close to him. Their deaths are more than plot devices to move the plot forward, and not merely characters being killed off—each death seems to have a profound impact on Genji, each death is a great loss. 

4/ Here is an updated list of Genji’s women. 
Spoiler alert: if you don’t want spoilers, stop reading here and go buy The Tale of Genji. 
- Aoi: Genji’s first wife. He is arranged marriage with her after his coming-of-age ritual—he’s 12, she’s 16. Aoi is daughter of the Minister of the Left and the Princess, the Emperor’s sister, so Aoi and Genji are first cousins. She’s distant. They have a son known as Yugiri. 
- Fujitsubo: the Emperor’s concubine, who is said to look like his dead concubine the Kiritsubo Haven (Kiritsubo no Koi), Genji’s mother. Later on, Fujitsubo and Genji have an affair, and have a child together, Reizei, who becomes Heir Apparent with the change of reign. She is Consort at the beginning, then becomes the Empress (Her Majesty), then becomes Her Cloistered Eminence (when the Emperor retires), then becomes a nun. Tortured by guilt and fear. 
- Utsusemi: married to the Iyo Deputy (Iyo no Suke) and stepmom of the Governor of Kii (Ki no Kami). She is distant and plays hard to get, but that doesn’t stop Genji harassing her, using her brother Kogimi (poor kid). Associated with the cicada, because in her flight she leaves behind her gown, like a cicada shell.
- The lady from the West Wing (Nobika no Ogi): sister of the Governor of Kii and stepdaughter of Utsusemi. The first time Genji sees her, they’re playing Go together. He finds her whilst looking for Utsusemi (chapter 3), but takes her anyway, because a woman is a woman, I guess? Associated with reed because Genji attaches it to his letter. She marries the Chamberlain Lieutenant. 
- Yugao: called twilight beauty. She is To no Chujo’s ex and has a child with him known as Tamakazura. 19 years old. When Genji meets her in chapter 4, she’s hiding near the house of Koremitsu, Genji’s confidant, because of To no Chujo’s wife’s jealousy. Later she becomes a victim of someone else’s jealousy. 
- The Rokujo Haven (Rokujo no Miyasudokoro): widow of a former Heir Apparent. Older than Genji, neglected by him, and humiliated by Aoi’s people. Her jealousy takes the form of a spirit that fatally attacks other women. 
- Murasaki: Fujitsubo’s niece and daughter of His Highness of War. Resembles Fujitsubo. Also called the lady of Genji’s west wing. 10 when Genji meets her for the first time and abducts her. She is Genji’s ideal woman project. Associated with the colour violet (murasaki). 
- Suetsumuhana: also called the red-nosed woman. The Hitachi Prince’s daughter. She is ugly and boring, with nothing to say. Genji thinks she has nothing to offer, but has an affair with her anyway, in chapter 6. Associated with the safflower because of its dye. 
- The Aging Dame of Staff (Gen no Naishi): an old horny staff woman for the Emperor, of about 57-58. Genji’s close friend To no Chujo also pursues her out of curiosity but she only wants Genji. Genji becomes involved with her in chapter 7. 
- Asagao: daughter of His Highness of Ceremonial. I’m not sure when the affair starts. In chapter 10, she becomes the High Priestess of the Kamo Shrine, but Genji doesn’t leave her alone—when does he ever leave anyone alone? 
- Oborozukiyo: sixth daughter of the Minister of the Right and sister of the Kokiden Consort (who in chapter 9 becomes the Empress Mother with the change of reign). Associated with misty moon, or moon at dawn, because of Genji’s poem. Genji starts sleeping with her in chapter 8. Later she becomes Mistress of the Wardrobe, then Mistress of Staff, then moves into Kokiden when the Empress Mother (previously Kokiden Consort) moves to Umetsubo. If I understand it correctly, chapter 10 says that she’s married to the new Emperor (Suzaku), i.e. her nephew (I know). The new Emperor knows about her affair with Genji and makes no reproaches, but doesn’t appoint her a Consort. Her father and sister get into a rage when they find out. 
- Hanachirusato: sister of the Reikeiden Consort. Her sister was the late Emperor’s Consort, but not among the favourites. In chapter 11, it is subtle, but I think Genji has been involved with her. Associated with falling flowers.