Lady Aoi's Life In The Tale Of Genji

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Recommended: Continuity and change over time Roles of women in Japan 1750 to 1900

Lady Aoi, the primary wife of the titular character of The Tale of Genji, serves as a perfect view into royal Heian life, and encapsulates the concept of an upper-class Heian woman. Her purpose in life is tied to the Heian court and her husband, Genji. By looking at her relationship with Genji, both physical and emotional, one can glimpse into the court of Heian Japan. Her life was tragically altered by the life and affairs of her husband, exemplifying the Heian woman's dependence on men. Genji, by marrying Lady Aoi, gained the political favor of the Minister of the Left and his clan. In regards to the marriage, “Her [Lady Aoi's] mother, the minister's first wife, was a princess of the blood. The crown prince had sought the girl's hand, but …show more content…

Within the court, Genji gains political clout via his affair with a concubine of Emperor Kiritsubo, Lady Fujitsubo, whom he impregnates. Most people in the court, including the emperor, believed the child to be from the emperor, so the child was made crown prince. “In the Second Month of the following year initiation ceremonies were held for the crown prince. He was eleven, tall and mature for his age, and the very image of Genji . . . Very pleased with his successor, the emperor in a most gentle and friendly way discussed plans for his own abdication” (Murasaki, p.317). This greatly benefits Genji as this child becomes emperor, and favors Genji even though he does not know their connection. He also has relations with Utsusemi, the wife of the Iyo Deputy, and Yūgao, Tō no Chūjō’s mistress, further perpetuating the infidelity within high-class Heian society. Among all of Genji's affairs, his most detrimental is with Lady Rokujō, a woman of high status who is the widow of a former crown prince. This affair alters the lives of two of Genji's …show more content…

Due to his affair, a spirit associated with Lady Rokujō possesses Yūgao after Genji sees Lady Rokujō in his dreams. This possession causes the death of Yūgao, whom Genji was very fond of. “He reached for the girl. She was not breathing. He lifted her and she was limp in his arms. There was no sign of life. She had seemed as defenseless as a child, and no doubt some evil power had taken possession of her” (Murasaki, p.50). Worse than this, Lady Aoi is also possessed by the spirit. After Genji's return to court, she becomes pregnant, and births Genji a son, Yūgiri. As Genji begins to appreciate Lady Aoi more, the possession takes her life. “The Sanjō mansion was almost deserted. Aoi was again seized with a strangling shortness of breath; and very soon after a messenger had been sent to court she was dead” (Murasaki, p.165). The cursed affair with Lady Rokujō cost Genji two dear women in his

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