Since I heard that you
were left behind by the one
gone in autumn mist,
I have wondered how it is
with you under these showers
- Meaning
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Since I heard she had gone from you in the autumn mist, I have wondered how these showery skies must look to you.
- Commentary
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Part One: Aoi
The Asagao princess answered in a faint hand with this poem. Her women said that this was not a time to leave a letter unanswered, and she thought so too, so she sent a single verse. Genji recognized in it the manner particular to her—distant, and yet never failing to meet an occasion that called for feeling. And he resolved that Murasaki no Ue should not be brought up to be like this.
"Autumn mist" marks the season of Aoi no Ue's death. "Tachiokurenu" is to be left behind by one who has gone, with "tatsu" working as an associated word with the mist. "Showery skies" does not appear in his poem but carries forward the imagery of these scenes. As condolence it is exactly sufficient, and it grants nothing whatever to his suit—the fine calibration of distance is the whole point of the poem.
- Author
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Murasaki Shikibu
- Source
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Genji Monogatari
- Other
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