Though this body has
changed into a nun's habit,
shall I lay hold of
a sleeve, and remember by
it the world that once was mine

Meaning

Though this body has changed into a nun's habit, shall I lay hold of a sleeve and by it remember the world that once was mine?

Commentary

Part Three: Tenarai

　After the Governor of Kii's visit, talking with the elder nun, Ukifune spoke this. Even as a nun, she wonders, might she not send something to the service Kaoru is preparing, and so hold to the past through it. Soon after, Kaoru hears the Bishop's story from Kozaisho no Kimi in the Akashi Empress's presence, learns that Ukifune is alive, and sets out for Yokawa. The Tenarai chapter closes here.

　Amagoromo is the dark habit of one who has taken vows. "A body that has changed" is a body in that habit. Katami is a keepsake by which the dead are remembered, and to use the word of herself is to place herself among the dead. Sode o kakete is to lay hold of a sleeve, and belongs with the words of clothing. The inversion by which a living woman puts herself on the side of the keepsake states her position in this chapter exactly.

Author

Murasaki Shikibu

Source

Genji Monogatari

Other

Though this body has changed into a nun's habit, shall I lay hold of a sleeve, and remember by it the world that once was mine

Though this body has
changed into a nun's habit,
shall I lay hold of
a sleeve, and remember by
it the world that once was mine