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Blue trousers

Chapter 2: LIST OF MOST IMPORTANT PERSONS
By Murasaki Shikibu
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About This Book

The fourth section follows an influential courtier who seeks a secure future for his ward while managing gossip, rival ambitions, and fragile friendships. Parallel plots trace his son's thwarted love and the social maneuvering of powerful families, and episodes explore marriage negotiations, clandestine passions, and a haunting episode of domestic madness. Alternation between public ceremonies and private confidences exposes how reputation, rank, and desire shape decisions and fortunes. The narrative links discrete incidents into a portrait of court life that emphasizes responsibility, emotional restraint, and the personal costs of power and longing.

LIST OF MOST IMPORTANT PERSONS

Akashi, Lady ofBrought back by Genji from his place of exile.
Akashi, PrincessDaughter of the above.
AkikonomuDaughter of Rokujō. Consort of the Emperor Ryōzen.
AoiGenji’s first wife. Her death is recorded at the end of Vol. I.
Asagao, PrincessCourted by Genji.
Chūjō, LadyDaughter of Tō no Chūjō. Concubine of the Emperor Ryōzen.
Chūjō no OmotoMaid in service of Higekuro.
Crown Prince, TheSon of Suzaku. Afterward ascends the Throne. ‘The New Emperor’.
Emperor, The NewSee Crown Prince
Falling Flowers, Lady from the Village ofA mild and patient lady, entrusted with Yūgiri’s upbringing.
FujitsuboGenji’s stepmother. Secretly loved by him.
GenjiThe hero.
HigekuroHusband to Makibashira, who goes mad. Subsequently marries Tamakatsura.
Hyōbukyō, PrinceMurasaki’s father.
Jōkyōden, PrincessConsort of Suzaku.
KaoruSon of Nyosan and Kashiwagi. Supposed by the world to be Genji’s son.
KashiwagiSon of Tō no Chūjō. In love with Nyosan.
KōbaiKashiwagi’s brother.
KojijūMaid to Nyosan.
KoremitsuGenji’s favourite retainer.
Koremitsu’s Daughter‘The Gosechi dancer.’ Yūgiri takes a fancy to her at the time when he cannot get access to Kumoi.
KumoiTō no Chūjō’s daughter. Yūgiri’s wife;
MakibashiraHigekuro’s mad wife.
Moku no KimiMaid in service of Higekuro.
MurasakiGenji’s wife. The low rank of her mother prevented her ever being installed as kita no kata or ‘legitimate spouse.’
NiouSon of the New Emperor and the Akashi Princess. Genji’s grandson.
Nishi no MiyaMurasaki’s eldest sister.
NyosanFavourite daughter of the ex-Emperor Suzaku. Accepted by Genji as his kita no kata, in deference to Suzaku’s wishes. Loved by Kashiwagi.
OborozukiConsort of Suzaku. Formerly loved by Genji.
OchibaDaughter of Suzaku. Married to Kashiwagi; after his death, loved by Yūgiri.
Omi, Lady fromIllegitimate daughter of Tō no Chūjō.
Omiya, PrincessTō no Chūjō’s mother. Yūgiri’s maternal grandmother.
Rokujō, LadyLoved by Genji in his early days. Violently jealous of his other attendants.
Ryōzen, EmperorThought by the world to be the son of the Old Emperor (Genji’s father); but in reality son of Genji and the Old Emperor’s consort, Lady Fujitsubo.
SaishōMaid to Tamakatsura.
Sochi, Prince Genji’s half-brother.
Suzaku, Ex-EmperorGenji’s half-brother. Father of Nyosan and Ochiba.
TamakatsuraDaughter of Tō no Chūjō and Yūgao. Adopted by Genji.
Tō no ChūjōGenji’s great friend. Brother of Genji’s first wife, Aoi.
Yamato, Governor ofNephew of Ochiba’s mother.
YūgaoLoved by Genji in his youth. Withered by Rokujō’s jealousy. Dies in the deserted mansion (see vol. i, chap. iv).
YūgiriGenji’s son by Aoi