NET Playhouse; 51; Tale of Genji. Part 3

National Educational Television presents NET Playhouse. The annual Cherry Blossom Party held in the palace is not a new event to Prince Genji. However, he has never attended the party with such feelings of loneliness and despair. We will explain the cause of this unhappiness. Prince Genji is intensely in love with his stepmother, Lady Fujitsubo, the wife of Genji's father, the Emperor.

Lady Fujitsubo is said to resemble Genji's own mother. Henceforth, his love is destined to be unrequited for Lady Fujitsubo has become the Empress. Although his heart, like his house, is always open, although he seeks affection from other women, these affairs leave him unfulfilled. The illicit love for Lady Fujitsubo, which he finds he cannot renounce, weighs heavily on his shoulders. Let us go back to another early spring two years ago when Genji was 18 years old. Lady Fujitsubo was never very healthy, but this time she seemed to know what her problem might be.

Lady Fujitsubo is going to have a baby. I didn't think she was strong enough. However sickly a woman is, it does not mean she will never bear a child. Father, we shouldn't wait any longer. Please make me the Empress. Lady Fujitsubo's chance to become Empress is now much better. You talk as if it were no concern of yours. The other day, his majesty said you already have all the qualities of an Empress Dowager. Did you agree with him? No, I did not. Genji's father-in-law, Sadayajin, said that since you can become the Empress Dowager, once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he would recommend Fujitsubo as the Empress. Sadayajin must be up to something again.

Well, he expresses those things in his typical, sincere manner. That's why his majesty himself trusts the man. It's your job, father, as Udayajin, as Minister of the Right to defeat Sadayajin, isn't it? I cannot stand the idea of Lady Fujitsubo becoming Empress. Why do you want to become the Empress so badly? For the same reason, you seek the position of Prime Minister. You are ruthless. At any rate, I am the mother of the Crown Prince, the daughter of the Minister Udayajin, and I've been serving in the palace for over 20 years. Is it proper to make Lady Fujitsubo the Empress instead of me? I understand how you feel. Then please don't wait, father. I wanted settled before Lady Fujitsubo has a baby. I understand she is in her fifth month. Isn't it curious? Why wasn't this known earlier?

She was ill. If she is that sickly, can she really have a healthy child? No, I am sorry. Why don't you let me through? I've told you I've just come to wish her well. It's so late. Everybody in the palace seems to know about Lady Fujitsubo's pregnancy. Yet I heard it from one of the guards. Wasn't it your responsibility to let me know? I only reported it to his Majesty. Lady Fujitsubo told me that would be enough. Do you believe that you've done your duty? I will tell her that you came to wish her well. I want to see her. She is not feeling well.

Besides, she is exhausted from having to receive frequent messages from his Majesty. When were you given the authority to turn back a visitor on your own? All you have to do is let her know I am here. Lady Fujitsubo probably won't see you. In other words, you are no longer willing to help me. My mistress is Lady Fujitsubo. You have taken me to Lady Fujitsubo's room before. Once in the spring last year and again three months ago. Isn't that a secret between us? I'm told she is in the fifth month. I've told that to his Majesty. Do you want to see it with my own eyes? What do you want to see? Do you want to make sure it's your own child? I have not come here to discuss it with you. And I can go inside without your help. I know where she is. If you do not behave yourself, you might damage your reputation.

You seem determined not to let me see her. It is my duty. Has anyone been here? I heard the sound of a horse. Nobody important. Just a messenger. I see. This is a mix. Ucon! Is there anyone in this house? Excuse me.

Excuse me. I will prepare the ink for you. Well, it has certainly become merrier in this house ever since the preparations for the young lady in the West Wing have begun. When one of sedicons retainers was here the other day, he asked all sorts of questions about young Murasaki. How fast the rumor spreads. However, I just told him that I didn't know much about her. The young lady missed the temple and wept a great deal at first.

But nowadays, she seems to feel quite at home here. You haven't been to see the young lady, have you? You haven't been to the court either. You just include yourself here as if you were observing a ritual abstention. Some of the servants are saying that you have completely changed. Pink flower. How I adore you. Although you remind me a flower is no substitute for my own child. You must be worrying about something. Aren't you trespassing of boundaries I made? Excuse my impudence. As lady Fujitsu Bo's delivery approached,

the emperor and Fujitsu Bo's family gathered all the necessary paraphernalia and waited for the hour to come. A month has passed since the expected date. It is rumored that an evil spirit is delaying the delivery. Prince Genji has unobtrusively been asking various temples to offer prayers for her. Inside the delivery room, the high priest prays unceasingly for a safe birth. In the traditional all-white room, lady Fujitsu Bo rests clad in white. A baby's born. It's a prince. We've just received a dispatch from lady Fujitsu Bo's family.

You're going to have a younger brother. Congratulations. Thank you. His majesty must be extremely happy. He's had many children. Yet this baby must delight him more than all the others. Except for Prince Genji. Why? After all, his majesty loved your mother most of all. I don't think even lady Fujitsu Bo receives as much attention. I even assume that you are going to become the crown prince. I suggest we all join his majesty to celebrate with him the birth of the new prince. I will join you. As a member of the royal family, maybe you shouldn't join us. I am also one of his subjects. You have such a strong sense of propriety. I am now going to celebrate the birth of my own child.

It was a year ago in April the young prince, one year of age, attended by his mother, lady Fujitsu Bo, met his legal father, the emperor, for the first time. I looked all over the place, but she is nowhere to be found. Can she be with the emperor by any chance? What on earth are you all gossiping about? Don't you have enough to do? This palace is full of people. Even the off-duty noblemen are coming to have one glance at the young prince. Where is lady Fujitsu Bo?

No one sees us. It is to our advantage when there are a lot of people milling around. You shouldn't have brought me to a place like this. I didn't think you would come. You almost forced me to come by pulling me here. What do you intend to do if someone finds us together like this? Listen to me. I understand you are going to be Empress. Once you become the Empress, we shall never have an opportunity to meet alone. You will be beyond my reach.

What do you want? How is the young prince? Is this the day he begins to stay at the palace? I want to see him. His majesty told me he resembles me. Is that true? He said the same thing to me. He also said maybe all babies look alike when they are really small. Or maybe all the extraordinary children resemble each other. And he also said, when the prince grows up, I will ask Prince Kenney to be his patron. Please let me see him. Never mind this majesty. I want to hold the baby in my arms. How dare you say such a thing. Have you no regard for his majesty's feelings? Does the young prince really look like me? His majesty says so. What do you say? The young prince is our child, isn't he?

No. We have met only twice during these last three years. However, I know what you are thinking. And I know what your desires are. He is our child, isn't he? Don't lie to me. What makes you so sure of it? I know. Stop it. You have nothing to do with the young prince. He is mine. Now that is what happened during the past two years. Let us rejoin the present. She is my child. It's getting chilly. Shall we go to the party?

You dance so superbly. Everybody at the party is talking about you. Though you are my son-in-law, I am very proud of you. His majesty was very pleased too. I was unable to hear Lady Fujitsu's impressions since she suddenly fell sick and had to leave. Something must be bothering you. I would be honored if you would like to confide in me. The wisdom of an old man might be of some help. Would you mind going to the party without me? I would like to be alone. All right.

Come as soon as you can. Night and dew is bad for your health. Genji's heart, like his house, is always open. Nothing is so beautiful as the spring moon hanging in a sky which is neither clear nor cloudy. What are you thinking as you look at the moon? Well, it has nothing to do with you. And who are you? You must have some reason for walking around in a place like this so late at night. Aren't you afraid of me? I made you a highway man.

Well, I've never met a highway man. I wish I could meet one someday. I know of a man who stole a wife from his own father. She is the man's stepmother. The two met only twice, but she bore him a boy. Or was it a girl? Now, the man's father was delighted. Oh, he didn't know it was not his child. According to a rumor that child is the image of the real father. Now, the real father was dying to see the baby, but the woman wouldn't consent. She convinced everybody that it was a husband's bed and then tried to sever the relationship with the man. For heaven's sake, that really is highway robbery. The real father must be an extraordinary person. However, I envy the woman. What for? The woman also must be spending sleepless nights.

When a woman falls in love, she is prepared to go through that kind of hardship. You talk as though you knew everything. Is that story about yourself? Oh, no. Dut me, I am just an ordinary man. Did the moonlight make you mad? No, I am calm. Well, it doesn't matter, it does it. Why are you weeping? It was your first experience, wasn't it? You were just pretending, weren't you?

You talk very candidly. I wish you could talk to me a little more gently. I want to enjoy this romance. I see. I had expected Prince Genji to be a little more gentle. So you know my name? I recognized you as soon as I saw you. You did? What was your first impression? I was hoping that my restricted life would be a little gayer if I made your acquaintance. And what do you want from life? I am always left behind my older sisters. Eventually I will be married off to a dull man whom I don't love. My future is limited. I am a dull person myself.

I have no chance of improving my luck. Everybody in the palace talks about you. They say someday you are going to be an influential minister. Don't they say I am fickle? Well men are all alike in that respect, aren't they? I don't mind. Are you saying you've befriended me because you think my future is bright? Yes, that's right. You are thinking of someone else, aren't you? I don't like that. Who are you? Didn't you know? I thought you knew all about every single young lady of each family. How many predecessors do I have? I must have missed you in my investigation. Shall I give you a clue?

Genji wasn't particularly impressed with the woman who appeared in front of him like a fairy on a spring night. For Prince Genji, who longed for Lady Fujitsubo and their child, anybody could have served the purpose of relieving his pain. This woman of the misty moon is a younger sister of Kokiden, who bitterly opposes Genji. It is the day of the Kamo Festival, and the carriage belonging to Lady Aoi, Prince Genji's wife,

and the carriage belonging to his mistress Miyasandokoro, the widow of the late Crown Prince, en route to the parade, find themselves face to face on a narrow road, and neither will give way, and their retainers battle it out. They get ahead because they are so stubborn. No, they are stubborn because they are aristocrats. It's vulgar to fight against Miyasandokoro in public.

Tell the driver to move on. Lady Aoi is obviously challenging me, even though she is hearing cognito. If I give way, I'll never be able to stand up to her. If they are blocking our way, climb over them. Emperor Kiritsubu, Genji's father, abdicated, and the new emperor Sujaku ascended the throne. Genji, now 22 years old, has been promoted to the position of Udayisho, general of the right. Lady Fujitsubu and her son by Genji live with the ex-emperor.

This child has become the new Crown Prince. Prince Genji secretly watches over his son. It was just about this time that Lady Aoi became pregnant, and the baby was due any day when she went out to see the festival parade. You don't have a fever, do you? And how is your appetite? You are being so thoughtful. You became ill because you were silly enough to go out to watch the commoperate. Fortunately, nothing serious has happened to you. What will you do if anything happens to our baby? Thank you for your kind concern. Welcome. Welcome to our house.

I was worried because I heard my wife was not well. Happens when did you become such a doting husband? Genji is kind to me because the delivery is near. What's wrong with that? It is quite natural for a man who is about to become a father. In comparison, you were very in discreet. Why in the world did you have to fight over the right of way? I beg your pardon. What are you talking about? You mean you don't know. What? No one has told you then? What a fight! You were in the parade too, weren't you? My sister's carriage in Miyasandokuros fought over the best vantage point to see the parade. Each insisted on the right of way and created quite a commotion. The streets were full of people that day because the carriages of noble ladies line both sides of the avenue.

My sister had difficulty finding a place for her carriage. As she was searching for a space, she ran into Miyasandokuros carriage which appeared from the opposite direction. Since the avenue had been narrowed by innumerable carriages and by the crowd, neither party could yield. And presently, they began to fight over who should move out of the way. The retainers of both parties exchanged blows, grappled with each other. The handle of Miyasandokuros carriage was broken, the bamboo curtain was torn, and in the end, my sister's party won. But what caused? She is now sick. No bamboo curtain was torn. Did I exaggerate a little? You must be a little more careful, but what you say? I'm sorry. Why didn't anyone stop the fight? Everybody was afraid to get involved in the trouble and pretended not to notice the commotion. What a childish thing to do.

I quite agree, but my daughter must have some explanation. Besides, you can't blame her for being proud of the fact that she is going to give birth to Prince Genji's child. Is that so, Aoi? I wasn't feeling well that day, father, and was quite excited. I understand it's not unusual for a woman to act like that before childbirth. My father chants Huta every morning, praying that my sister will have an easy delivery. Please excuse me for a second. Where are you going? I have a chore to attend to. You must share my daughter's feelings with Prince Genji. Since this is going to be your first experience, too? Yes, I do. On the same day, Prince Genji went to see Miyasandokoro.

He was afraid something horrible might happen to Aoi if he did not pacify Miyasandokoro's high anger. He did not wish any mishap to more Aoi's safe delivery. I came to apologize to you. You frightened my daughter away. I must be disliked. When the new Emperor sends the throne, it is customary to change the Saegu, the Imperial Emperor. My daughter has been chosen to be the new Saegu. She hopes I will go to Isai with her. But she believes you are standing in the way. Poor child, I never meant it that way. Do you want me to marry you? Yes, I do.

Do you want me to go to Isai? I understand there was some commotion on the day of the Commonwealth Festival. Unfortunately, I did not hear about it until today. Oh, that. I apologize. Slight damage was done to the stand on which the handles of the carriage rest. That's all. Some say the damage was much more extensive. The stand was smashed and the handle was broken. A better. I'm not disturbed about it any longer. Aren't you? I know your disposition and thought you must be furious. How is it, Lady Aoi? She seems to be getting more and more lonesome. I suppose you and Lady Aoi cannot think of anything but a baby.

Sometimes I wonder if I should go to Isai with my daughter. Are you forsaking me because I'm not worthy of you? I hope to share the rest of my life. It is not I who forsakes you. It is you who forsakes me. The trip must be your decision. I'm sorry I can't help you. And I'm sorry for complaining so much. If you can visit here again, don't apologize or act to Spokesman. Well, Lady Aoi.

While the priests pray for a safe delivery, the lady is in waiting gossip. It should have been born by now. I told you she's going to have a difficult delivery because someone's curse is upon her. I know, I know, I want to know what ghost is haunting her. Yet how is it possible when we have decorated the whole room in white to keep such spirits away? Do you remember Lady Aoi's nurse who died young? Do you suppose it is her spirit? I understand the priest who is praying is second only to the chief priest at Mount Heye. And according to him, the type of spirit you are talking about cannot have this kind of effect. Even the evil spirit who hated her father has been removed. They say there is one spirit which stays with her and never leaves.

I believe it is one of Prince Genji's lady friends. No, not any of those. It may be the young lady whom he keeps at the knee-jaw estate. Or it could be Mia Sondocoro who lives at Roku-jaw estate. The former emperor told Prince Genji to take care of her, you know. Father, you are as restless as a man who was about to become a father for the first time. In comparison, Prince Genji looks so calm that one might think he has already experienced this several times. Do I look that calm? Yes, you do. Strange isn't it?

Strange is still you have been staying in this house for some time now, haven't you? Isn't that natural? My child is about to be born. I have been longing to hold my own child in my arms. You have? Really? Was he born? Congratulations. Which is it? A boy. Well done. Just as I had planned. If that boy should become the crown prince, your dream will be realized. Let me congratulate you, Prince Genji. Thank you. At last I am entitled to call myself a father. Do you like him?

A while ago I saw the woman who was going to nurse this baby. She looks very healthy. I'm sure she'll be a good nurse. I never expected to see you so happy. You've been staying here all this time, haven't you? Don't you have to go back to Nizhou Estate? No, I don't have to. A very reliable man isn't charged there. We've been married for ten years now. As I watched you divide your attention among different women, I noticed even my hatred disappeared. I had completely given up the hope of having you with me.

I will stay with you from now on. Please get well soon. I feel ready to die now. Don't be silly. You are not that ill. You'll be well again soon. Don't be silly. Don't be silly.

Call the priest. Where is the priest? Hurry up and burn the incense. At Rokujo, her estate, Miyosandokoro alone and at night washes her long, long hair. Smells.

It smells of incense. Why does it smell? I've been sick in bed. Do I somehow unconsciously hate Prince Genji's cold attitude taught me? No, I don't think so. They say Lady Aoi has not been well after the childbirth. They say an evil spirit won't leave her. Do you say it's my fault? Do you say I've been harboring resentment against Lady Aoi since I was shamed by her on that festival day? Yes. Now I remember. While I was sick, I lost consciousness for a moment. First I was half asleep. Then I had dreams.

Then I went to a woman who looked like Lady Aoi. I scratched and slapped her. I don't remember what happened next. Did my soul wander away from my body? Smells. Even my kimono smells. I just changed my clothes. Oh, it's unbearable. Miosandho Koro's spirit, activated by jealousy and the hateful heart, stares at the embroidered silks that symbolize Aoi.

Hateful heart, oh, hateful heart, what a deep blue to the hatred. A flame of jealousy smolders in the heart of Miosandho Koro. A flame of jealousy smolders in the heart of Miosandho Koro.

A flame of jealousy smolders in the heart of Miosandho Koro. Stop the prayer. Please, I'm suffocating. Quiet, vengeful spirit of the woman. Please forgive me. It is a horrifying thing to observe a woman's jealousy. Johara Asantamenobu is recommended as Mimbuno Daijo.

Comments. It is a terrifying thing to observe a woman's jealousy. It is a terrifying thing to observe a woman's jealousy. It is a terrifying thing to observe a woman's jealousy. Your wife is worse. Is she dying?

Her condition is critical. Aoi is dying. Excuse us. Our clan is unable to participate in this meeting any longer. Aoi. She had a short life.

Isn't the Buddha merciless to carry her away to the world of the dead, leaving the newborn baby behind? Aoi must feel at home in heaven. I've been waiting. I've been hoping that my sister might breathe again, that she might be revived. Can anyone laugh at me if I cry? At this old age I have survived my own young daughter. Any physical pain would be easier to endure. How helpless we humans are. There is nothing we can do for now.

Lady Aoi's corpse was cremated under a white moon before the dawn. In the crematory of Toribano on August 20th. The field was filled with people who knew Lady Aoi as the beloved daughter of Sadayajan and as the wife of Prince Genji. After the funeral Prince Genji clad in mourning secluded himself at her father's estate and prayed for 49 days for Lady Aoi's happiness in heaven. Is this what you would like to wear today?

Why don't you dress more properly yourself to welcome Prince Genji? When he is not around, his house becomes depressing. 49 days of mourning. Before that he must have stayed away a month or so, taking care of Lady Aoi. Because her mother who was hated by Herbanochio's wife died young. Murasaki was raised by one of her relatives at a temple in the North Hills. Prince Genji discovered her four years ago when he was deeply in love with Lady Fujitsubo. He found some resemblance of his love in this young girl and took her with him almost by force to his estate. Prince Genji has just returned.

I have not seen you for a long time. Welcome back. I must report to you everything that happened here during your absence. First of all, the annual tribute from the manor in Uji was received. The amount was... Yes, sir. Did my servant Courtney Tsurait to me? No, he hasn't. I hear he is still not well. That man can't even write a letter when he becomes weak. Murasaki has grown up so much in the short time I've been away. Hashi, I didn't know her when she was younger. What kind of person is she? Didn't Courtney Tsurait tell you about her?

He just told me that you brought her here with her maid, Shona Gon, from a temple in the North Hills. Then you know enough. I'm sorry. Ukan, wasn't your former mistress of high rank? When she met Prince Genji, she wasn't difficult circumstances. Did she do anything criminal? Of course not. I told you before she was hiding from a certain gentleman. It is repulsive to be chased by a man you don't like. It's said so in the book I read the other day. Please Murasaki, be a little more discreet. It was in the book you loaned me. Ukan, Murasaki, unlike your former mistress, doesn't know anything about the world. Please be a little more careful in what you say to her. Prince Genji used to say my mistress was as lovely as an evening flower.

It's been five years since I first came to this house to stay. I didn't know what to do when she died. Prince Genji has tried to locate the child of Yu Gao and his closest friend in rival Chujo. He would like to raise the child as his own, but he cannot find her. Prince Genji was deeply in love with my mistress. You never know where his heart is. They say lady Aoi died because the spirit of one of his lady friends, Miyasundokoro clung to her all the same. He received a letter from Miyasundokoro just yesterday, but Prince Genji did not answer. Welcome Typhoon. How are you today, Murasaki? I hope you are not too busy today. A woman with a position in the palace sounds quite impressive, but all I do is carry trays and take care of miscellaneous chores for the royal family.

I wouldn't say I'm busy. You've grown beautiful since I saw you last. What musical instrument do you play nowadays? Nothing interest me. Why don't you suggest she take up something? Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Why have you sent for me? How about these two? They're all right. Typhoon, I would like to know what Prince Genji has been doing since lady Aoi's death. You have been living in this estate for four years. You must know much more about Prince Genji than I do. I am still a child. I don't know what grown-ups do away from home. Excuse me, but you mean his affairs with ladies? I am old enough to be interested in such matters.

I just realized that even though I live in this estate, I know nothing about my master. Lately he goes out almost every night. Well, he is such a kind person. Sometimes he may visit lady friends in spite of himself. He kind. Do you think it's funny? He visits those ladies because he's lonely. He's still like a spoiled boy. Aren't you a little hard on him? All his life he has been waited on. I grew up all alone in a temple. He doesn't seem like a grown-up to me at all. Well, I have never in my life been so surprised. I thought you were just a lovely little girl, but you seemed to know all sorts of things. I am still a child, and I don't really know anything. You are the daughter of Prince Genji's wet nurse,

and you yourself serve in the palace. I want to know what everything he does. Very well. I have completed my investigation. Have you found out anything? Since Prince Genji is so famous as a man of taste and elegance, there are many ladies at court who would gladly die to have Prince Genji love them just once. Since Lady Aoi died, some of the ladies are even dreaming of becoming his wife. It's very unrealistic of them. What a frightful place for palaces. There is a certain middle-aged lady called Naishinosuke, who works at the palace. She seems to have had an affair with Prince Genji, too. I admit she must have been very beautiful as a young woman, but now, at her age, she's a little crazy to be interested in Prince Genji. Last night,

it was unusual and warm, and the meeting which ordinarily lasts into the night was to turn earlier than usual. I thought this would be a particularly good time to observe Prince Genji's adventures, and I followed him closely. Naishinosuke was strumming a mandolin and singing, that's become melan farmers in a beautiful voice when Prince Genji walked by. I was alarmed because I knew of her old love affair. Naishinosuke is such an expert musician, but when they have a concert at Serio Den, she plays the mandolin with the menfolk. Her music expressed her love-sick feelings so well that even I, a woman, was almost enchanted by it. Prince Genji smiled to Naishinosuke, who was sitting inside the room. She looked at him seductively and whispered in a sweet voice, why don't you come in? I became very curious and watched the two from behind a pillar. Wouldn't you like to play music with me? Perhaps I could comfort you because you are in sorrow. Well, Prince Genji must have been moved by her kind thought

because he went into her room. Naishinosuke confessed at great length how longing for him, but Prince Genji did not take her very seriously. When he was about to leave, Naishinosuke covered her face in Prince Genji's sleeve and wept. He gently brushed her hand away and started for the whole way. Determined not to let him go, Naishinosuke chased after him and tried to pull him back. Then Chujo, you know Chujo, the self-styled lover and rival of Prince Genji, he came by. Well, what kind of an exercise is this? Are you practicing some new form of wrestling? I envy you. I am too busy to have that kind of fun. He said that with a straight face. Prince Genji replied gracefully, we were just talking, I must go home now, please excuse me. And he left.

It is not easy to extricate oneself as dexterously as he did. Chujo walked away in the opposite direction, but he came back in no time. Naishinosuke just said, he understand my feelings, don't you? Chujo swiftly entered the room and slowly closed the door. Then, what happened next? Must I go that far? Chujo cried aloud at Lady Aoi's funeral and I thought he was still in great sorrow. However, that's a man for you. I met Prince Genji. I heard he went straight home. Is that all? My investigation was quite thorough. It seems to me that Prince Genji has severed relations with all his lady friends. Good evening. Didn't Prince Genji return home very early this evening? Yes, he did.

Good evening. What were you talking about? About Prince Genji. How is he? He has secluded himself in his room to recite prayers. Some say Lady Aoi was nothing more than an accessory to Prince Genji. But all the same, I believe he was very much in love with her. Imagine Prince Genji spending the rest of his life reciting prayers. A man in his position shouldn't remain single for too long. He is surrounded by temptation. You never know when he might return to his old ways. Prince Genji isn't frivolous. He is always sincere in whatever he does. He is not one to abandon his lady friends. So you mean he waits for the woman to leave him?

Once a woman becomes his love. I can't imagine her wanting to leave him. I don't understand, men. Even you, what do you mean? It is scary to be a grown-up. Murasaki is still quite childlike. But she becomes more like Lady Fujitsu every day. After Aoi died, I realized that in the past when I went to visit Lady Friends, I wasn't paying enough attention to my own wife. I had taken it for granted that I would return to her in time. I wonder if she sensed this about me and closed her heart. I don't want to make the same mistake again. Murasaki has become an elegant lady sooner than I realized. She used to fill her room with dolls. Now she has stored them all in the closet.

She is a quiet, graceful man. When she is talking to the other ladies, I can see that she is quite at home. She is ready to become my wife. Did you say something? No, nothing. Didn't you? Yes, I did. Murasaki, it's I. I want to talk to you.

Please come back in the morning. Wait. You look strange, Prince Genji. What's the matter? Please calm down and listen to me. It's a very serious matter. I want you to become mistress of this house. I want to marry you. I've been thinking about this for a long time. You will agree, won't you? I am pregnant. Last night Genji and young Murasaki slept together for the first time.

People will laugh at you if you stay in bed so late. Why are you so unkind to me? The ladies will be curious. He stayed in his room again the next day and on the third day. Will you make mochi, the rice cakes, bring them to me tonight? Are you going to eat them? I'll have them made right away. I want you to make them and in secret.

I make mochi. Why in the world? Tonight is going to be a very special night. I want you to bring them to Murasaki's room late tonight. What are you doing? Nothing. I'm not doing anything. Are you going crazy? Why are you making mochi at this time of night? They're going to be eaten by whom? By me. You are lying, aren't you? Yes, I am. You are a liar. I'm sorry. Tell us the truth. Do I have to? Of course. To tell you the truth, it is a secret. Prince Genji told me to make them. I'm going to take them to Murasaki now.

And this is... God, we must celebrate. Our mistress has become Prince Genji's wife. This is the mochi of the third night. When a couple eat this mochi on the third night, they are considered officially married. I thought something was funny between those two. So that's what happened. Why I've been waiting on her ever since she was born and didn't know about her marriage. Are you unhappy? On the contrary, I am delighted. My wish has been granted at last. As a custom, someone from her own family is supposed to explain the meaning of the mochi of the third night. I wonder who's going to do it in this case. Prince Genji will. Custom is really troublesome. I will take them there.

Let me do it, please. I will do it. If either of you goes, they might be embarrassed. Besides, Prince Genji asked me to do this in secret. I will do it. I will do it. What's the occasion? Yes, it is. At last, we have a mistress. She will give this house distinct character.

Now we are officially men and wife. Let us report this to your father. May I ask you something? I understand you have been investigating my conduct. You must have been worrying about me. You told me that you once knew a woman who resembled me, didn't you? You've said it several times. That woman has gone far, far away. Does she worry you? Yes, very much. Lady Murasaki, Prince Genji's bride, is an intelligent person in spite of her young age.

And she has grown to be a refined lady. Meanwhile, the advancing fall season, as though making an announcement, colors the countryside in a melancholy light. This is NET, the National Educational Television Network.