The Tale Of Genji

Genji is now 23 years old, and after the death of his wife, Aoi, the Rokujo Haven begins to hope perhaps she will be able to have a commitment from Genji in some form. However, he grows more silent in his messages, and she realizes he must really be distraught over the loss of his wife. She prepares for her trip to Ise with her daughter, the High Priestess (Akikonomu), and begins to reconcile the reality that Genji will likely never change her to a priority in his life. After Genji does send her messages again, and he has not seen her for several months, he decides to journey down to the Shrine on the Moor, where she is staying. She finally agrees to see him, but only if she can have a screen between them. Though being in his presence is difficult for her, she also secretly looks forward to his arrival.

Ultimately, once Genji is there, they do eventually agree to say farewell, as much as he is sad to see the relationship end. Almost immediately, though, his musings turn to her daughter, Akikonomu, who is 14 at this time.

Genji now has come to a point in life where he understands he cannot make any sudden pursuits of the High Priestess due to social fallout, and so after he leaves, he sends the Rokujo Haven a final goodbye poem, with a sakaki evergreen branch (the origin of the chapter’s title).