ポッドキャスト配信「源氏物語解説　朗読とともに」第5帖「若紫」

『源氏物語』・『The Tale of Genji』

第5帖「若紫」

あらすじ
　光源氏18歳の3月末、病の治療のため北山に赴き祖母の尼と共に住む少女・若紫を見初めます。密かに恋い慕う義母・藤壺によく似た若紫は、藤壺の兄・兵部卿(ひょうぶきょう)の宮の隠し子でした。光源氏は若紫を引き取りたいと尼君に申し出ますが、まだ幼いと断られます。
　その夏、光源氏は、病のため実家に戻っていた藤壺の寝所(しんじょ)に忍び込み密通を果たしました。この逢瀬で藤壺は懐妊し光源氏も夢でわが子だと察します。藤壺は恐ろしさから彼を拒み連絡を絶ってしまいます。
　藤壺との関係が絶望的となった光源氏は、再び若紫の養育を願い出ます。祖母の尼君は断り続けましたが病気で亡くなり、若紫は父の本宅で暮らすことになります。その直前に光源氏は若紫を連れ出し自宅の二条院に移し、ただ若紫をかわいがることで藤壺へのつらい恋心をなだめるのでした。
 
場面1
　光源氏が若紫を見初める場面。この時の彼女はまだ10歳。雀の子を飼ったり走ったり泣いたりというあどけない若紫はまだ子供で恋の対象ではありませんが藤壺にそっくりな彼女に心惹かれます。
 
場面2
　『源氏物語』全体においても重要な「密通」が描かます。光源氏が藤壺の部屋に忍び入り思いを遂げるものの心はかき乱されます。
 
場面3
　懐妊した藤壺に拒まれ絶望した光源氏が、さらうように若紫を自宅に連れてきて彼女をかわいがることで藤壺への恋心をなだめます。
 

ポッドキャストはこちらからお聞きいただけます。→ https://omny.fm/shows/genji/playlists/podcast
番組案内はこちら
 

Chapter 5: “Wakamurasaki”

Summary
　At the end of March, when Hikaru Genji is 18 years old, he travels to Kitayama to treat his still-lingering illness. There, becomes fascinated the moment he spies a young girl named Wakamurasaki, who is living with her grandmother, a nun. Wakamurasaki closely resembles Genji’s mother-in-law, Fujitsubo, whom he secretly loves. She is the illegitimate daughter of Fujitsubo’s elder brother, Prince Hyobu. Genji asks her grandmother, the nun, to adopt Wakamurasaki, but she refuses, saying Wakamurasaki is still too young.
　That summer, Genji sneaks into the bedroom of Fujitsubo, who has returned to her parents’ residence due to illness, to have a tryst with her. Fujitsubo becomes pregnant from this encounter, and Genji also surmises via a dream that the child is his own. Out of fear, Fujitsubo rejects further advances from Genji and breaks off contact.
　With his relationship with Fujitsubo apparently hopeless, Genji again requests to foster Wakamurasaki. Her nun grandmother continues to refuse, but dies of illness, and Wakamurasaki is to be sent to live in her father’s main residence. Just before this can occur, however, Genji takes Wakamurasaki and moves her into his home, the Nijo-in, where he soothes his heartbreak over Fujitsubo by doting on Wakamurasaki.
 
Excerpted Scene 1
　Hikaru Genji becomes fascinated by Wakamurasaki the moment he sees her. She is only 10 years old at this time. The cherubic Wakamurasaki cares for pet sparrows, runs about, and, at times, cries as appropriate for her age. She is still a child and not truly someone Genji sees as a suitable object of affection, but he is captivated by her because of her resemblance to Fujitsubo.
 
Excerpted Scene 2
　An illicit rendezvous, whose consequences will reverberate throughout the Tale of Genji, takes place. When Genji sneaks into Fujitsubo’s room, he achieves his desire but finds his heart unsettled.
 
Excerpted Scene 3
　When the pregnant Fujitsubo rejects him, Genji, in despair, practically kidnaps Wakamurasaki, taking her to his home to soothe his heartbreak over Fujitsubo by doting on the girl.
 

Podcast listen from here。→ https://omny.fm/shows/genji/playlists/podcast
Program information is here