ポッドキャスト配信「源氏物語解説　朗読とともに」第6帖「末摘花」

『源氏物語』・『The Tale of Genji』

第6帖「末摘花(すえつむはな)」

あらすじ
　光源氏は18歳、亡くなった夕顔をずっと惜しみ続けていたところに、乳母子(めのとご)の大輔(たいふ)の命婦(みょうぶ)が耳よりの情報を持ってきました。故常陸宮(こひたちのみや)の娘が琴(きん)の琴(こと)を友に一人寂しく暮らしているというのです。
　光源氏は命婦の手引きで常陸宮邸を訪れ、姫の琴(きん)の音をかすかに聞いて物語めいた妄想を抱き心躍らせました。光君に影響された頭の中将も加わって二人は恋のさや当てを展開しますが、当の姫からは何の反応もないまま季節が過ぎました。
　秋、光源氏は再び常陸宮邸を訪れ、勢いで初めての契りを交わしました。が、どうも合点がゆかず心は姫から離れるばかり。「顔を見れば思いが盛り返すこともあろうか」と冬の日、姫の邸を訪れ雪明りで初めて見た彼女の容姿は驚くものでした。がっかりしながらも「自分以外に彼女を世話する男はいまい」と思い直す光源氏。彼女の鼻の赤さから紅花(べにばな)の別名の「末摘花」と呼び、「何の因果で出会ったものか」と歌をつぶやくのでした。
 
場面1
　光源氏が、のちに末摘花と呼ぶようになる姫君のことを聞きつけ、姫がひく琴(こと)の音を聞いて心躍らせる場面です。
 
場面2
　光君が契りを交わした後(あと)の冬の日、姫の邸を訪れ雪明りで初めて見た彼女の容姿に驚きます。
 

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 6: “Suetsumuhana”

Summary
　Hikaru Genji is18 years old. Still mourning his deceased Yugao, he is brought interesting news from a servant, Taihu. She tells him that the daughter of the late Prince Hitachi lives all alone with her koto (Japanese zither) as her only friend.
　With the assistance of the servant, Genji visits the Hitachi estate. Hearing faintly the sound of the princess playing the koto, he imagines a fairy tale-like scenario that fills him with excitement. Joined by To no Chujo—who has become interested after seeing Genji’s own interest in the woman—the two vie for the princess’s affections. The season passes, however, without either man getting much of a response from the princes
　In the fall, Genji again visits the Hitachi estate and ends up spending the night with the woman for the first time. She does not capture his heart, however, and Genji finds himself less and less interested in the princess. One winter’s day while visiting her estate, Genji thinks that if he were to see her face, it would bring about a renewal of his affections for her. Seeing her for the first time in the bright daylight reflected off the snow, however, Genji is taken aback by her appearance. Genji is disappointed, but reconsiders, thinking to himself that no other man would take care of the poor princess. Because of her red nose, Genji calls her Suetsumuhana, an ancient Japanese term for the safflower. He mutters to himself, wondering what fate brought them together.
 
Excerpted Scene 1
　Hikaru Genji learns of the princess, whom he will later call Suetsumuhana, and, hearing her play the koto, is filled with excitement.
 
Excerpted Scene 2
　One winter day after they have already spent the night together, he visits the princess’s estate and is surprised by her appearance in the bright daylight reflected off the snow.
 

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