The Tale of Genji : The Uji Chapters

After a hiatus of several years Murasaki Shikibu returned to her epic work The Tale of Genji to write the ten final chapters known collectively as Uji Jyuujou (The Uji Chapters). In Part 1 containing the first six of these chapters the readers are transported to the environs of Kyoto to a small town called Uji. Here Murasaki Shikibu follows the fortunes of an ostracized prince and his daughters a young captain and the second in line to the throne. In Part 2 Murasaki Shikibu delves into the romantic entanglements involving Ukifune and her two suitors Prince Niou and Commander Kaoru. As it is suspected that Murasaki Shikibu herself had become a nun before writing these final chapters it is not surprising that religion finally began to play a significant role in the narrative. Sadly however this volume also contains the final instalment in Murasakis epic masterpiece.