Princess Asagao is someone who Genji's been corresponding with off and on; his correspondence with her was weight on the side of his being a scandalous skank during the thing where he was sleeping with one of the emperor's women, err, *checks notes* Oborozukiyo. Yes, according to my notes on chapter 10 she's a first cousin of Genji's.
Yes chapter 20 must be a turning point: it's the first time the shining Genji is criticized by the author, for courting Asagao too eagerly for his present noble rank, in other words, for being vulgar. Also the first time Murasaki cannot cope with his exuberant love life, because Asagao could take her own place as wife. I really get the feeling that the author has taken sides with Murasaki. Thomas (reading Tyler's translation, with an eye on Waley's and Seidensticker's on line)
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Naishi! I gotta get back to this.
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Also the first time Murasaki cannot cope with his exuberant love life, because Asagao could take her own place as wife.
I really get the feeling that the author has taken sides with Murasaki.
Thomas
(reading Tyler's translation, with an eye on Waley's and Seidensticker's on line)
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