Tenjo no Niji
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Fascinating!
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I guess like Genji, romance isn't really a thing in Heian era
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@procrastinatorthedeadliner:
I mean, it was a thing, I'm sure, humans are humans and they would have had feelings—but I don't think they'd mastered writing about it, in a compelling novel-style. That which I've read of the Tale of Genji, for instance, reads more like a recounting of sordid school gossip than it does a story. One presumes the pillow talk was still there, at the very least in the more consensual relationships, but not really considered worth writing down because slice-of-life and the like aren't genres people had figured out the writing of, yet.
I mean, it was a thing, I'm sure, humans are humans and they would have had feelings—but I don't think they'd mastered writing about it, in a compelling novel-style. That which I've read of the Tale of Genji, for instance, reads more like a recounting of sordid school gossip than it does a story. One presumes the pillow talk was still there, at the very least in the more consensual relationships, but not really considered worth writing down because slice-of-life and the like aren't genres people had figured out the writing of, yet.
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I see this "fraternal incest was okay in the heian era" thing crop up a lot (even in Sakurahime Kaden,) and IT ISN'T TRUE. There are subplots in Utsubo Monogatari AND Tale of Genji of it bring forbidden, and a real-life criminal case of a Heian courtier being banished for executing his son and daughter after finding out they were engaged in a forbidden relationship (can't recall the names, it was an old Heian court record I read years ago.)
The Heian folks were okay with nieces and aunts, but even half-sisters were a no-go.
See except below where a guy unintentionally courts his long-lost sister (from a different mother, weren't raised together,) finds out, and then apologizes:
Yuugiri, Genji's son, later regrets not courting Tamakazura (the girl above) because he was under the mistaken impression that THEY were siblings so it never occurred to him:
The man in Utsuho Monogatari dies of grief because of his insane passion:
The Heian folks were okay with nieces and aunts, but even half-sisters were a no-go.
See except below where a guy unintentionally courts his long-lost sister (from a different mother, weren't raised together,) finds out, and then apologizes:
Somewhat intimidated, he offered only a verse in reply: “I did not know it was Sibling Mountain we climbed, And came to a halt on hostile Odae Bridge.” It was a futile complaint about unhappiness of his own making. This was her answer: “Not knowing that you did not know, I found Your tracks up Sibling Mountain strange indeed.” - Tale of Genji, Translated by Edward G. Seidensticker
Yuugiri, Genji's son, later regrets not courting Tamakazura (the girl above) because he was under the mistaken impression that THEY were siblings so it never occurred to him:
In the course of the preparations Genji told Tamakazura in great detail of his conversation with her father. Genji’s kindness could not have been greater, she thought, if he had been her father, and at the same time she was delighted at the prospect of meeting her real father. Genji took Yūgiri into his confidence. The pieces fell into place, numbers of puzzles were solved. Yūgiri now thought Tamakazura in pleasing contrast to the cold lady upon whom he had set his affections, and he thought himself very obtuse for not having guessed earlier. He was an honest and sensible boy, and he told himself that the possibilities introduced by the new situation must be dismissed from his mind.
The man in Utsuho Monogatari dies of grief because of his insane passion:
"The other day Chamberlain Nakazumi told me a very moving story." "Oh! I envy you! I wish I had heard it, too", answered Princess Atemiya. "Well then, I will tell you about it. In truth, he said, 'Princess Atemiya is too hardhearted. Please tell her not to treat me so coldly from now on.' I thought then, of course, his love for you was wrong, but I felt pity for him, since he said he was on the verge of death. When he talks to you in future, please say Pg. 103 Chap. 4 The Saga Palace soothing to him, even though only one or two words. He has become so haggard that I could hardly recognize him. What has he done to deserve these sufferings? He must be the most unfortunate of men."
...
Lady Fujitsubo [note: Atemiya from chapter above's new title] was sad, and murmured to herself. "How is it that I am loved desperately like this by a brother of the same mother?" She sent the following reply at once. "Dewdrops in the same field are to vanish in the same way. It is sad that one of them alone is hurrying away." I am distressed to hear that you are always deep in grief." After reading her reply in bitter tears, Chamberlain Nakazumi crumpled the letter into a small ball, swallowed it with a cup of warm water, and breathed his last.
...
Lady Fujitsubo [note: Atemiya from chapter above's new title] was sad, and murmured to herself. "How is it that I am loved desperately like this by a brother of the same mother?" She sent the following reply at once. "Dewdrops in the same field are to vanish in the same way. It is sad that one of them alone is hurrying away." I am distressed to hear that you are always deep in grief." After reading her reply in bitter tears, Chamberlain Nakazumi crumpled the letter into a small ball, swallowed it with a cup of warm water, and breathed his last.
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