Lady Aoi's Life In The Tale Of Genji

Lady Aoi, the primary wife of the titular character of The Tale of Genji, serves as a perfect view into royal Heian life, and encapsulates the concept of an upper-class Heian woman. Her purpose in life is tied to the Heian court and her husband, Genji. By looking at her relationship with Genji, both physical and emotional, one can glimpse into the court of Heian Japan. Her life was tragically altered by the life and affairs of her husband, exemplifying the Heian woman's dependence on men.

Genji, by marrying Lady Aoi, gained the political favor of the Minister of the Left and his clan. In regards to the marriage, “Her [Lady Aoi's] mother, the minister's first wife, was a princess of the blood. The crown prince had sought the girl's hand, but

the minister thought rather of giving her to Genji. When the emperor suggested that the boy was without adequate sponsors for his initiation and that the support of relatives by marriage might be called for, the minister quite agreed” (Murasaki, p.24). Genji, being an illegitimate child to the emperor, needed political favor from a clan in the court. By marrying the daughter of the Minister of the Left, he improved his political position within the court. However, it is seen that the marriage was mostly for political purposes, as Genji doesn't care much for Lady Aoi. In reference to Genji's relationship with Murasaki, “Genji's wife was intensely displeased. It was most natural that she should be, for she did not of course know that the 'lady' was a mere child. If she had complained to him openly, as most women would have done, he might have told her everything, and no doubt eased her jealousy. It was her arbitrary judgments that sent him wandering. She had no specific faults, no vices or blemishes, which he could point to” (Murasaki, p.111). Genji's near obsession with the young Murasaki hurt his already strained relationship with his primary wife, in addition to all the other women he courted.
Despite Lady Aoi's status as Genji's primary wife, he spends much time traveling and meeting other women.

Within the court, Genji gains political clout via his affair with a concubine of Emperor Kiritsubo, Lady Fujitsubo, whom he impregnates. Most people in the court, including the emperor, believed the child to be from the emperor, so the child was made crown prince. “In the Second Month of the following year initiation ceremonies were held for the crown prince. He was eleven, tall and mature for his age, and the very image of Genji . . . Very pleased with his successor, the emperor in a most gentle and friendly way discussed plans for his own abdication” (Murasaki, p.317). This greatly benefits Genji as this child becomes emperor, and favors Genji even though he does not know their connection. He also has relations with Utsusemi, the wife of the Iyo Deputy, and Yūgao, Tō no Chūjō’s mistress, further perpetuating the infidelity within high-class Heian society. Among all of Genji's affairs, his most detrimental is with Lady Rokujō, a woman of high status who is the widow of a former crown prince. This affair alters the lives of two of Genji's

women.
Genji's affair with Lady Rokujō sets in motion the tragedy of his wife.

Due to his affair, a spirit associated with Lady Rokujō possesses Yūgao after Genji sees Lady Rokujō in his dreams. This possession causes the death of Yūgao, whom Genji was very fond of. “He reached for the girl. She was not breathing. He lifted her and she was limp in his arms. There was no sign of life. She had seemed as defenseless as a child, and no doubt some evil power had taken possession of her” (Murasaki, p.50). Worse than this, Lady Aoi is also possessed by the spirit. After Genji's return to court, she becomes pregnant, and births Genji a son, Yūgiri. As Genji begins to appreciate Lady Aoi more, the possession takes her life. “The Sanjō mansion was almost deserted. Aoi was again seized with a strangling shortness of breath; and very soon after a messenger had been sent to court she was dead” (Murasaki, p.165). The cursed affair with Lady Rokujō cost Genji two dear women in his

life.
Lady Aoi, due to her relationship with Genji, meets a tragic end. She, like many other high-class Heian woman, had a life shaped by men. Even women that briefly encountered Genji, like Yūgao, were affected. Lady Aoi, among many other Heian woman, was cursed with living in the shadows of men, being merely a political pawn that was married off. Genji's actions show the effects of this social and political landscape, and shows the dangers in neglecting relationships. Undoubtedly, the life of a Heian woman was swayed by the motions of politics and men.