Kasuga Miho
Japanese Literature, 58(2) 26-34, Feb, 2007 Peer-reviewed
In this article I will focus on the scene in the "Miotsukushi" volume of Genji-monogatari where the ex-Emperor Suzaku-In enjoys playing wind instruments. According to historical documents, Suzaku-In actually made a plan to be engaged in playing music after his abdication because he could scarcely spare the time for it when he was an emperor. Indeed, also in Genji-monogatari, unlike other emperors, he is seldom seen doing something for pleasure. So, like the ex-Emperor Uta who was his ideal, Suzaku-In decided to become an "ex-emperor at play."