To the Shining You Episode 31 "Under the Moon" Synopsis & What I Want to Say This Week
The Tale of Genji is born! It takes on the challenge of the Pillow Book craze

This week's duty is N-san. It's finally here. A story has come to Mahiro-san. "The Tale of Genji" was born.

I always watch the show on Sundays, before and after - no, even during the show - by following the posts with the hashtag "# (hashtag) To You Who Shines" on X (formerly Twitter), and before last week's broadcast, I discovered that Yuriko Yoshitaka, who plays Mahiro, had made what could be described as a bold preview.

Michinaga came to tell a story for Akiko.
The story of Mahiro is a rival to the boom of "The Pillow Book"

It started with a scene of Michinaga suddenly visiting Mahiro. He had heard about the popularity of "The Tale of the Magpie," and wanted a story to comfort Empress Shoko. But it had become a hot topic. But Michinaga couldn't back down now. The Imperial Court was in the midst of a huge boom for "The Pillow Book." Emperor Ichijo himself was in the middle of that boom. He asked Mahiro to write a story, hiding his true intention that he wanted to defeat "The Pillow Book" for his daughter, Shoko. But Mahiro couldn't decide.

Mahiro borrows "The Pillow Book" from Akane, also known as Izumi Shikibu. She reads it nonstop until the morning. Akane says that "The Pillow Book" is thoughtful, but it lacks the warmth of human skin, or luster. That's why it doesn't dig into your heart.

Come to think of it, Sei Shonagon insisted that Empress Sadashi had no dark side.

Lust and shadow. It is certainly true that these two elements are what allow a deep drama to be depicted. I vaguely understand this, but it's frustrating that I can't quite reach it. But if I were to write a letter to Michinaga, it would be a big problem.

A large amount of precious Echizen washi paper will be delivered! You remembered the promise we made back then... Love♡

A large amount of beautiful and very expensive Echizen washi paper was delivered! Mahiro is happy that Michinaga remembered that she wanted to write waka poems and stories on Echizen washi paper, and Michinaga is also happy that Mahiro accepted his wish for the first time, and they are still as much in love as ever.

Mahiro tried to write a bright and interesting story, but it didn't quite fit. First of all, it was revealed that he wrote it not to present to Empress Akiko, but to overturn Emperor Ichijo's support for "The Pillow Book."

As Michinaga told us about Emperor Ichijo, Mahiro's eyes lit up. When they finished talking and saw Michinaga off, the two of them looked up at the moon! Mahiro told us the story of Princess Kaguya.

N-san was excited, saying that this was one of the famous scenes of this episode! The broadcast date, August 2024, 8, was the 18th night of the XNUMXst month. The moon was about to become full. And above all, "The Tale of Genji" is a strong homage to "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter". All the ladies die and exit the story in the season when Princess Kaguya returns to the moon, and Murasaki Shikibu's recommendation of "The Bamboo Cutter" is thorough. I was glad that the show had a firm grasp of "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" that lies within "The Tale of Genji".

"Kenko is your child!" Ito-san and the others' eyes said during the parent-child meeting.

Six years have passed since the shocking night at Ishiyama-dera Temple. This was the episode where Michinaga and Kenko met face to face. Surrounding Michinaga, Mahiro, and Kenko, Ito-san, Otomaru, and others were quietly screaming "Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!" Whether Michinaga knows or pretends not to know, he puts Kenko on his lap, and the hearts of those around him are pounding. Mahiro's eyes are wandering too.

At the age of 18, Kenko will begin serving at the Imperial Court as a lady-in-waiting to Akiko. Another point of interest will be how she will interact with her father, Michinaga.

The Tale of Genji has come to Mahiro! He has begun writing the Kiritsubo chapter!

I thought it was interesting that the story written on colorful paper was raining down on Mahiro. I thought, "Oh, it's coming down from the sky!" (laughs) And finally, "One day..." the first chapter of "The Tale of Genji", "Kiritsubo Chapter", was written.

What we have witnessed so far in "To Your Shining Self" is the tragedy of how the childhood love between Emperor Ichijo and Empress Sadako strongly connected two lonely hearts, causing them to fall deeply in love with each other regardless of their circumstances.

So, I think it's amazing that the foundation has been laid for easy acceptance that "Kiritsubo" was written as a prologue to "The Tale of Genji," based on the tragic love story between Emperor Ichijo and Empress Sadashi.

Whenever I read "Kiritsubo Chapter," I always think, "Murasaki Shikibu is a genius!" Among the 54 chapters of this long novel, "Kiritsubo Chapter" is so amazing. I think it is no exaggeration to say that everything about this story is written in it.

The emperor was not allowed to fall in love without regard for political considerations, and was practically forced to have children with the empress who had a powerful backing, but he fell in love beyond the restrictions set by the emperor, resulting in a tragedy. The story is interwoven with elements of Chinese and Japanese literature and Buddhist thought, such as the reasons for the protagonist Hikaru Genji's romantic journey and his vision for the future, as well as the reality of love between people of different social classes, and is peppered with hints at themes and plot developments from The Tale of Genji, so even just reading this volume is interesting enough.

The question of whether the novel really began with the "Kiritsubo chapter"

But, from N-chan's perspective, I felt like there was a catch to this fun. I thought the perfection of "Kiritsubo Chapter" was extraordinary! Because, isn't it too perfect?

The next volume, "Hahagiki," is a tale of the romantic adventures of the young 17-year-old Hikaru Genji, who suddenly tries to sneak into the room of a married woman of the provincial government rank and her stepdaughter at night, and when that doesn't go well, he gets angry and starts a relationship with the married woman's younger brother (BL!). The connection from "Kiritsubo" is poor, or perhaps it's a big leap. In "Kiritsubo," Hikaru Genji is a young, innocent prince, but in "Hahagiki," he is a love hunter who acts recklessly. I think the difference is too big.

So I thought that perhaps the Kiritsubo chapter was written later, after the story had already been written to a certain extent, to give it a proper narrative form. In fact, there is a theory that this is the case.

But, given the progression of the story of "To You, Shining" up to this point, it was accepted as something that was written very naturally starting from "Kiritsubo Chapter," which I thought was wonderful.

Both Michinaga and Michiko were worried about their daughter, Akiko's situation.

When Michiko presented Emperor Ichijo with "Shin Rakufu," a painting she had commissioned Fujiwara no Yukinari to write, she made the extremely rude request, "I would appreciate it if the government could see it in person," and a rift began to form between her and Michinaga.

Princess Akiko also seems worried, noticing her parents' strange behavior. "You're the one causing this to happen to you, aren't you? Are you aware of it?" I want to ask. But I guess it can't be helped...

His other wife, Akiko, as the coming-of-age ceremonies for her two eldest and second sons, Iwa-kun and Moss-kun, approached, Michinaga asked in pillow talk that they be given the same rank as Michinaga's eldest son, Yorimichi, who was born to Michiko, but was flatly rejected.

From Akiko's point of view, she is of a lineage that is not inferior to Michiko's. It's a pity that she wanted her children to have a certain status and success. To top it off, Michinaga warns her that he achieved success with the financial support of Michiko's family, that he doesn't want his children to fight, and that a mother shouldn't instill such things in her children, and then he leaves even though they were supposed to be staying the night.

Princess Akiko is truly an unfortunate person.... Of course her personality is dark. To make such an obvious distinction between them. It's terrible!

In fact, Akiko's children were at a clear disadvantage compared to those born to Michiko. The difference was so stark that her sons were not able to climb the ranks or positions, and her daughters never entered the Imperial Court. Even though all of Michiko's daughters entered the Imperial Court.

She was faced with the reality that without political and economic backing, even if she married an influential person like Michinaga, her life would not open up easily.

The gap between nobles is also one of the motifs in The Tale of Genji

Being a concubine is really tough. You never know when your husband will come, and even if you have children, they are differentiated from the legitimate wife's children, making for a life of constant worry. That's why Mahiro didn't want to become Michinaga's concubine, and ended up living such a complicated life.

...But in the Heian period, there were princesses like Michiko who were of good bloodline and had solid financial and political backing, and there were also princesses like Fujiwara no Michitsuna's mother who were talented but content to be concubines. This disparity widened and continued into the generations of her grandchildren, making it a truly difficult society. And it is this problem of disparity that is depicted so clearly in "The Tale of Genji."

"To You, the Shining One" visualizes the working nobility

There's another thing I thought was great about "To You, the Shining One." It depicts the way men, the nobles, work. Political maneuvering is also an important motif in "The Tale of Genji." After losing a political battle, Hikaru Genji is exiled to Suma, and Hachinomiya, a major character in the "Uji Chapter," is also brought into the battle for the throne but loses, and is forced to retire to Uji.

In "The Tale of Genji," we don't see how the nobles work, so we tend to think that Hikaru Genji and To no Chujo are always busy with women! But in "To You, the Shining One," everyone, including Michinaga, works pretty hard. At least they don't just play around all the time. The visualization of working men gives it a sense of reality.

In "To You, the Shining Light," the warp and weft of political intentions and the outcome of love are clearly visible, making it never boring. I also think it's a good flow that led to the creation of "The Tale of Genji."

Before I knew it, it was already Sunday! The 32nd episode of "For Whom Do I Write?" will be broadcast. Mahiro-san has finally become a lady-in-waiting at the Imperial Court as Fujishikibu! I think she'll probably return to her parents' home soon! I'm looking forward to it.

What is the review of “To Shining You”?

"Premium Japan Literature Club" (exaggeration) was formed by people who love literature within the Premium Japan editorial department. For literature lovers, the 2024 taiga drama ``Hikaru Kimi e'' was a perfect opportunity to discuss this and that. Volunteers from the editorial department will continue to freely review articles. Editor S and Editor N reviewed the differences between historical facts and dramas, a deep dive into foreshadowing, and more!