A Tale of False Fortunes by Fumiko Enchi Read Free Book Online Page B

but this is a mistaken view. What is wrong with court service, after all? Such women are of course granted audience with the sovereign of the whole realm, and do not hide their faces in shame no matter whom they meet, be it a noble, a courtier, or an official of the fourth or fifth rank. If a man installs such a woman as his full wife, some will dislike her lack of reserve. On the other hand, even after her marriage she will be referred to as “Assistant Handmaid,” and will be given access to court. She will be able to serve formally at the Kamo Festival, and will thus be a credit to her household. Moreover, if her daughters are chosen as dancers at the Gosechi Ceremonies, she will have the advantage of familiarity with the ways of the court and will not have to make hasty inquiries here and there.
    Sei Shònagon no doubt knew that the empress’ mother had a background of court service, and this passage is possibly a calculated self-defense.
    The author of A Tale of Flowering Fortunes, a lady-in-waiting to Michinaga’s wife, does not write favorably of the regent’s household. Even her use of such terms as “up-to-date,”
    “in touch,” or “disliking the abstruse” to describe the palace of Empress Teishi is actually a euphemistic criticism of the empress’
    lack of reserve and solemnity. It is hardly surprising, however, that the scintillating and witty atmosphere of Teishi’s court should sway the youthful and still-maturing sovereign more than the old-fashioned, ceremonious refinement of his mother Chapter One c 33

    and her ladies-in-waiting. The empress’ brothers, Korechika and Takaie, were always serving at the emperor’s side, lecturing to him on the Chinese classics or teaching him to play the koto and flute. This also added to the brilliance and gaiety of her salon.
    With the backing of the regent, Teishi enjoyed great material abundance as well. Kureha, a mere girl suddenly transplanted from rusticity to the brilliance of the palace, was at first bewil-dered by its splendor and sophistication. It was not long, however, until her young mind and body eagerly drank in the atmosphere. She concealed the incorrigible wild streak inherited from her mother and blossomed into a comely young lady-in-waiting.
    Empress Teishi managed to give each of her ladies-in-waiting the impression of being the sole recipient of her special favor; in reality, though, she preferred cheerful and open dispositions.
    Compared to the citified, courtly, and excessively trim appearance of many serving in the palace, the innocence of Kureha’s peach-like cheeks, the boldly cheerful expression of her eyes, and the lucidity of her words and manners had special appeal to Teishi, who came to have the girl serve at her side constantly.
    Whether at bath, at hairdressing, or even at night when she entered the bedchamber with the emperor, Teishi always had Kureha attending at her side, seeing to her every need. After three or four years, Kureha acquired a natural familiarity with the empress’ facial features, the length of her hair, the shape of her hands, feet, and shoulders, her breasts, the transparent whiteness of her skin, and even the inflections of her beautiful voice.
    There was more to Kureha’s devoted service than just respect for the noble lady she served; the young girl had an almost erotic longing for the empress’ graceful charm and uncommonly attractive features.
    Kureha had at an early age been separated from her mother by death and was now unable to meet her sister, though she lived nearby. In a sense her fate was not unlike that of a prisoner, and yet she did not feel the least sorry for herself. She was 34 c A Tale of False Fortunes supremely happy just to be able to serve at the empress’ side, to perfume her gorgeous robes, and to massage her soft back and hips.
    As steward of the empress’ household, Michinaga occasionally went to the empress’ palace to inquire after her welfare.
    Even if he saw Kureha on