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Kokiden
Suzaku is Genji's half-brother; his mother is Kokiden and they share a father, the Emperor. Suzaku is a few years older than Genji and not as well loved, though this doesn't impact the brothers' relationship: throughout their lives, they maintain a relatively close friendship. However, when Suzaku takes the throne at a very young age, he proves himself to be an ineffective ruler. Kokiden and his grandfather, the Minister of the Right, make it nearly impossible for Suzaku to what he wants to do. They also make it so Suzaku can't follow through on his father's wishes, including that he adopt Reizei and listen to Genji's advice. He allows Genji to be sent into exile after Genji is discovered with Oborozukiyo, with whom Suzaku is also romantically involved. Suzaku and Genji write to each other during this time until Kokiden stops their correspondence. After a year or so, the Emperor visits Suzaku in a dream, reprimands him for not listening to Genji, and Suzaku contracts a painful eye condition. Within several months, Suzaku makes the decision to call Genji back from exile. Though the brothers' relationship remains relatively strong for a short period of time, it soon sours when Genji takes the young woman Akikonomu under his wing. Suzaku has been in love with Akikonomu since she was a young girl, and he resents Genji's decision to present her to Reizei rather than allow Suzaku to have her. When Akikonomu finally turns Suzaku down herself, Suzaku shifts his support to the Kokiden girl in the final art contest.
Suzaku Quotes in The Tale of Genji
The The Tale of Genji quotes below are all either spoken by Suzaku or refer to Suzaku. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
The Paulownia Court
Quotes
In a certain reign there was a lady not of the first rank whom the emperor loved more than any of the others. The grand ladies with high ambitions thought her a presumptuous upstart, and lesser ladies were still more resentful.
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Because she was of such high birth (it may have been that people were imagining things) she seemed even more graceful and delicate than the other. No one could despise her for her inferior rank, and the emperor need not feel shy about showing his love for her.
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An Autumn Excursion
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In the Seventh Month, Fujitsubo was made empress [...] Making plans for his abdication, the emperor wanted to name Fujitsubo's son crown prince. The child had no strong backing, however [...] The emperor therefore wanted Fujitsubo in an unassailable position from which to promote her son's career.
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The Sacred Tree
Quotes
She was quite aware of Kokiden's feelings and knew that a world at the service of the other lady would be difficult to live in.
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Suzaku Quotes in The Tale of Genji
The The Tale of Genji quotes below are all either spoken by Suzaku or refer to Suzaku. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
The Paulownia Court
Quotes
In a certain reign there was a lady not of the first rank whom the emperor loved more than any of the others. The grand ladies with high ambitions thought her a presumptuous upstart, and lesser ladies were still more resentful.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Because she was of such high birth (it may have been that people were imagining things) she seemed even more graceful and delicate than the other. No one could despise her for her inferior rank, and the emperor need not feel shy about showing his love for her.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
An Autumn Excursion
Quotes
In the Seventh Month, Fujitsubo was made empress [...] Making plans for his abdication, the emperor wanted to name Fujitsubo's son crown prince. The child had no strong backing, however [...] The emperor therefore wanted Fujitsubo in an unassailable position from which to promote her son's career.
Related Characters:
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Explanation and Analysis:
The Sacred Tree
Quotes
She was quite aware of Kokiden's feelings and knew that a world at the service of the other lady would be difficult to live in.
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