293. The Third Princess and personal impressionism

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Genji

A Branch of Plum

“ ‘We live in a degenerate age,’ said Genji.” According to the book, everything, perfumes and calligraphy in particular but also fabrics, were better in the past. And this is the 10th century. How often have people thought they weren’t living in a degenerate age?

I’m at my new favorite Peet’s again, the one at 8th Street and Brannan, and just finished the first volume of Genji. Besides the superior chairs, decor in general, and clientele, what sets the cafe apart is the music they play. I wouldn’t say it’s the finest jazz, but it is quite good jazz, and far better than the more common hits from the ‘60s. 


New Herbs
Just when you think the “romantic” complications at Rokujo (Genji’s primary residence) couldn’t get any more convoluted, they do. One of Genji’s brothers, the former Emperor, is ill and withdrawing to a religious life as he prepares for death, and the best way he can think of to protect his favorite daughter (who is very young but even more immature) is to marry her off to Genji -- who isn’t even particularly interested in her. At the age of 40 (or 39) he is now saddled with a child bride to look after. 

The poor man would rather spend his nights with Murasaki, but he’s concerned about hurting the feelings of the former Emperor. And his new wife, who is only known as “the Third Princess,” is revealing herself to be something of a twit. 

This reminds me of what I imagine the sad reality of the Islamic martyrs’ Seventy Virgin reward would actually be like. 

But fear not. Genji is still Genji and is now chasing after one of his new wife’s kins women, a woman he has a romantic past with. The lesson being, I suppose, when your romantic relationships get too complicated, chase after someone else. 

“The world has an unpleasant way of gossiping about people in high places. How, everyone asked, was Murasaki responding to it all? Some lessening of Genji’s affection seemed inevitable, and some loss of place and prestige. When it became clear beyond denying that his affection had if anything increased, there were those who said that he really ought to be nicer to the princess. Finally it became clear that the two ladies were getting on very well together, and the world had to look elsewhere for its gossip.”

After describing, in considerable detail, the presents and display of two spectacular events in a row organized first by Murasaki and then by Akikonomu (the Empress for whom Genji acts as guardian, without hitting on her for once) we get this, “...We have all read romances which list every gift and offering at such affairs, but I am afraid that they rather bore me; nor am I able to provide a complete guest list.” 

After praising the short chapters, this “New Herbs” chapter is endless and even divided into two parts. And lots of things are even happening, births and deaths as well as the usual romance. Genji’s daughter has now given the crown prince a son. And after learning of this, the daughter’s grandfather -- the Akashi Lady’s funny father -- has broken entirely with the world and gone off into the mountains to pray and die. 

Leaving the “world” behind is something much talked about in this book. Genji wants to do it but keeps getting pulled back in. (Godfather 3 reference) The Former Emperor, the father of the Third Princess, is doing this, but the Akashi Lady’s father is the most extreme. This would seem to be a consequence of the Buddhist influence on Japan at this time. It isn’t that different from the Christian emphasis on the Next Life, and seems to be ignored in general about as much.

Everyday impressionism

I set down the book and pensively turned my gaze to the street outside the Market Street Peet's. I was enjoying the vagueness of seeing the street with my reading glasses on. And then it occurred to me that I could go even more impressionist by simply taking off my glasses entirely. Better. Semi-translucent blotches of color.

I can spot the crazies walking past even when they are just blotches of color due to the way they move.

Windows

I had to print out some documents this morning so I fired up my Windows machine. Before I could do any work it had to complete the installation of the “April” OS update. Since this is late July, I can only hope they mean April 2018. This process took forever. Having some previous experience with this nonsense, I did other things while waiting. I did my daily exercises. I shaved. I brushed my teeth and changed my clothes. I washed out the compost toter. I swept all the carpets and tile surfaces in the building. I changed my clothes again. I addressed the envelopes for the HOA mailing I was going to print out. 


How is it, one wonders, Google can update the Chrome OS without my being aware of it and Microsoft can’t? Maybe Microsoft just doesn’t care? When the process was finally complete, Cortana seemed to be gone. I feel bad about this. I never once engaged Cortana. I could have said “Hi.” Unfortunately, all the questions I thought to address to Cortana included profanity, which seemed even ruder than ignoring her. “Why does the software for displaying files and folders on my computer seem NOT to be part of the fucking OS but some slow add-on? Why do I have to force an update of the list of files it shows me when I’ve just opened the list (when trying to select a file to enclose with an email for example)? Are you people all high or just stupid?”