Major Female Characters
The Kiritsubo Intimate
Genji’s mother. The Kiritsubo Emperor’s exceeding affection for her stirs up the jealousy of his other women, which distresses her to death two years after Genji’s birth.
Fujitsubo Princess (later Empress)
The Fourth Princess of an earlier emperor. She is particularly favored by the Kiritsubo Emperor; at the same time, she has an illicit affair with Genji. From the affair Fujitsubo bears a boy, the future Emperor Reizei. After Reizei ascends to the throne, she supports him with the help of Genji.
Aoi
Daughter of the Minister of the Left. Her mother is a princess. Aoi marries Genji at his coming-of-age ceremony. Possessed by the living spirit of the Rokujō Haven, Aoi dies after giving birth to Genji’s son Yūgiri.
Asagao
Daughter of the Momozono Prince, His Highness of Ceremonial. Asagao is also Genji’s cousin. She used to serve as Kamo Priestess. Despite having been long courted by Genji, she continuously declines his approaches.
Utsusemi
Though once promised to the Kiritsubo Emperor, Utsusemi marries the Iyo Deputy, who is much older than her. Despite the night when Genji forces a relationship on her, she refuses all his later advances.
Yūgao
Yūgao has a daughter (Tamakazura) with Tō no Chūjō. While hiding at Gojō, she has an affair with Genji. She dies in the middle of a night spent with Genji.
Murasaki
Fujitsubo’s niece. Genji catches sight of her in the Northern Hills when she is still a child. She is raised by Genji and becomes his wife. Although they have made a delightful couple, Genji’s marriage with the Third Princess destabilizes her position.
Suetsumuhana
Daughter of the deceased Hitachi Prince. Quite the opposite of what Genji has expected, she is fairly unattractive.
Gen Naishi, Dame of Staff
A randy old woman waiting on the Kiritsubo Emperor. She is involved in a triangle relationship with Genji and Tō no Chūjō.
Oborozukiyo
The sixth daughter of the Minister of the Right. Though she has been appointed to enter Emperor Suzaku’s court, her encounter with Genji develops mutual attraction. Since then she has maintained a secret relationship with Genji while enjoying Suzaku’s favor.
The Rokujō Haven
The consort of the late former (before Suzaku) crown prince. Unable to resist Genji’s passionate pursuit, she begins a relationship with him. Her jealous living spirit possesses and kills Aoi. After Rokujō’s death, her vengeful ghost also possesses Murasaki and the Third Princess.
Hanachirusato
One of the Kiritsubo Emperor’s consorts. She is also the Reikeiden Consort’s younger sister. Despite her plain looks, Hanachirusato’s well-rounded nature makes her trustworthy to Genji, who brings her into the Summer Quarter at Rokujō and entrusts Yūgiri and Tamakazura to her.
The Akashi Lady
Daughter of the Akashi Novice and the Nun. She is involved with Genji during his stay at Akashi, and gives birth to Genji’s only daughter (the Akashi Princess). As a provincial governor’s daughter, she is constantly reminded and keenly aware of her lesser status.
Akikonomu
Daughter of the Rokujō Haven and the former Crown Prince. She served as Ise Priestess. After the death of her mother, Akikonomu is adopted by Genji. She enters Reizei’s court and later becomes Empress.
Kumoi no Kari
Daughter of the Palace Minister (Tō no Chūjō). She fell in love with her cousin Yūgiri when they were both very young. They were once forced to separate by Kumoi no Kari’s father, but eventually get married. Kumoi no Kari moves back to her father’s residence when Yūgiri has an affair with Princess Ochiba.
Tamakazura
Daughter of Tō no Chūjō and Yūgao. Tamakazura grows up in Kyushu, and is adopted by Genji when she returns to the capital. While as Genji’s daughter she attracts many to propose her marriage, her supposed stepfather Genji also makes advances to her. She marries Higekuro in the end.
Ōmi no Kimi
A long-lost daughter of Tō no Chūjō. Although she is brought back by her father to the capital from Ōmi, due to her rustic upbringing she makes a sight of herself at times.
The Third Princess
Daughter of Retired Emperor Suzaku. Her mother is Fujitsubo’s half-sister. At the discretion of her father, the Third Princess marries Genji, who is much older, but her immature character disappoints Genji. She later has an affair with Kashiwagi and delivers a son (Kaoru). Immediately after that she renounces the secular world.
Princess Ochiba (The Second Princess)
Suzaku’s daughter. Her mother, the Ichijō Haven, is a low-ranking intimate. Consequently her husband Kashiwagi thinks little of her. After Kashiwagi’s death, she is courted by Kashiwagi’s best friend, Yūgiri, and eventually marries him.
Ōigimi
Elder daughter of the Eight Prince. Ōigimi appreciates Kaoru’s affection, but sets her heart against giving in. Instead, she tries to deflect his passions onto her sister Naka no Kimi. Naka no Kimi however marries Niou, who rarely comes to visit thereafter. Feeling bitter at Niou’s disregard for her sister, Ōigimi falls ill and soon dies.
Naka no Kimi
Younger daughter of the Eighth Prince. Kaoru, using his plot, marries Naka no Kimi off to Niou. Naka no Kimi moves into Niou’s residence at Nijō and bears him a son. When Kaoru begins making advances to her, she tells him of her half-sister, Ukifune, who looks even more like Ōigimi.
Ukifune
Daughter of the Eighth Prince, by a woman named Chūjō in his service. Ukifune grows up in the East of Japan, and reputedly resembles to Ōigimi. She has a relationship with Kaoru, but is also involved with Niou. Conflicted between Kaoru and Niou, Ukifune decides to die in the end. But she is rescued by the prelate of Yokawa, whom she then entreats to make her a nun.