Chapter 5 Summary

Genji is stricken with malaria and, after attempting several cures, is finally recommended to a sage who lives up the mountains. Eager to rid himself of the disease, Genji goes up to see the man who works his cures upon Genji.

As Genji is under the care of the sage, he happens to see Murasaki, a beautiful young girl who is only 10 years of age, living at a nearby nunnery. Despite Murasaki's age, Genji is suddenly taken with a desire to have this young girl as his own and make her his wife when she grows into a woman. Thus, with this new purpose, Genji is determined to take Murasaki under his care in order to instruct her properly, so he speaks with the bishop who runs the local nunnery.

The bishop is against the idea. The girl's father intends to take her...