Chapter 42 Summary

"The shining Genji was dead, and there was no one quite like him." (788) Now that this glowing man of many accomplishments is gone, the world mourns his passing. Though there are several other men in the realm who are worthy, none of them match up to the many perfections of Genji.

Among these worthy men are Niou, a frivolous 28-year-old, and Kaoru, the prudent young son of Kashiwagi and the Third Princess. They are both thought to be exceptionally handsome young men, but even they do not match up to the "shining Genji" (788). Furthermore, they are very good friends, though they are, in many ways, rivals as well.

Though the entire world believes that Kaoru is Genji's son, Kaoru has his doubts. These doubts about his lineage leave him troubled and he wants to leave the world and become a monk. He does...