Chapter 46 Summary

Niou and Kaoru make a pilgrimage to Hatsuse by boat and stop along the way at Uji to visit the Eight Prince at his villa by the river. Upon arriving, the party learns that the Eighth Prince died recently and the entire house is in mourning. The Niou and Kaoru pass on to Hatsuse and, after returning home, Niou, sends a letter of condolence to the Eighth Prince's daughters.

As the months pass on into a sad winter at Uji, Kaoru goes to the villa where the princesses are staying to console them in their deep mourning. While he is in Uji, Kaoru asks to visit the chapel where the Eighth Prince prayed. Once inside the chapel, he prays to Buddha in the hope that the Eighth Prince might reach nirvana.

Chapter 46 Analysis

The fact that Niou's messenger makes such good time with...