Vanished into the Clouds (zombie mashup)

(I have chosen to submit the beginning and end of the lost chapter of the Tale of Genji, Vanished into the Clouds, which comes after Chapter 40. In most editions it left blank, as they are based on an old manuscript form where the chapter is left blank with only the title. This is because the chapter was considered too heretical to leave about, and when that copy was made, it was omitted. I wish I could take full credit for it, but alas, I could only offer a poor translation. I have used the names from the Seidensticker translation. In it, Genji decides to use forbidden knowledge which he gains from the many sages to travel the path that Izanagi did to the land of Yomi to get Murasaki back. However, in the process he raises Izanami to full vengence, and her and her servants wreak havok on the lands, rasing the dead and being problematic. Over the course of the chapter, Genji lives up to his oft ommitted destiny of cleanser of the land in the same fashion of his ancestor Ameterasu, ultimately purifying himself and Izanami in the process, and performing a great sacrifice in holding Izanami in check for eternity, thereby letting the world flourish.)

Vanished into the Clouds

In secret, Genji had spoken with the holy man who visited in the twelfth month, about knowledge not spoken of. The clinging of a spirit can cause it to languish beyond where it should. Though Yugiri had taken charge of the memorial services twelve months before, Genji had made his own. Now the holy man confirmed his suspicion, that Murasaki could be brought back, if one were to travel the paths that Izanagi walked, in the veil of clouds beyond the world.

Genji made his silent preparations, not even letting the third princess know of his planned travels. Gathering his meagre supplies, donning a black conic hat, saffron jacket, black trousers and crimson cloak, he set off towards Yomotsuhirasaka, leaving only a single poem written on pure white paper to be delivered to Karou.

“In the darkness of the mists beyond the lands

The comb shall reveal the platter placed for her still full”

Such was the glory of the shining prince that none would confront him about walking the forbidden way, towards death. His eyes sparkled like those of a phoenix. Onward he marched, first to the shrine of the sage in the hills to the north who had known her first all those years ago, who was said to know the way.

After, he continued on towards what for lesser men would have certainly been doom, to Hibasan to roll back the boulder. The foul vapours were unleashed, but even amongst them lingered the sweet smell of blossoms.

Traveling into the dark, he danced the path, to not disturb the inhabitants. He dared not light anything, less they befoul him. His movements were such perfection that even these lost demons and gods could not touch him, but only sit in wonderment.

There in the depths he found her, his poem to Karou being revelation instead of desire. But there he also found the mother of the islands.

….

….

And so, after all that had happened, his saffron jacket stained as crimson as his cloak from the blood of those raised from death by the shikome and the shikome themselves, he stood facing the mother of the islands. Even her skills could not best him, even as she struck down and raised the dead to fight him. He was quick, the most glorious mortal ever to live.

As she gazed upon him, the impossible happened. Where the first man failed, the bright Genji succeeded. Her countenance lost the maggots, and became sweet.

“Oh bright child of the Sun forgiveness is undeserved,

But something I will accept from you that I would not from the spearbearer.”

With all he had lost, he had found the path of Kannon. The relentless hordes of Yomi had burned away desires from his form, so that all of the many indiscretions of his life were burned away. In a final sacrifice, he took the lady’s hand, her form returning to that like life. Together, they retreated into the darkness that was dark no longer, past the clouds and bright Genji walked the earth no more.