An inadequately protected girl in the world of tale, and still more those to whom her future matters, may fear that a suitor means only to toy with her. Genji’s approaches appal Murasaki’s grandmother because she cannot believe he is serious and clearly suspects him of strange desires. No one would believe him today, either, but he has no intention of treating Murasaki lightly or of misbehaving. Wakashiro Kiiko, among others, acknowledged the honorable character of his conduct when she wrote, “If Genji were insensitive he could never have waited so patiently for the little girl to grow up.”^[33] His abduction of Murasaki is certainly startling (Enchi Fumiko found it “uniquely manly and quite wild”),^[34] but in the long run it is no offense against her. While some condemn him for depriving her of her autonomy, she really has none to lose, and no hope otherwise of anything like such a marriage. Her stepmother would certainly see to that, lest Murasaki overshadow her own daughters.

Having treated Murasaki from the start with affection and respect, Genji at last consummates his marriage with her in the same spirit. It is understandable, however, that the radical feminist Komashaku Kimi should have viewed this consummation, from Murasaki’s perspective, as rape, as did Setouchi Jakuchō; while Norma Field wrote of “a betrayal both horrifying and humiliating.”^[35] Genji’s action has irreparably tarnished his character for some contemporary scholars and students, especially in the United States. In an effort to salvage his reputation, Margaret Childs argued that he “seduces” rather than rapes Murasaki,^[36] but the narrative really leaves no escape. Genji’s first intercourse with Murasaki is a complete surprise to her, and the issue of consent does not arise.

Unequivocal condemnation of Genji over this issue involves an appraisal of Genji, and a reading of the tale as a whole, that upholds contemporary moral, legal, and social standards over an incident that the tale’s author and her intended audience, whose world differed from ours, presumably enjoyed. Even in modern Japan, few writers on the tale criticize Genji over the issue, or even raise it. Tanabe Seiko called the marriage consummation scene wonderfully sexy, while Wakashiro Kiiko, who acknowledged Murasaki’s dismay, observed only that the author had perfectly captured “a girl’s feelings” (onna-gokoro).^[37] There is right on both sides, and the disagreement can be resolved no further. However, it is worth withholding condemnation and viewing Genji’s action in a wider context.

Genji actually tried to prepare Murasaki for this moment, but in vain. She did not even notice his attempts to stir her interest, once he believed her ready. “It was a pleasure to see that his young lady had turned out to be all he could wish,” the narrator says, “and since he judged that the time had now more or less come, he began to drop suggestive hints; but she gave no sign of understanding.”^[38] The true character of her situation is beyond her, and Genji has long refrained from pressing her. His decision to act ends her innocence, but nothing in the narrative suggests long-term resentment on her part; nor does it upset anyone else at the time. Her women, who assume that the moment passed long ago, are only surprised, and once the marriage cakes are eaten her nurse weeps with happiness, since under the circumstances nothing obliged Genji to go through a marriage ceremony at all.^[39]

As Murasaki enters womanhood, she is therefore all she should be. Her purity, untainted by any breath of desire, proves her quality, just as Genji’s patience towards her proves his. To respond to his advances and consent to first intercourse, she would have to divine what intercourse is and feel drawn to it, but if she did, she would not be a perfect young lady.^[40] That she is still perfect after years of sleeping beside him, and he therefore a perfect gentleman towards her, has something of the fairytale about it, but what matters is that each should be worthy of the other. Since they are, it is up to Genji to act. That is why he who loves her is only charmed by her outrage, and why the issue never comes up again.

Unhappily, marriage does not make Murasaki secure, despite Genji’s goodwill. She will always lack influential backing, being childless will always leave her a little vulnerable, and the flaw in her background will become a more and more pressing issue as Genji rises in rank.