Hikaru-Genji's Chrysanthemum Ornament in His Dance for Suzaku-In : The Meaning of the "Kazashi" Ornament in a Contrast between Chrysanthemum and Maple

Abstract

There is a controversial scene in Genji-nionogatari where Suzaku-In in his imperial visit told Hikaru-Genji to take off his "kazashi" ornament of maple and instead gave him another ornament of chrysanthemum, enigmatically saying "Its color never fades." What does this act mean? What is the difference between chrysanthemum and maple? To make clear what the scene means, here I will examine the significance of chrysanthemum as well as that of maple in several other poems. In a symbolic contrast between the two plants, chrysanthemum represents the blessing of the Emperor Kiritsubo.