平林 優子

From the 19 textbooks on classical Japanese literature published by 10 companies for the 2007 school year, I selected the 4 most popular titles and examined how the Tale of Genji is featured in each. I found that there were considerable differences among the books-for instance, some featured sections that were not typically chosen, while others continued to feature popular sections but varied in the passages they chose or in the discussion questions they presented in the study guide. All of this indicates that the makers of the textbooks are putting much effort into distinguishing their materials from others through distinctly different editing policies. Furthermore, in recent years, excerpts from works considered to be sequels to the Tale of Genji (i.e. "Nio no Miya Sanjo" and "Uji Jyujo") have been included less and less. Yet we must not forget that these sequels represent the end of the tale. Thus it seems questionable to completely disregard them.

Kumoinokari is the daughter of Tonochujo's mistress. She is frequently mentioned only in tales of the "Book of Otome" and the "Book of Yugiri." Although she is completely minor part in the tale, recent scholars have focused on her unwomanly behavior symbolized by jealousy after grabbing a letter sent to her husband by Ichijonomiyasudokoro and bitterly quarrelling with her husband. By the way, it is common that such actions by a woman are blamed. However, Kumoinokari is not criticized, marvelously. In this paper, her positioning and significance, as well as the author's need for her in the tale were considered from the perspective of paying attention to the process of social infrastructure supporting her. Kumoinokari stands out as immature and very obedient in the "Book of Otome." She fell in love with Yugiri against the wish of Tonochujo's family. In order not to be disqualified as a daughter of Tonochujo, she tried to be obedient to her family. After marriage with Yugiri, she moved to the residence of Sanjo where the late Omiya used to live, and would continue to have a strong social presence inside of Tonochujo's family. However, the "Book of Fujinouraba" and the following three tales are not told by the viewpoint of Kumoinokari on her married life. Around ten years after her marriage, she was changed, because her husband, Yugiri had an affair with Ochibanomiya. Kumoinokari felt as if she lost everything, and after quarrelling with her husband, she chose to return to her father's home and build a new life. Her quarrels and actions make surrounding people recognize the strength of her social base, and bring about the result that people accept her actions that deviates from aristocratic society. She has changed from obedient daughter to majestic mother and wife. It is clear Kumoinokari had established her own social position gradually by receiving the complete support of her father.