Uji
The last 10 chapters of The Genji are set in and around what was then the wild and remote area of Uji. |
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View upriver from the Uji Bridge in April. The most well-known image
from The Genji is of Ukifune and Niou crossing this river on a winter's
night.
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Uji has a number of sites associated with The Tale of Genji. One of them is the lovely Mimuroto-ji temple. |
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Upstream.
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As recounted in The Tale of the Heike, in the year 1181 Prince Mochihito was persuaded to act as the figurehead for a rebellion against the Taira clan. At the battle of Uji Bridge, the small Genji force was defeated and the prince killed. |
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The current Uji Bridge is
made of concrete and wood but based on original designs.
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The Genji commanders, Yorimasa and Nakatsuna, committed suicide in the Byodo-in fishing pavillion. |
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Byodo-in, the only surviving example of Heian temple architecture, was
originally Fujiwara Michinaga's villa. It was converted into a temple
by his son in 1052.
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The belfry at Mimuroto-ji temple is associated with Ukifune in The
Tale of Genji.
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View upriver from the Uji Bridge in autumn.
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