Kaoru Genji
Kaoru is a fictional character in The Tale of Genji [1] (Genji Monogatari). He only appears as the lead for the novel's third act, called the 'Uji Jujo' (Uji Chapters). Kaoru has sometimes been called the first anti-hero in literature and is known for always having a strange but pleasant smell around him. He is known to be comparatively calculated and calm, and somewhat of an overthinker, as opposed to his love rival and close friend, Niou, who happens to be more "passionate" than he is.
He is the son of Hikaru Genji's wife, "Third Princess" (known as Onna san no miya in the Seidensticker version, or Nyōsan in Waley's), and Genji's nephew Kashiwagi. Kaoru is known to the world as Genji's son even though he was in fact fathered by Genji's nephew.
The final chapters of the Tale of Genji abruptly end, with Kaoru wondering if the lady he loves, Ukifune, is being hidden away by Niou, an imperial prince and the son of Genji's daughter, the current Empress now that Reizei has abdicated the throne.
Characteristics
Kaoru's main characteristic is his natural fragrance and distinct scent. His name, Kaoru is short for Kaoru Chujo which means 'the Fragrant Captain'.[2] His fragrance is described as "unlike anything else in this world" and resembles the 'hundred-pace' incense often used for scenting clothes.
Although his natural fragrance enhances other perfumes of nature – scented wood, plum blossoms, and purple trousers – his scent becomes a source of embarrassment for him as his distinct smell disables him from conducting love affairs in secrecy. His scent is even confused with Niou's, his friend and sexual rival, causing complications that lead to an affair between Ukifune and Niou.
References
- Tale of Genji Museum
- Gatten, Aileen (1977). "A Wisp of Smoke. Scent and Character in The Tale of Genji". Monumenta Nipponica. 32 (1): 35–48. doi:10.2307/2384070. ISSN 0027-0741.