Book Three: Pages 272 through 328 Summary and Analysis

In the year of Tenroku (972), at last MM's heart is at peace. Although there is much activity—the Coming of Age Ceremony and the Presentation of the White Horses Ceremony—MM is disinterested. There are interactions between MM and Fujiwara but they are uneventful and not especially joyful to MM. Fujiwara is promoted to senior counselor. Michitsuna seems to be pleased and Fujiwara is insulted that MM does not send him congratulations. He tells her that his "happiness seems to be for nothing." (279) Fujiwara sends a message sometime later asking why he has not heard from her. She responds that with his new position, she realizes that he will have even less time for her. She no longer frets, however; she is at peace about their relationship.

MM's main focus turns to her...