In The Tale of Genji, by Murasaki Shikibu, the main character, Genji, grows out of the darkness of his mother's early passing. The void left behind, and subsequent search for a true love is the motivation for much of the goings on in Genji's life.
For most of the first chapter, Genji is a child. He is the love child of the Emperor and Kiritsubo and the most beautiful child anyone has ever seen. His stunning good looks eventually earn him the nickname, the Shining Lord. Because his mother died when he was still a toddler, Genji grew up not knowing what she looked like, but he knew how remarkable a woman she must have been because of how much the Emperor missed her. It was because of the Emperor's love for Genji's mother that he clung to Genji so tightly. The Emperor spent as much time with Genji and raised him himself as much as his position would allow. .
For years, the Emperor missed Kiritsubo terribly. After trying to find a replacement for her, but to no avail, with a heavy heart, he concluded that he would not find anyone like her. Then he received word from his Dame of Staff that a former Emperor had a daughter, known for her beauty and brought up by her mother. She had a striking resemblance to Kiritsubo. The Emperor was stricken and he married her right away. Genji heard the buzz around Fujitsubo about how she looked a great deal like his late mother, Kiritsubo. When Genji saw her, he too loved her immediately. He would flirt with her in his boyish way by bringing her flowers and autumn leaves.
At the end of chapter one, the Emperor arranges a marriage between Genji and the daughter of the Minister of the Left, Aoi. She is somewhat older than Genji who is 12 when they marry. Because Aoi is of high rank, as her mother is Princess Omiya, this assures that Genji will remain among the high ranks and be well taken care of. This loveless marriage, however, was only a constant reminder to Genji that he was without a true love.
