Ukifune

Ukifune (浮舟, うきふね) is the nickname of a princess in The Tale of Genji, the unrecognized daughter of the Eighth Prince.

Ukifune is the unrecognized daughter of the Eighth Prince, the half sister of Oigimi and Nakanokimi, and a young lady of uncommon beauty and grace.

Both Kaoru and Prince Niou court Ukifune and seek her love, and she agonizes over the proper choice.

In order to release herself from the love triangle, Ukifune attempts suicide by throwing herself into the Uji River, but is unsuccessful.

Having been rescued, she takes vows to become a Buddhist nun and secludes herself in Ono, at the western foot of Mount Hiei.

A page from a 13th-century illustrated version of the "A Boat Cast Adrift" / "Ukifune" chapter in The Tale of Genji . In it, Ukifune reads a letter from Kaoru reproaching her for being unfaithful to him with Prince Niō, and Ukifune nervously faces her inkstone and brush and considers how to reply.