I will attempt a possible reinterpretation of the narrative by paying attention to the significance of sacrifice and border-crossing, for example, in the case of Ise Monogatari. Akuta River described in the chapter on Nijo no Kisaki is the river that runs through the court, defining foulness and purification. In evidence, from the archaeological sites concerning the festive activities at ancient palaces, dolls and human-faced containers are excavated. I also want to argue that the episode of Narihira crossing the border between Ise and Owari indicates, that, together with the Nijo no Kisaki chapter, the Saigu chapter markes the starting point of Narihira's travel to Kanto. The episodes of sacrifice and border-crossing here correspond with the similar features of The Tales of the Genji. It can be said that Ise Monogatari establishes its unique asethetic of sacrifice through the traces of border-crossing.
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