The episode in which Genji burns the letter written by the late Murasaki no ue (cremated on August 15 (old lunar calendar)) seems to have been inspired by "Taketori Monogatari" (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter), in which Mikado (Emperor) burns an elixir of life sent by Kaguya Hime (Lady Kaguya) who returned to the moon on August 15.
また、源氏が故紫の上（8月15日(旧暦)に火葬）の手紙を焼くエピソードは、『竹取物語』で八月十五日に月へ帰ったかぐや姫から贈られた不死の薬を帝が焼く話から着想したと思われる。