Between these two episodes are inserted the following episodes: the hero's tragic love affair with Nijo no Kisaki, 'Azuma Kudari' where he journeys into Eastern provinces, his amour with Ise Saigu (Vestal Virgin of Ise), and the master-subject love between Imperial Prince Koretaka and him.
この間に、二条后との悲恋や、東国へ流離する「東下り（あずまくだり）」、伊勢の斎宮との交渉や惟喬親王との主従愛を描く挿話が置かれる。