Emperor Ichijo, who had listened to recitations of The Tale of Genji, praised the author to the court, saying that the author must be greatly talented to be conversant with Nihongi. The Minister of the Left, who heard this, started a rumor that the author wanted to be named Otsubone, Court Lady of Nihongi. "Unbelievable," said Shikibu on hearing about this. "I never displayed my knowledge in the Palace, nor did I in front of the maid."'
「内裏の上の源氏の物語人に読ませたまひつつ聞こしめしけるにこの人は日本紀をこそよみたまへけれまことに才あるべしとのたまはせけるをふと推しはかりにいみじうなむさえかあると殿上人などに言ひ散らして日本紀の御局ぞつけたりけるいとをかしくぞはべる」