The scene in which Miyasudokoro notices that her hair and clothing had the smell of mustard (incense used in incantation to exorcise evil spirits) and knew that she herself became a wraith causing harm to Aoi no ue and her trembling in fear is one of the climaxes of the first half of the story.
御息所が、己の髪や衣服から芥子（悪霊を退けるための加持に用いる香）の匂いがするのを知って、さてはわが身が生霊となって葵の上にあだをなしたか、と悟りおののく場面は物語前半のクライマックスのひとつである。