I love the way you take us back to Imperial Japan, to the time of the Genji. Your tone evokes the era and you use vocabulary credibly. I did get a little lost in the next to the last paragraph.

I thought Despavorido was a person, until I looked the word up. The narrative is very effective, but for me it would be even better if the last few events -- when I think he goes back into the palace and is killed, ironically, by the machine designed to save him--were clearer.

Probably my reading, not your writing, at fault here.

I was particularly eager to read your story because you said you left your comfort zone. I think we must always leave our comfort zones if we want to grow--as writers, or in any other way. I respect your courage :)