Story Summary
Discover the ethereal tale of Kaguya-hime the Moon Princess, a celestial being found in bamboo who captivates a nation before returning to her lunar home.
Long ago, an old bamboo cutter named Sanuki no Miyatsuko discovered a stalk of bamboo glowing with an ethereal light. Inside, he found a tiny infant girl no larger than his thumb. He and his wife raised her as their own, naming her Kaguya-hime. She grew into a woman of extraordinary beauty in just three months, and with her presence, the old man found gold in the bamboo he cut, making him wealthy. Word of her beauty spread, and five high-ranking princes came to seek her hand in marriage. To test their sincerity, Kaguya-hime set them each an impossible task, such as retrieving the stone bowl of the Buddha or a branch from a jeweled tree. All failed through deceit or despair. Even the Emperor of Japan fell in love with her, but she refused him too, claiming she was not of this world. Eventually, Kaguya-hime revealed her secret: she was a princess from the Moon, sent to Earth for a time as punishment or protection. Despite the Emperor's guards' attempts to stop her, a celestial carriage descended from the heavens. After leaving a letter and the elixir of immortality for the Emperor, she donned a robe of feathers, forgot her earthly attachments, and ascended back to her lunar kingdom.
The Moral
True love and beauty cannot be possessed by force or wealth, and all earthly attachments are ultimately transient.
“Though I may go to the palace of the Moon, my heart shall ever remain wandering in this world of men.”
Fun Fact
The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter is often considered the world's first example of proto-science fiction due to its themes of extraterrestrial life and celestial travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Kaguya-hime the Moon Princess?
The story emphasizes the transience of life and the idea that some things, like the soul or celestial beings, cannot be owned or kept forever. It also teaches that material wealth and status are secondary to genuine character and destiny.
Why did Kaguya-hime have to return to the moon?
As a celestial being, her time on Earth was temporary, often described as an exile for an unspoken crime or a period of protection. Once her time was up, the Moon people reclaimed her, and her memories of Earth were erased by a magical feather robe.
What were the five impossible tasks?
The tasks included bringing the stone begging bowl of Buddha, a branch from a tree with golden roots and white jade fruit, the robe of the fire-rat, a colored jewel from a dragon's neck, and a cowry shell born of a swallow.
How does the story explain the name of Mount Fuji?
The Emperor, heartbroken, ordered the elixir of immortality Kaguya-hime left him to be burned on the highest mountain peak. The word for immortality (fushi) became associated with the mountain, and the smoke is said to still rise today.
Who found Kaguya-hime?
She was found by an old, humble bamboo cutter named Sanuki no Miyatsuko, who noticed a glowing stalk of bamboo while performing his daily work in the forest.
Is Kaguya-hime a real historical figure?
No, she is a fictional character from 'The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter,' which is considered the oldest surviving Japanese prose narrative, dating back to the 10th century.
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