Once upon a time, in the quiet, serene countryside of Japan, there lived an old bamboo cutter named Taketori no Okina and his wife, Ounaa. The couple was childless and longed for a child to fill their hearts with joy. Every day, Taketori no Okina ventured into the bamboo groves, cutting and gathering bamboo to sell at the market. One bright and tranquil morning, while the bamboo cutter was working in the forest, he noticed an unusual, glowing bamboo stalk. The light it emitted was soft yet radiant, compelling him to investigate further.
As he approached and cut the stalk open, he found a tiny, exquisite baby girl, no larger than his thumb, nestled inside. The girl was surrounded by a delicate, shimmering light, which made her appear otherworldly. Surprised and delighted, he gently picked her up and brought her home to his wife. Ounaa was overjoyed at the sight of the child, and they decided to raise her as their own, naming her Kaguya-hime, which means "Shining Princess." From that day forward, their lives were filled with happiness and love, and they marveled at how quickly she grew, becoming a beautiful young woman of incomparable grace and beauty.
As Kaguya-hime grew, so did her charm and intelligence. She was not only beautiful but also kind and wise beyond her years. She brought immense joy to her adoptive parents, and the family prospered. Each time Taketori no Okina went to the forest to cut bamboo, he found gold nuggets inside the bamboo stalks. This miraculous occurrence enriched the family, allowing them to live comfortably and generously help those in need.
The fame of Kaguya-hime's beauty spread far and wide, reaching the ears of noblemen and suitors from distant lands. Five of the wealthiest and most powerful suitors came to ask for her hand in marriage. Each one was determined to win her heart, but Kaguya-hime, wishing to avoid marriage, devised seemingly impossible tasks for each suitor, promising to marry the one who could complete their task.
The first suitor was a powerful prince who was asked to bring her the stone begging bowl of the Buddha from India. Believing it would be a simple task for someone of his status, he set off on his journey. However, he soon realized the task was far more difficult than he had anticipated. After months of searching and enduring hardships, he returned with a counterfeit bowl, hoping to deceive Kaguya-hime. She saw through his deceit and politely declined his proposal.
The second suitor, a wealthy minister, was tasked with retrieving a branch from the mythical island of Hōrai, which bore jewels instead of fruit. The minister spent a fortune sending ships and men to search for the island, but they returned empty-handed. Desperate, he commissioned a craftsman to create a fake branch adorned with jewels. Kaguya-hime, with her keen eye, recognized the forgery and rejected him as well.
The third suitor, a brave warrior, was to find the legendary robe of the fire-rat from China. He journeyed across treacherous lands and faced many dangers. After several years, he returned with what he claimed was the fire-rat's robe. However, when Kaguya-hime tested it by putting it into the fire, it was consumed by the flames, proving it was not the genuine article.
The fourth suitor, a nobleman known for his daring exploits, needed to bring back a colored jewel from a dragon’s neck. He ventured into the dragon’s lair, battling fierce storms and sea monsters. Despite his bravery, he returned empty-handed, unable to find the elusive dragon.
Finally, the fifth suitor, a clever merchant, was asked to fetch a cowrie shell born from swallows. He searched high and low, but such a shell did not exist. Undeterred, he tried to trick Kaguya-hime by presenting an ordinary shell, claiming it was born from swallows. Kaguya-hime, unimpressed by his deceit, turned him away.
Each suitor, eager to win Kaguya-hime’s hand, had set out on their respective quests. However, each one failed in their attempts, either by returning with fraudulent items or giving up entirely. Kaguya-hime’s cleverness and determination ensured that she remained free from unwanted marriage, but the stories of the suitors’ quests only added to her legend.
Despite her resolve to stay unmarried, Kaguya-hime’s beauty continued to attract attention, even from the Emperor of Japan, Mikado. Upon hearing of her unmatched beauty, he decided to visit her himself. When the Emperor arrived, he was instantly captivated by Kaguya-hime's grace and charm. He too asked for her hand in marriage, but Kaguya-hime, though respectful, declined his proposal. She explained that she was not of this world and could not stay forever.
The Emperor, deeply saddened by her refusal, nonetheless respected her wishes. He and Kaguya-hime exchanged letters and poems, sharing a deep, platonic bond. They found solace in their correspondence, and the Emperor often sent gifts and messengers to ensure her well-being. During this time, Kaguya-hime’s melancholy grew. On moonlit nights, she would gaze at the moon with tears in her eyes, hinting at a secret sorrow.
One night, as the full moon shone brightly in the sky, Kaguya-hime revealed to her adoptive parents that she was not of this Earth. She had been sent from the Moon Kingdom as a punishment and would soon have to return. Her heartbroken parents pleaded with her to stay, but Kaguya-hime's fate was sealed. She had no choice but to return to her celestial home.
The news of her impending departure spread quickly, and the entire village was engulfed in sorrow. The Emperor himself came to see her one last time, hoping to change her mind. But Kaguya-hime, with a heavy heart, explained that her return was inevitable. She expressed her deep gratitude for the love and care she had received from her adoptive parents and the Emperor.
On the appointed night, a celestial entourage descended from the moon, clad in luminous robes and riding on clouds. They arrived to escort Kaguya-hime back to her true home. As they approached, Kaguya-hime tearfully bade farewell to her earthly parents and the Emperor. She gave her parents a vial of the Elixir of Immortality, but in their grief, they refused to drink it, not wishing to live forever without her.
The Emperor, deeply moved by Kaguya-hime’s departure, sent his most trusted warriors to accompany her to the moon. They were tasked with protecting her during the journey. As Kaguya-hime ascended with the celestial beings, she looked back at the Earth, tears streaming down her face. The sight of her adoptive parents and the Emperor, standing together in sorrow, remained etched in her heart.
Upon reaching the moon, Kaguya-hime was welcomed by the Moon Kingdom’s rulers and her celestial family. Though she was home, she could not shake the memories of her life on Earth. The love and kindness she had experienced with her adoptive parents and the bond she had formed with the Emperor weighed heavily on her heart.
The Emperor, too, was left heartbroken. He sent his warriors to the highest peak of the land, carrying the Elixir of Immortality and a letter from him to Kaguya-hime, expressing his undying love and sorrow. He commanded them to burn the Elixir and the letter on the peak, hoping that his words and the essence of the Elixir would reach Kaguya-hime on the moon.
As the flames consumed the Elixir and the letter, the smoke rose high into the sky, towards the moon. The peak where this took place came to be known as Mount Fuji, meaning "immortal," and to this day, the mountain continues to emit smoke, a reminder of the Emperor's love for Kaguya-hime and the Elixir of Immortality.
Kaguya-hime, back in her celestial home, looked down upon the Earth, forever cherishing the memories of her time among humans and the love she had experienced. Her story became a legend, passed down through generations, reminding people of the ephemeral nature of beauty and love, and the poignant longing for a place one can never truly return to.
Even after returning to the Moon Kingdom, Kaguya-hime’s thoughts often drifted back to her life on Earth. She missed the simple joys of human existence, the warmth of her parents' love, and the companionship of the Emperor. She found solace in the moonlit nights, gazing down at the Earth, hoping to catch a glimpse of the places she once called home.
In the Moon Kingdom, Kaguya-hime was revered for her earthly experiences. Her stories of human life, filled with emotions, hardships, and joys, fascinated the celestial beings. They listened intently as she recounted tales of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of happiness. Through her stories, Kaguya-hime bridged the gap between the celestial and human worlds, teaching the Moon Kingdom’s inhabitants about the beauty and fragility of human life.
As the years passed, the legend of Princess Kaguya continued to inspire and enchant people both on Earth and in the Moon Kingdom. Her story was a reminder of the profound connections that transcend worlds, the power of love, and the enduring nature of memories. Kaguya-hime’s
tale lived on, a beacon of light and hope, forever illuminating the hearts of those who heard it.
