The Legend of the Bamboo Cutter and the Princess of the Moon

A long time ago, an old and humble man who was cutting bamboo saw that one of the logs
he’d gathered was glittering in a strange way as if it was illuminated by the moon. Taking the log in
his hands, he realized that inside was a beautiful and tiny little girl, about 7 centimeters tall. The man
took her home because he’d never had children, and between him and his wife, they took care of her
as if she were their own daughter. She was named Princess Moonlight. The branch of bamboo in
which the man had found the strange visitor began to produce gold and gems and the bamboo
cutter became a rich man in a short time.

The strange girl grew into a beautiful woman of normal size, and over the years, people
began to learn of the existence and beauty of this lady. Suitors traveled from all over to request her
hand. On one occasion, five honorable gentlemen approached the house of the bamboo cutter
trying to persuade him to allow his adopted daughter to marry. He was old and didn’t want to leave
her alone upon dying, they argued. But she refused to take any husband, making impossible requests
of her suitors in to avoid marrying them.

The existence of the beautiful young woman came to the attention of the emperor, who
requested that she appear in his court. When she refused, he visited her and, upon seeing her, he too
fell madly in love with her. The emperor tried to take the girl to his palace to marry her, but the
young woman assured him that if she were taken by force, she would become a shadow and then
disappear forever.

Each night, she watched the sky with melancholy. It was time to return to her place of
origin, and it was then that she confessed to her adoptive father, in tears, that she had come from
the moon and that her time on Earth was to end. Upon learning of this, the emperor sent guards to
the house of the bamboo cutter, to try to prevent the princess from returning to her place of origin.

One night, the moon was covered by a cloud. This quickly began to descend towards the
Earth, while the sky grew ever darker. A carriage manned by luminous beings arrived for the
princess. She left a letter and a small bottle with the Elixir of Life for the emperor before leaving.
Frightened, he ordered that both be taken to the top of the most sacred mountain of that land and
there, burned.

To this day, it’s remembered that when there is smoke upon Mount Fuji, this is the letter and
elixir that the Princess of the Moon left for the emperor and these will continue to burn at the
mountain’s peak.
Synopsis:

The story revolves around a humble bamboo cutter named Okina (or sometimes called
Sanuki no Miyatsuko) who discovers a tiny, radiant princess inside a glowing bamboo stalk. This
princess, who he and his wife Ouna (also known as Ona) name Kaguya-hime due to her celestial
beauty, grows into a captivating woman in just a few months. Kaguya-hime attracts numerous
suitors from powerful and influential families, but she sets them all impossible tasks to prove their
love for her.

Kaguya-hime eventually reveals her true celestial origins and the reason for her earthly
incarnation. She is from the Moon and was sent to Earth as a test or punishment. As her time on
Earth comes to an end, celestial beings arrive to take her back to the Moon. Kaguya-hime leaves
behind a letter and some tokens of her time on Earth for her earthly parents, expressing her love
and gratitude.

Summary:

"The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" is a poignant and mystical narrative that explores themes
of love, longing, and the transient nature of human existence. Kaguya-hime's beauty and mystery
captivate those around her, yet she remains elusive, symbolizing the unreachable and ephemeral
nature of our desires. The story also highlights the selflessness and love of her earthly parents, who
provide for her even when they know her true nature.

Ultimately, the story serves as a reflection on the impermanence of life and the idea that
some things are beyond human control or possession. Kaguya-hime's return to the Moon signifies
the inevitability of destiny and the acceptance of the natural order of things.

"The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" has inspired countless adaptations in Japanese literature,
theater, film, and other forms of media, and it continues to be a cherished part of Japan's cultural
heritage.