A Story of Love, Mystery, and the Moon

Known as The Tale of Princess Kaguya, this is one of Japan’s oldest and most mysterious stories. It dates back over a thousand years and continues to capture imaginations today.

The story begins with a bamboo cutter who finds a glowing bamboo stalk. Inside is a tiny baby girl. He and his wife raise her as their own. As she grows, her beauty becomes legendary, and soon noblemen and even the Emperor seek her hand in marriage. However, she refuses them all.

Eventually, she reveals that she is not from Earth. She is a celestial being from the Moon, sent to Earth for a short time. Her stay is over, and she must return. Despite the love she has found on Earth, she leaves behind her adopted parents and admirers.

This story reflects themes of beauty, impermanence, and unfulfilled love. It’s also a poetic introduction to classical Japanese expressions and values. Language learners often study simplified versions of this tale to practice reading and understanding deeper emotional themes.

Today, this story is celebrated during moon-viewing festivals and has been adapted into books, anime, and even a Studio Ghibli film. It remains one of Japan’s most moving and symbolic legends.