The Tale of Princess Kaguya in English, Story of Japan, Subtitles

Summary

The Tale of Princess Kaguya tells the story of a humble bamboo cutter who discovers a glowing bamboo stalk, inside which is a tiny, glowing girl. He names her Kaguya-hime, and she grows into an extraordinary beauty, attracting many suitors. However, she reveals that she is a celestial being from the Moon, sent to Earth for safety. As her lunar people come to take her back, Kaguya-hime says a sorrowful goodbye to her Earth parents, gifting them an elixir of immortality. In their grief, they offer it to the heavens, and the smoke from Mount Fuji is said to carry their love for her.

Takeaways

• 🌿 A humble bamboo cutter named Sanuki no Miyatsuko finds a glowing bamboo stalk and discovers a miniature, heavenly girl inside.
• 👶 The tiny girl is named Kaguya-hime, which means 'Shining Princess of Flexible Bamboos,' and is taken in by Miyatsuko and his wife.
• 🌟 Within months, Kaguya-hime grows into a full-sized, breathtakingly beautiful woman with an otherworldly allure.
• 💍 Kaguya-hime's beauty spreads throughout the kingdom, attracting numerous suitors, including five noble princes and the Emperor.
• 🛠️ Kaguya-hime challenges her suitors with impossible tasks, and all of them fail, despite their efforts.
• 😢 Kaguya-hime begins to show signs of sadness and frequently gazes at the moon, often in tears.
• 🌕 The truth is revealed: Kaguya-hime is from the Moon, sent to Earth for her safety during a war in the Moon Kingdom.
• 🚀 Celestial beings from the Moon arrive to escort Kaguya-hime back to her lunar home, despite her strong bond with her Earth parents.
• 💔 Kaguya-hime writes farewell letters to her parents and the Emperor, and gives her parents an elixir of immortality before she departs.
• 🌋 Miyatsuko and his wife, heartbroken by their daughter's departure, choose not to use the elixir of immortality and instead offer it to the heavens at Mount Fuji.
• 🌌 It's said that the smoke rising from Mount Fuji represents the parents' love and longing for their daughter, forever reaching towards the moon.

Q & A

What is the significance of the glowing bamboo stalk in the story?

The glowing bamboo stalk is a key plot element, as it leads to the discovery of Kaguya-hime, the celestial princess. It symbolizes the mysterious and otherworldly nature of her origins.

Why did Sanuki no Miyatsuko name the girl Kaguya-hime?

Sanuki no Miyatsuko named her Kaguya-hime, which translates to 'Shining Princess of Flexible Bamboos,' because she was found inside a glowing bamboo stalk and her beauty was ethereal and radiant.

How did Kaguya-hime’s parents react to her rapid growth?

Her Earth parents were astonished by her rapid growth, as she went from a tiny, thumb-sized girl to a full-sized, beautiful woman in just a few months. They raised her with love and care, despite her mysterious origin.

Why did many suitors seek Kaguya-hime’s hand in marriage?

Kaguya-hime's extraordinary beauty captivated many, including five noble princes and the Emperor of Japan, all of whom were eager to marry her.

What tasks did Kaguya-hime set for her suitors, and why did they fail?

Kaguya-hime set each suitor an impossible task, designed to test their worthiness. The tasks were nearly unachievable, ensuring that none of the suitors succeeded, which revealed her reluctance to marry.

What signs did Kaguya-hime show that revealed her true identity?

Kaguya-hime often gazed longingly at the moon, shedding tears, which hinted at her sadness. Eventually, she confessed that she was from the Moon, and her people were coming to take her back.

Why was Kaguya-hime sent to Earth in the first place?

Kaguya-hime was sent to Earth as a child to escape a war in the Moon Kingdom. It was a safety measure to protect her from the turmoil.

How did Kaguya-hime’s departure affect her Earth parents?

Her Earth parents were heartbroken at her departure. Despite their love for her, they could not prevent her from returning to her celestial home, and they chose not to use the elixir of immortality she gave them.

What was the significance of the elixir of immortality?

The elixir of immortality was a gift from Kaguya-hime to her Earth parents before she left. However, they chose not to use it, as they couldn't bear the thought of living forever without their beloved daughter.

Why did Kaguya-hime’s parents climb Mount Fuji, and what does it symbolize?

Kaguya-hime’s parents climbed Mount Fuji to offer the elixir to the heavens, as a symbol of their love and longing for their daughter. The smoke rising from the peak is said to carry their emotions toward the moon where she now resides.