Kaguya Hime (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter)

Kaguya Hime is one of Japan’s oldest and most famous folktales. It tells the story of a poor bamboo cutter who one day discovered a glowing stalk of bamboo. Inside it, he found a tiny, radiant girl. He and his wife raised her as their daughter and named her Kaguya Hime, which means "Princess Kaguya."

As she grew, her beauty became legendary, attracting noblemen from across the land. Many sought her hand in marriage, but she set them impossible tasks—such as finding mythical treasures—that none could complete. Even the Emperor himself admired her deeply, but she could not stay with him.

Eventually, Kaguya Hime revealed her true origin: she came from the Moon. When the time came, celestial beings descended to take her back. Heartbroken, she left her earthly parents and the Emperor behind, reminding humanity of the fleeting nature of beauty, love, and life itself.