The Bamboo Cutter and the Moon Princess
An old man, a glowing bamboo stalk, and a princess who came from the moon
Page 1
In old Japan, there lived an old bamboo cutter named Taketori no Okina. Every day he went into the forest to gather bamboo stalks to sell. One evening, he saw a strange and beautiful sight. A single bamboo stalk was glowing from its base with a soft, warm light. He stopped, his own lantern seeming dim in comparison. “What is this?” he whispered to himself, taking a step closer. “I have worked in this grove my whole life and never seen such a thing.” He felt a strange pull towards the glowing plant. He knelt, took out his sharp knife, and with a sense of wonder, carefully cut the stalk down. Inside, nestled in the hollow stem, was something incredible.
Page 2
Inside the glowing stalk, the old man found a tiny baby. He and his wife had always wanted a child, so they loved her at once and named her Kaguya. From that day on, whenever the old man cut bamboo, he would often find a stalk filled with gold. “Look what I found today!” he would shout, rushing home. “More gold! The heavens have blessed us!” His wife would laugh with joy. “It is all for our little princess.” They were no longer poor, but the greatest treasure was Kaguya herself. She grew with astonishing speed; in just a few months, she was no longer a tiny baby but a graceful young girl. She brought a light into the small hut that was more precious than all the gold.
Page 3
Kaguya grew into a woman of such beauty that word of her spread through Japan. Her family, now wealthy, moved to a fine estate with a magnificent garden. It was not long before five of the highest princes in the land came to ask for her hand. “My daughter, they wait for you every day,” her mother said, concerned. “You must choose one.” But Kaguya shook her head. “I have no desire to marry, mother. My heart does not belong here.” She watched from the house as they waited in the garden, writing poems and sending gifts, each hoping to be chosen. “Then what are we to do?” her mother asked. Kaguya looked out at them, a thoughtful expression on her face. “I will think of something,” she replied.
Page 4
Kaguya agreed to meet the princes. As they knelt before her in the grand reception room, she spoke with calm authority. “I will marry the man who can prove his devotion by bringing me a legendary treasure,” she announced. One prince scoffed, “Name it, and it is yours!” Kaguya met his gaze. “For you, the stone begging bowl of the Buddha.” She then set each of the others an impossible quest: for a jeweled branch from the mythical island of Horai, a robe made from the fur of a fire-rat, a jewel from a dragon’s neck, and a shell from a swallow’s nest. “These are mere fables!” another prince protested. Kaguya simply replied, “Then perhaps your love is a fable as well.” The princes left, determined to succeed, but every one of them failed.
Page 5
The story of the princess who outwitted five princes reached the Emperor of Japan. He came to visit her and was instantly charmed. That evening, on the veranda, he made his offer. “Your beauty and wisdom are unmatched,” he said, his voice earnest. “Please, come to my palace and be my Empress.” Kaguya listened, then bowed her head deeply. “Your Majesty, I am more honored than I can say,” she said softly. “But I cannot accept. I am not meant to stay in this world, and I would only bring you sorrow.” The Emperor was wise and kind. He saw the truth in her eyes. “Then I will not press you,” he said sadly, “but allow us to be friends.” From then on, they wrote letters to each other.
Page 6
For three years, Kaguya was content. But as time passed, a deep sadness came over her. Whenever the moon was full, her parents would find her weeping. “What is it, child?” her father pleaded. “Your sadness breaks our hearts.” One night, she finally confessed her secret. “I am not of this world,” she wept, turning from the window. “I came from the Moon, and my time here is over. On the night of the next full moon, my people will come to take me back.” Her mother gasped, grabbing her hand. “No! We will not let them take you! You are our daughter!” But Kaguya shook her head, tears streaming down her face, knowing that nothing could be done.
Page 7
The bamboo cutter sent a desperate message to the Emperor, who was devastated. “I will not lose her,” the Emperor declared to his general. “Take two thousand of our finest soldiers and surround her house. Let no one from the sky pass.” The general bowed. “Your Majesty, we will hold the line or perish.” That night, the army took its positions. They stood with bows and spears ready, their faces grimly set as they stared at the sky. An officer shouted, “Archers on the roof, watch the sky! No one, nothing, gets past these walls tonight!” Inside, Kaguya waited with her parents, knowing that all the armies in the world could not stop what was coming as the full moon rose, brighter than ever before.
Page 8
As the moon reached its zenith, a cloud formed around it and drifted down, growing brighter until it shone with a light that turned night into day. From the cloud, a flying chariot emerged, carrying beings in shining robes. “What magic is this?” a soldier cried, dropping his bow. “I cannot see!” shouted another. The light was so intense it blinded them, and their strength left them. Inside the house, the old cutter held his wife. “It is happening!” she wept. Kaguya stood at the window, her face calm. “They have come for me,” she said softly. The mightiest army in Japan was helpless. Beautiful, unearthly music filled the air as the chariot descended into the courtyard.
Page 9
The beings from the Moon landed in the courtyard. Kaguya came out to meet them. She hugged her weeping parents one last time. “Do not forget us, child!” her father cried. “I will never forget you,” she promised, her own tears falling. She turned to the Emperor’s captain and gave him her last letter and a small jar. “This is the Elixir of Life, for the Emperor,” she said. Then, one of her people brought forth a beautiful robe of feathers. “Once you put this on,” the leader said gently, “all earthly sorrows will disappear.” Kaguya hesitated, taking one last, heartbreaking look at her mother and father before the robe was placed upon her shoulders.
Page 10
The Emperor read Kaguya’s last letter and his heart filled with sorrow. He looked at the Elixir of Life. “What use is living forever if I cannot see her again?” he asked his general. “Take the letter and the elixir to the highest mountain in our land.” The general bowed. “And what then, Your Majesty?” The Emperor looked towards the sky. “Build a great fire on the very summit and burn them. Let the smoke rise to the heavens.” He hoped the smoke might reach the distant Moon and let Kaguya know of his love. From that day on, the mountain has always had smoke rising from its peak, and it was named Fuji, the Mountain of Immortality.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Read Wonder Tales on your phone
Wonder Tales is available on Android. Get Wonder Tales on Google Play.