The Tale of The Princess Kaguya 2014

A bamboo cutter stumbles upon a small girl nestled inside a radiant bamboo shoot. Mistaking her for a celestial being, he and his wife decide to raise her as their own, affectionately calling her “Princess.” As she grows at an astonishing pace, the village children nickname her “Takenoko” (タケノコ, “Little Bamboo”). Among her friends, Sutemaru, the eldest, forms a special bond with her.

The bamboo cutter soon discovers gold and fine fabrics hidden within the bamboo grove, much like when he found the Princess. This leads him to believe in her divine lineage, prompting him to plan for her elevation to noble status. They move to the capital, where the girl must leave her friends behind and adapt to life in a lavish mansion, complemented by an array of servants. A governess is assigned to mold her into the epitome of a noblewoman. Despite her family’s wealth, the girl finds herself constrained by her new life and longs for the freedom of her countryside existence.

Once she reaches adulthood, she is officially named “Princess Kaguya” (かぐや姫, “The Shining Princess”). A festive celebration is held, during which Kaguya inadvertently overhears guests mocking her father’s attempts to elevate her status through wealth. Heartbroken, she escapes back to the mountains, searching for Sutemaru and her childhood friends—only to discover they have moved away. Overcome with sorrow, she collapses in the snow, only to awaken once again at the party.

As Princess Kaguya blossoms into a stunning beauty, men of noble birth flock to court her, each comparing her to enchanting legendary treasures. She boldly tells them that she will only accept a marriage proposal from the one who can present her with such mythical gifts. With the arrival of spring, Kaguya expresses a desire to witness the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Her mother and a handmaiden take her back to the countryside, where a magnificent tree stands near her old home. Mesmerized by the vibrant life of the blossoms, she dances joyfully among the petals until she inadvertently bumps into a child. Their family seeks her forgiveness, reminding her of her elevated status.

Upon returning to the capital, their cart gets stuck in traffic as a commotion breaks out outside. Kaguya catches sight of several men racing through the streets and recognizes Sutemaru among them as he attempts to steal a chicken. Unable to resist calling out to him, she quickly withdraws back into the carriage, realizing her current station in life. Sutemaru tries to chase after her but is soon overwhelmed by his pursuers, leaving Kaguya distraught.

Two suitors attempt deceitful means to win her over; one abandons his pursuit, while another offers a flower instead of a treasure, ultimately thwarted by his spouse. The last suitor dies in his quest to impress her, plunging Kaguya into deep despair. The Emperor of Japan, captivated by Kaguya’s beauty, attempts to abduct her but is turned away by her clever reasoning.

In a moment of vulnerability, Kaguya confides in her parents about her origins from the Moon. She reveals that she was exiled to Earth after breaking Moon laws, wishing to experience life as a human. As the Emperor continues his pursuit, she silently pleads with the Moon for assistance, which grants her a restored memory and promises to reclaim her when the next full moon arrives. Torn between her attachment to Earth and the inevitable call of the Moon, Kaguya yearns to stay; her father, the bamboo cutter, vows to protect her and fortify their mansion.

Kaguya returns to her village to reunite with Sutemaru. They declare their love for each other, and in a moment of bliss, they soar above the countryside, only to be pulled back by the Moon’s gravitational force. Sutemaru awakens alone, reuniting with his wife and child, left wondering if it was all just a dream.

On the fateful night of the full moon, celestial figures led by the Buddha descend to reclaim Kaguya. Despite their efforts, the bamboo cutter and his wife cannot stop the heavenly procession. An attendant presents Kaguya with the robe that will erase her memories of Earth. With tears streaming down her face, she clings to her family one last time before the garment envelops her. As they depart, the heartbroken bamboo cutter and his wife are left in despair, while Kaguya casts one last glance back at Earth, her eyes brimming with sorrow.