Long, long ago, there was a man named Taketori no Okina, which means “Old Bamboo Cutter.” He would cut bamboo in the mountains every day.
One day, while cutting bamboo, he found a glowing bamboo stalk. Curious, he cut the bamboo open and found a tiny girl inside. The old man was surprised but took the girl home.
The old man and his wife named the girl “Kaguya Hime” and raised her with love. Kaguya Hime grew up quickly into a beautiful woman. Her beauty soon spread throughout the village.
Many nobles and princes wanted to meet Kaguya Hime. They all proposed to her, but she turned them all down. She said she would consider marrying anyone who could complete difficult tasks she set for them.
The nobles tried their best to complete the challenges, but none of them succeeded.
One night, Kaguya Hime told the old man and his wife, “I am from the Moon. I must return there soon.” The old man and his wife were sad but could not stop her.
On the day Kaguya Hime had to return to the Moon, many celestial beings came to take her back. The old man and his wife cried as they watched her leave.
Kaguya Hime wore a beautiful robe and returned to the Moon. The old man and his wife were sad, but they cherished their memories of Kaguya Hime and lived quietly.