As the title suggests, let’s discuss Japan’s outstanding Legalist works, which, although very famous, have been continuously distorted over the years by various bourgeois historians, writers, and artists.
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Examining ancient stories involving love and marriage from the exploitative classes of the past, we can see a common phenomenon: stories related to the exploitative classes all promote the idea that women can only find happiness by relying on men, and that only by finding a “good man” can they be happy. However, they never consider that women can also struggle and rely on their own efforts to achieve happiness. Therefore, many so-called “fairy tales,” “stories,” or “legends” ultimately depict women as talented as they are, but the ending always depends on men to succeed, with women becoming accessories to men in exchange for a so-called “happy ending.” This is the reality of a society with private property, but it does not align with the wishes of oppressed women. As a result, Japan has a very peculiar story called “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.” Although “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” begins with a clichéd story, saying that a woman named Kaguya-hime came from the heavens, with many magical elements, she is very beautiful, attracting many men who secretly watch her, including five powerful landowners (Prince Ishidake, Prince Kurumochi, Lord Abe, Dainagon Ootomo no Yakamochi, and Chuunagon Ishigami Maro) who come to propose marriage. However, the subsequent plot deviates from the typical fairy-tale of a woman marrying a white horse prince. When the five landowners propose to Kaguya-hime, the story directly states that she actually does not want to marry these men, feeling that they do not love her (Kaguya-hime’s most straightforward words are: “Alas, these people are so vulgar. They do not understand each other’s spirits, and rashly betroth themselves. If he later changes his mind, it will be a regret for all. No matter how high their status or how handsome they are, I refuse to marry someone I do not understand.”). So, she tests them by giving them five impossible challenges, and ultimately rejects all five men by making it impossible for them to pass the tests. Even after they are rejected, the emperor learns of Kaguya-hime’s beauty and attempts to forcibly marry her, but also fails. In the end, she accepts reality (though she still longs for it). The story concludes with Kaguya-hime revealing she is a woman from the heavens, not meant to stay on earth, and then flying back to the celestial realm. Although there is still controversy about the author, this story undoubtedly comes from the lower-middle landowning class, using Kaguya-hime’s rejection of suitors to expose the shamelessness, treachery, stupidity, arrogance, impulsiveness, and tyranny of the feudal landowning class (the five suitors and the emperor represent different classes and aspects of Japan’s landowning aristocracy at the time). It also reflects women’s desire for independence and refusal to depend on men. Of course, this desire is ultimately also a feature of the landowning class. Kaguya-hime’s image can only be that of a landowning woman, able to interact with the great landowners, rather than being forcibly taken and violated by them. Moreover, because the author cannot offer a realistic path to women’s liberation, he resorts to mysticism, transforming Kaguya-hime into a goddess to justify her rejection of suitors, and uses her ascension as an escape from the reality that women in feudal society must depend on men. This can be seen as a negative aspect of the story. Some say the prototype of this story is the Tibetan story “The Bamboo Girl” (this claim is probably false, as “The Bamboo Girl” does not resemble Tibetan style at all, but rather seems to be a story created by outsiders based on their subjective imagination of Tibetan culture, and is actually modeled on “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter”), but “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” clearly does not simply repeat this story. It not only has Japanese national characteristics but also expresses resentment against the dark societal reality of the feudal landlord class and the ruling class, as well as some progressive tendencies sympathetic to women’s tragic experiences in feudal society. Therefore, the author did not allow Kaguya-hime to marry anyone, as none of these men are worthy of her, and instead let her ascend directly to the heavens. Setting Kaguya-hime as a goddess serves both to complete the plot and to show that although she is the daughter of the bamboo cutter, she is much more noble than the powerful landowners of the human world, and truly deserving of respect. Furthermore, this excellent story was ultimately buried, as later exploitative classes never truly interpreted it correctly. They all explained it in mystical or palace intrigue terms, even obsessing over the author’s background or the story’s prototype, and forcibly applying various vulgar political views. It can only be said that “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” shares some similarities with “Dream of the Red Chamber,” mainly discussing class contradictions in feudal society, Confucian-Legal struggles, and views on love, though its content is not as rich as the latter.
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What is being said here is that the story has been distorted in later generations, which makes me think of how the bourgeoisie now further distorts it with even more immoral interpretations. There is a certain anime, quite popular, called “Kaguya-sama: Love is War” (probably this, not very sure). It doesn’t even need further explanation; the title already reveals its inversion of black and white and its vulgarity. The content of this anime roughly suggests that in a romantic relationship, the one who confesses first will be at a disadvantage, so both the male and female leads are selfishly scheming against each other, trying to get the other to confess first. This reflects the logic of capitalist commodity exchange, where the seller can wait for a better price and set conditions for the buyer. There are also many scenes of female competition. Because it is so vulgar, I couldn’t stand to watch it at the time; the plot was roughly that the female lead wanted to go to the seaside, wear a swimsuit to seduce the male lead, then she discovered that the second female character had larger breasts, and she mentally viciously attacked her for having big breasts and a big brain, wanting to kill her. I forget the reason in the end, but they didn’t go to the seaside anymore, and the female lead then thought of the second female as a good friend. This kind of thing is revered as a model in the anime world and is called pure love. It shows that the so-called pure love of the bourgeoisie is essentially pure selfish exchange and sexual relations.
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I can see a little from the first five stories, but after the emperor’s appearance, it all falls apart. Kaguya-hime regrets not developing a romantic relationship with the emperor, and in the end, she even leaves him the elixir of immortality, turning into something like “You were born after me, I was born when you were already old.” And in the end, she becomes obsessed with filial piety but fails—ugh, ugh, ugh.
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Tibetan folk story “Bamboo Girl”… and its relation to “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter”_Li Lianrong.pdf (329.7 KB)
Supporting document above
Saying that “Bamboo Lady” originates from “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” is indeed the most credible, and this story is far inferior to “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter”. It lacks the richness of meaning found in “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” and has become a vulgar story of love and rejection, ending with a forced “marriage” and a happy ending.
Additionally, I previously came across an article that investigates the historical figures corresponding to the author of “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” and each character in the story. After reading it, I found some validity in the arguments. I will also share this article. If everyone reads this article and finds it convincing, they should be able to gain a deeper understanding of the historical background of “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” and the Legalist ideas within it.
Additionally, it should be noted that “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” has a serious flaw, which is that it overly romanticizes the emperor. In the story, the emperor is clearly depicted as being very despicable—a so-called “deeply passionate scumbag”—but the story deliberately portrays him as a kind and passionate person who simply fell in love with someone he shouldn’t have. This indicates that the author’s anti-Confucian and anti-imperial sentiments are not thorough; they are still heavily influenced by Confucian loyalist ideas and dare not fully reveal the true nature of the emperor. On one hand, it exposes the emperor’s tyranny as the representative of the landlord class through his forced marriages—such as coercing Kaguya-hime’s parents with threats and inducements, even threatening to unjustly punish her, planning to arrange accidental encounters with her, and attempting to forcibly molest her. It also describes how he sent soldiers to fight the celestial beings to keep Kaguya-hime on earth. On the other hand, it claims that although the emperor is so rebellious against heaven, he is still a good person; he just “loves” Kaguya-hime too much. This results in the parts that romanticize the emperor being very conspicuous and somewhat hypocritical.
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Additionally, here is the original text of “The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter” for your analysis and reading:
The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
Author: Unknown
1. Princess Kaguya in the Young Bamboo
Once upon a time, there was a bamboo cutter named Saki Zōmara who often went into the mountains to cut bamboo, making various bamboo utensils to sell and earn a living. One day, he saw a bamboo shoot shining brilliantly in a bamboo grove. Curious, he approached and saw a glowing bamboo tube emitting light. Upon closer inspection, he found a tiny beautiful woman, about three inches tall, residing inside. The old man said: “Since you live in the bamboo I see day and night, you must be a child bestowed upon me by heaven.” He then took her in his palm, returned home, and handed her over to his wife to raise. This girl was stunningly beautiful, with an unparalleled appearance, petite and delicate, and the elderly couple raised her in a bamboo basket.
The old man entrusted the girl to the grandmother of the family. She grew very lovely and tiny, kept in a basket. After raising her, the old man found gold inside the bamboo segments every time he went to cut bamboo, and over time, he became a wealthy man.
The old woman carefully nurtured the girl from the bamboo, and she grew day by day, becoming a young maiden after three months. The grandmother styled her hair and dressed her in fine clothes, keeping her in seclusion and forbidding her to step outside. Her beauty was so radiant that the entire house was filled with light, without a single dark corner. Sometimes, when the old man was depressed or troubled, seeing her would instantly lift his spirits; other times, when he was angry or upset, seeing her would calm his temper.
From then on, the old man continued to cut bamboo daily, and his wealth grew. When the girl grew older, the old man invited the priest Akita from the third room to name her. He named her “Kaguya-hime of the Young Bamboo,” also written as “Kaku-ei.” To celebrate her naming, the old man held a grand feast with many performers singing and dancing. People from nearby households, both men and women, were invited, and the celebration lasted three days.
2. The Difficulties of Courtship
Men in the world, regardless of their status, all hoped to marry Kaguya-hime after hearing her name. They were enchanted just by her fame, eager to see her face even once. Even those living near her house or close neighbors could not glimpse her face. These men could not sleep at night, secretly digging holes in the walls to peek at her, seeking solace. This behavior later became known as “night peeping”[1], originating from this story.
At night, the men wandered around the house, but with no results. They mostly greeted her family but were ignored. Despite repeated failures, they remained hopeful, especially the young noblemen who stayed up all night, watching. Some, with weak resolve, gave up after realizing it was futile. However, five particularly lecherous men persisted: Prince Ishizaku, Prince Kurumatsu, the Minister Abei, the Great Counselor Ohtomo, and the Middle Counselor Ishigami.
These vain men, upon hearing about a beautiful woman somewhere, would immediately want to see her, even if only slightly attractive. Her fame spread far and wide, making them frantic and neglecting food and sleep. They lingered around her house, some sending letters via carrier pigeons, which never arrived; some fell ill from longing, composing love songs; others, despite knowing their efforts were futile, continued their visits through all seasons—cold winter, hot summer, or thunderstorms.
One day, one of them finally begged the old man: “Please marry your daughter to me!” The old man replied, “She is not my biological daughter, so I cannot decide her marriage for her.”
Time passed quickly.
The five men, unable to forget her, resorted to praying to gods and Buddhas, hoping for divine help to fulfill their wishes or to forget their longing. All efforts were in vain. They then thought: “Although the old man said so, women will eventually marry. We must persist.” So they continued to wander around her house, showing their sincerity.
Seeing this, the old man said to Kaguya-hime: “My noble daughter, you are a reincarnation of a deity, not my biological child. But I have raised you with great effort. Could you, for this small favor, listen to me?”
Kaguya-hime replied: “Whatever you say, I am willing to listen. But I do not know if I am truly a reincarnation of a deity. Even if it is true, I will still regard you as my biological father.”
The old man said: “That makes me very happy. I am over seventy years old, and my life may end at any moment. It is natural for men to marry and women to marry. Only through marriage can descendants be born and the family flourish. Even you cannot go against this.”
Kaguya-hime said: “Although that is true, I really do not want to!”
The old man said: “Even if you are a reincarnation of a deity, you are still a daughter. I am still alive now, and you can remain in your maidenhood. But if I die, what will you do? Those five men have loved you deeply and are very determined. Can you choose one of them to marry?”
Kaguya-hime replied: “Those men are all vulgar! If I marry without understanding their hearts, and if they harbor ulterior motives, it would be disastrous. So, no matter how noble they are, even if they are the most feared men in the world, I will not marry anyone who does not understand their true feelings.”
The old man nodded: “That makes sense. So, who among them do you wish to marry? They are all sincerely proposing to you!”
Kaguya-hime said: “I do not demand much about their qualities, only one small request: let them bring me my favorite item. The one who brings it first will be the most sincere, and I will marry him. Please tell them this.”
The old man praised: “That is a wonderful idea.”
At sunset, the five men gathered. Some played flutes, some sang, some recited poetry, some played the shō, and some clapped fans. The old man then came out and said: “Gentlemen, your persistent visits have truly made this place shine. I am over seventy, and my days are numbered. I urge my daughter to think carefully and choose one of you to marry. She says she loves you all deeply and finds it hard to distinguish who is better. I think she is right. So, she wants you to bring her her favorite item to prove your sincerity. Whoever succeeds, she will marry. Please do not be angry.”
The five men, hearing this, unanimously agreed: “This method is feasible.” The old man then told Kaguya-hime.
Kaguya-hime said: “Please tell Prince Ishizaku that the Buddha’s stone bowl from Tenzhu Kingdom is to be brought to me; tell Prince Kurumatsu that the sacred mountain Penglai in the East Sea has a treasure tree with white silver roots, gold stems, and white jade fruits, and ask him to bring me a branch. Also, tell Minister Abei to bring me the fire rat fur from Tang land; tell Ohtomo, the Great Counselor, to bring the five-colored shining jade from the dragon’s head; and tell Ishigami, the Middle Counselor, to bring the Anchu shell from Yan.”
The old man, upon hearing this, looked troubled and said: “These are clearly difficult requests. The items you desire are not from our country. How can I convey such difficult tasks to them?”
Kaguya-hime said: “That is no problem. Just speak openly.”
The old man said: “Then I will go and tell them.” He left the house and honestly relayed her words, then said: “This is the situation. Please go and fetch those items as instructed.”
The five princes, upon hearing this, were stunned and looked at each other, sighing: “Such a difficult task, it might be better to just say ‘please leave here’ directly!” They then left dejectedly.
3. The Buddha's Stone Bowl
[2]
Nevertheless, after returning home, each of the five pondered: “If I cannot marry Kaguya-hime, living in this world is meaningless.” Prince Ishizaku, the most cunning, kept thinking: “Since the stone bowl is in Tenzhu, I should be able to find it.” But then he thought: “Tenzhu is very far away, and the stone bowl is a unique object there. Even if I travel thousands of miles, I might not be able to get it!”One day, Prince Ishizaku told Kaguya-hime: “Today, I will set out for Tenzhu to fetch the stone bowl.” And he departed.
Three years later, Prince Ishizaku arrived at a mountain temple in Tōichi District, Yamato Province, and took the blackened stone bowl that had been soot-stained from the smoke of the incense, packed it in a silk bag, decorated it with a handmade flower, and delivered it to Kaguya-hime’s house.
Kaguya-hime saw it, felt suspicious, and reached into the bowl to take out a paper. She unfolded it and saw a poem:
“Crossing ten thousand waters and climbing a thousand mountains,
exhausted, I fetch the stone bowl,
now tears flow freely.”Seeing that the stone bowl was not shining or even emitting a faint glow, she composed a reply:
“If it is a true treasure, should it not shine? Even a tiny glow is absent. Could it be from Mount Kokura?”[3]
She returned the bowl to Prince Ishizaku. The prince discarded the bowl at the door and composed a poem:
“The bowl was originally like Mount Haku,
shining with white light, but now it has lost its glow.
I abandon the bowl, but not you.”He sent this poem to Kaguya-hime, but she did not reply or pay attention to him. Prince Ishizaku could only leave sadly. Although he abandoned the bowl, his love remained burning, hoping for a chance to woo her again. Thus, later generations called this shameless act “abandoning the bowl”[4].
4. The Jade Branch of Penglai
Prince Kurumatsu was cunning. He pretended to be ill and claimed he needed to go to the hot springs of Tsukushi Province[5] for treatment. After getting leave, he immediately went to Kaguya-hime’s house and sent a servant to say: “I am setting out to fetch the Jade Branch.” Then he set off for Tsukushi. His attendants gathered at Namba Port to see him off. The prince told them: “This trip is very secret, do not leak it.” He took only a few trusted attendants and set sail. The senders watched the ship sail away, then returned to Kyoto.
Everyone thought the prince had gone to Tsukushi. But after three days, his ship secretly returned to Namba Port.
He had carefully arranged everything in advance. As soon as he landed, he summoned six master craftsmen and found a remote place to build a three-story mansion, where he hid himself. He also donated all his sixteen estates to gods and Buddhas, praying for divine help to make the Jade Branch. After much effort, the Jade Branch was finally made, exactly matching what Kaguya-hime described, without a single flaw. The prince then secretly returned to Namba Port with the jade branch.
He pretended to be exhausted from a long journey, sat in his boat, and sent a message: “The prince has returned today.” The household came out to greet him. The prince placed the Jade Branch in a long chest, covered it with fine silk, and ordered it to be carried ashore. The crowd was excited, whispering: “Prince Kurumatsu has returned with the Udaya flower.”
Kaguya-hime, upon hearing this, was worried, thinking she had lost to Prince Kurumatsu. She was both anxious and distressed. After a while, a servant knocked and said: “Prince Kurumatsu wishes to see you. He is still dressed in his sailing clothes.”
The old man went out to meet him. Prince Kurumatsu said: “This Jade Branch was obtained through my life and death efforts. Please take it and show it to Kaguya-hime!”
The old man took the Jade Branch inside. Kaguya-hime received it and saw a poem attached:
“After traveling ten thousand miles,
I am unafraid of death,
Swearing to present the Jade Branch to my beloved.”She was stunned and at a loss. The old man said: “Look, this prince has brought back the Penglai Jade Branch exactly as you requested. You cannot refuse now. He is still wearing his sailing clothes and came directly to visit you without returning home. You should go out and meet him to finalize the marriage!”
Kaguya-hime, silent, rested her chin on her hand and sighed deeply, contemplating her response.
The prince was delighted, thinking: “Now Kaguya-hime has no excuse to refuse.” He strode confidently into the corridor. The old man did not stop him but tacitly approved of his rude behavior. He told Kaguya-hime: “This Jade Branch is unprecedented in our country. Now you can no longer refuse. Just accept it. Moreover, this prince’s appearance and character are excellent.”
Kaguya-hime replied: “I have always disobeyed my father’s words, and I feel guilty. I intended to make it difficult for the prince with a hard-to-get item, but he actually brought it. What should I do now?”
The old man ignored her and went into her private chamber to prepare the wedding room.
He then came to see the prince again and asked: “This treasure tree is precious and beautiful. Where exactly did it grow?”
The prince replied: "Around February 10th, two years ago, I set out from Namba Port and sailed into the sea. I had no idea which direction to go when I set sail. I thought: ‘If I cannot succeed in this trip, what is the point of living?’ So I let the ship drift with the wind, hoping to find the fairy mountain Penglai. The ship was tossed by waves for many days, finally leaving our country and heading into the ocean. Sometimes, the waves were so fierce they almost capsized the ship; sometimes, a strong wind blew us to unknown foreign lands, with ghosts and monsters appearing, nearly killing us; sometimes, we lost our way in the vast sea, helpless; sometimes, we ran out of food and had to eat grass roots; sometimes, terrifying demons appeared, threatening to swallow us; sometimes, we had to eat sea shells to survive; sometimes, we fell ill during the journey, completely helpless, leaving everything to fate. We drifted at sea for over five hundred days, until one morning around the hour of Chen[6], when suddenly, I saw a mountain where the sky and sea seemed to meet. I quickly stood up and looked far from the ship, seeing a mountain floating on the sea, majestic and towering. I thought: ‘This must be the dreamlike Penglai.’ I was overjoyed but also a little scared, so I circled the mountain for a few days, observing it. One day, a beautiful fairy dressed as a celestial maiden came down the mountain with a silver bowl to fetch water. We disembarked and asked her: ‘What is the name of this mountain?’ She replied: ‘This is Penglai Mountain.’ I then asked: ‘What is your name?’ She answered: ‘My name is Baoqian Liuli.’ After speaking, she vanished into the mountain. I carefully observed Penglai Mountain, with its layered peaks and dangerous terrain, difficult to climb. Along the way, I saw countless rare flowers and trees, all extraordinary. Water from the mountain stream flowed with a golden and silver hue. Several exquisite jade bridges spanned the small rivers, and the surrounding trees shimmered with gold. I plucked a branch from one of these trees, which was not particularly striking but matched what Kaguya-hime described, so I took it back. The scenery of Penglai is truly unparalleled. I initially planned to stay a few more days to enjoy the view, but after obtaining the jade branch, I had no desire to linger and hurriedly returned. Fortunately, the return journey was smooth, taking only about four hundred days, and I arrived back home. This was probably my wish before departure, and I was blessed by divine protection. Yesterday, I returned to Namba Port and came straight here without even changing my wet clothes.’
The old man listened to the prince’s story, deeply moved, and composed a poem:
“Every time I go into the mountains to cut Wu bamboo,
such hardship I have never experienced before.”The prince, hearing this, said: “My worries over the years have finally eased today.” He then composed a reply:
“Years of bitter love, now tears are dry,
success at last, my heart is at peace.”Prince Kurumatsu’s scheme was about to succeed when suddenly, six men, shoulder to shoulder, entered Kaguya-hime’s courtyard. One held a wooden stick with a banner hanging from it, bearing a petition: “The craftsmen of the Creator’s Head Han Department, Moromaro, hereby petition: We have dedicated ourselves to making the Jade Branch, working tirelessly for over a thousand days, exhausted, yet we have not received a single coin. We hope for immediate payment to support our families.”
The old man was shocked, turned quickly, and asked: “Is what this craftsman said true?” The prince was flustered and speechless. At this moment, Kaguya-hime said: “Please hand me the petition.” She took the document and read: “The noble prince, with his esteemed body, and we, humble craftsmen, have hidden together, working for over a thousand days to make the Jade Branch. At that time, a promise was made: upon success, we would be rewarded with gold and titles. We believe this is what Kaguya-hime needs, so we came here to seek reward. We hope you will grant it.”
Kaguya-hime, who was worried about marrying the prince, suddenly smiled and called her old guardian inside, saying: “This Penglai Jade Branch, I thought it was real, but now I see it is a big lie, just what I wanted. Please return it quickly and tell the prince to leave!”
The old man nodded: “Since we now know it is a fake, it should be returned immediately, and he should leave.”
Kaguya-hime felt relieved and happy, then composed a reply:
“Deceptive words and false appearances,
The fake Jade Branch is shameless.”After writing, she returned the poem and the fake jade branch to Prince Kurumatsu. The old man, who had been chatting happily with the prince, now looked dejected and pretended to rest. The prince was embarrassed, restless, and hesitant to leave or stay. He could only endure until sunset before quietly leaving Kaguya-hime’s house.
Kaguya-hime summoned the six craftsmen who had petitioned earlier, thanked them sincerely, and rewarded them generously. The craftsmen happily returned home, but halfway there, they were stopped and beaten by the prince’s men, losing all their money and being scattered in dismay.
Prince Chuchihang saw that the situation was beyond redemption and sighed: “The greatest shame in life is this. Not only will I fail to win the favor of a beauty, but I will also be laughed at by the world.” Therefore, he fled alone into the deep mountains and secluded himself to avoid the world. His subordinates, along with servants, searched everywhere but could not find the prince’s trace; he was probably already dead.
> Judging by the prince’s thoughts, he must have felt deeply ashamed to see friends and subordinates again, so he changed his name and hid from the world. From then on, people called the lost soul “Lost Jade”[7].
Five, The Fire Mouse Fur
The right minister Abe Onomichi, wealthy and prosperous in his family and clan. He wrote a letter to his friend Wang Qing, who came from Tang country on a trading ship, asking Wang Qing to help buy a fire mouse fur. He handed the letter to the shrewd and capable servant Ono Fusamori to deliver to Wang Qing. Ono Fusamori hurried to Hakata port, boarded the trading ship docked there, and presented the letter and money for the fur. After reading the letter, Wang Qing replied:
> “The fire mouse fur is not a product of our country; I have only heard of its name and have never seen it with my own eyes. If such an object truly exists, it must have already arrived in your country by ship. Currently, it is unavailable, so I understand that your request is extremely difficult. However, there may be such a thing in India, and if it is brought from India, I will inquire among the wealthy to borrow their help to obtain it. If the object does not exist in the world, then the money paid today should be fully returned. This is my reply.”
Several months later, the Tang trade ship arrived in Japan again. When Abe Onomichi heard that Ono Fusamori returned with the ship, he hurriedly ordered his servants to ride fast horses to welcome him. Ono Fusamori rode a fast horse, and in just seven days, he arrived from Chikuzen to the capital, bringing back a letter for the right minister. The letter read:
> “The fire mouse fur has not been found despite extensive search. Inquiry revealed that this fur, whether ancient or modern, is extremely rare. It is said that in the past, a holy monk from India brought it to our country and kept it in the West Mountain Temple. I request the court to issue an order to purchase it. However, at the time of payment, local officials claimed insufficient funds, but I immediately paid the extra. I paid fifty taels of gold and hope to get it back immediately. My ship is about to return. If you do not wish to pay, please return this fur promptly.”
After reading the letter, Abe Onomichi smiled happily and said: “Why such words? The money is insignificant; I will certainly return it. To obtain this treasure fur is indeed a great joy!” He then bowed in gratitude towards Tang country.
He carefully examined the box containing the fire mouse fur, which was inlaid with many beautiful glazed tiles. Upon opening the box, he saw the fur was indigo blue, with tips emitting golden light, magnificent and dazzling, unparalleled. It is said that if this fur gets dirty, it can be burned in fire, and not only will it not be damaged, but it will become cleaner. Such a rare treasure naturally causes admiration! Abe Onomichi looked at the fire mouse fur and praised: “No wonder Princess Kaguya wants to get this fur; it is indeed reasonable! What a creation!” He then stored the fur in the box, decorated it with floral branches, and dressed himself carefully, thinking proudly: “Tonight I can stay in the beautiful lady’s fragrant chamber.” Overjoyed, he composed a song and placed it in the box. The song goes:
> “Passion burns like fire, yet hard to ignite this fur; Tears soak sleeves for years, but today they can finally dry.”
Abe Onomichi personally brought the fire mouse fur to Princess Kaguya’s house. An old man came out to receive it, took the fur, and presented it to Princess Kaguya for viewing. Upon seeing it, she exclaimed: “This fire mouse fur is truly beautiful! But currently, its authenticity cannot be distinguished, so do not trust it lightly.” The old man said: “How could there be a fake? Anyway, we should first invite the right minister into the house. This fur is rare in the world; it must be genuine. Why doubt others so blindly? It is truly inappropriate.” Saying this, he turned and invited Abe Onomichi into the room.
The old couple, the old man and wife, shared the same thought, believing this marriage could definitely succeed. The old man often worried because Princess Kaguya refused to marry and lived in seclusion. He hoped his daughter could marry a good man, with harmony and happiness. However, Princess Kaguya repeatedly refused marriage, and the old man could not force her.
Princess Kaguya said to the old man: “To know the truth, you can burn this fur. If it does not burn in the fire, then it is genuine, and I will naturally keep my promise to marry him. Since you say this fur is rare in the world and must be genuine, then burn it and examine it.”
The old man nodded and said: “That makes sense.” He then conveyed Princess Kaguya’s words to the right minister.
The right minister said: “This fur is also not in Tang territory; I only found it after much effort. How could it be suspicious? Very well, since there are doubts, then burn it quickly to prove it is not false.”
He then threw the fire mouse fur into the fire, which immediately crackled and burned away in an instant, turning to ashes and smoke. Princess Kaguya said: “From this, it is certain that this fur is not made from fire mouse skin.” The right minister, seeing this, turned pale as grass. Princess Kaguya was very happy and composed a return song, placing the fur in the box and handing it to Abe Onomichi. The return song goes:
> “Fake fur is hard to burn, turning to ash in an instant. Had I known it was common stuff, why bother with so much trouble?”
The right minister remained silent and left in displeasure. The onlookers whispered: “Since Minister Abe brought the fire mouse fur, he must be able to marry Princess Kaguya and stay in this residence forever, right?” Someone replied: “No, no, it is said that once the fire mouse fur is burned in fire, it turns to ashes immediately, so Minister Abe cannot marry Princess Kaguya.” This story spread widely, and from then on, whenever someone could not achieve their wishes, they would call it “Abe’s failure.”
Six, The Brilliant Jade of the Dragon’s Head
Ootomo no Okina, the great minister, summoned all his servants and ordered: “It is said that on the dragon’s head there is a piece of brilliant jade emitting five-colored radiance. Whoever can bring it, no matter what reward, will be granted it.”
The servants listened and said: “Master, such generosity is indeed our fortune. But this jade, we think, is not easy to obtain. It is on the dragon’s head, how can we get it?”
The great minister said: “As servants, we should be loyal and repay our master. Even if it costs our lives, we must fulfill his wish. Moreover, dragons are not only found in India and Tang lands; it is said that in our country’s mountains and seas, dragons often fly and descend. How difficult can it be?”
The servants replied: “Since the master says so, there is no other way. No matter how difficult the treasure is to obtain, we will go through fire and water to get it.”
The great minister said happily: “You are truly loyal subjects of my Otomo family, brave and famous. You will not disobey my orders!”
The servants went out to find the brilliant jade of the dragon’s head. The great minister distributed all his silk, cotton, and money to them as travel expenses. He also warned: “While you are away, I will be fasting and praying. If you do not return with the jade, you are not allowed to come back.”
After the servants left, they all felt resentful and thought: “No matter what, we cannot get the dragon’s head jade; it’s impossible. We have no choice but to give up.” They divided the rewards given by the great minister and scattered. Some hid at home; others fled elsewhere. They cursed their master behind his back, saying: “Whether parents or master, giving such absurd orders is truly unreasonable! We can’t succeed!”
The great minister did not know their complaints and said to himself: “If Princess Kaguya marries, how can she live in such a humble house?” So he built a magnificent new house, decorated with colorful silk, painted walls with five colors, embedded with flowers, and covered the roof with multicolored silk threads. Each room had murals painted on fine silk. Moreover, he dismissed his wife and concubines, and lived alone, working day and night to marry Princess Kaguya.
However, day after day, the servants sent to find the dragon’s head jade never returned. The year passed, and another year went by. The great minister waited anxiously, secretly took two attendants, and disguised himself to Namba port, asking a boatman: “It is said that Otomo no Okina sent servants to sail to slay dragons to obtain the dragon’s head jade. Have you heard of this?” The boatman laughed: “That’s a joke. Which boatman would risk sailing out for such a foolish task? Not one!”
Hearing this, the great minister thought: “These boatmen are ignorant and cowardly, they have no ambition. They don’t know the power of my Otomo family. That’s why they speak such timid words.” He also thought: “My bow is powerful; once I see a dragon, I can shoot and kill it with one arrow, and obtaining the dragon’s head jade is as easy as flipping my hand. Those servants are late to return, I need not wait long.” So he hired a boat, set sail, and cruised on the sea, drifting further and further, arriving at Chikuzen coast.
At this moment, suddenly the sky darkened, a storm arose, and the ship was torn by the wind, with sails tilting and oars skewed, losing direction and not knowing where to go. Later, the ship was caught in a hurricane in the middle of the ocean, with towering waves crashing against the hull, almost sinking. Lightning flashed in the sky, thunder roared, frightening the great minister, who was trembling and helpless, sighing: “I have never seen such a terrifying scene in my life. What should I do?”
The boatman was also frightened, tears streaming down, and said: “I have been sailing the seas every year, but I have never seen such a frightening sight. Even if this ship somehow avoids sinking, lightning will strike us down. Even if gods and Buddhas protect us, the ship and people will eventually be blown to the southern sea. Alas, it’s all because of such a master that we are in this miserable situation.” He then cried loudly.
The great minister heard and said: “On the ship, everything depends on the boatman’s words. How can you say such despairing words?” He then vomited a lot of sour water.
The boatman said: “I am not a god or Buddha; I have no great skills. Naturally, I am helpless. The stormy wind and waves are common; I have been used to them for many years. But now, with lightning and thunder, it must be because you are recklessly trying to slay the dragon and angered the dragon god, which has caused this storm. You should pray quickly and ask the gods for forgiveness!” The great minister realized: “This makes sense.” He immediately prayed loudly: “Please listen to the divine god above, I, the foolish and ignorant, reckless in my actions, attempting to slay the dragon, which is a great sin! From now on, I dare not harm a single hair of the dragon. Please forgive me, I am full of remorse and fear.”
He cried tears, stood and sat repeatedly, reciting prayers, and after many repetitions, the thunder gradually ceased, and the sky gradually brightened, but the strong wind still blew fiercely.
The boatman said: “The storm just now was definitely caused by the dragon god. Now the wind is favorable, not contrary; the direction is just right. Let’s go home along this wind.” The great minister, already frightened to the core, could not hear what the boatman said.
The strong wind continued to blow for three or four days, blowing the ship back to his country. Looking towards the shore, it was the Akashi coast of Harima. But the great minister thought he had been blown to the southern coast of the sea. He was exhausted, lying in the ship. The two attendants accompanying him went ashore and reported to the local officials. The officials came to comfort him, but the great minister was too weak to get up and was slumped at the bottom of the ship. Everyone had no choice but to lay a mat on the pine ground on the shore and help him lie down. Only then did the great minister realize that he was not on the southern coast of the sea. He struggled to sit up, but because of his weak constitution and inability to withstand cold, his belly swelled and his eyes were swollen like plums. The official saw this and could not help but smile. The great minister immediately ordered the official to prepare a palanquin, and he was carried back to his residence.
He had previously sent his servants to fetch the dragon’s head jade. Hearing about this, they all returned home to confess and apologize: “We could not obtain the dragon’s head jade, so we have no face to return to the residence. Now the master himself also knows that the treasure is hard to get, so he will probably forgive us. We are returning to the residence to see him.”
The great minister stood and said to his servants: “Fortunately, you did not go to fetch the dragon’s head jade. The dragon and the thunder god are companions. Sending you to fetch the dragon’s head jade is the same as harming you. If you truly capture a divine dragon, I might not even be safe. Now, it is truly fortunate, truly fortunate! Hmm, this is probably Princess Kaguya’s evil scheme to harm us. From now on, I will never go to her house again, and you should be cautious not to go either.” After speaking, he distributed the remaining property of the house to the servants who did not obtain the dragon’s head jade.
His former wives and concubines, upon hearing this, could not stop mocking and almost burst into laughter. The colorful silk on the roof of the new house was torn away by eagles and crows and used for nesting.
People discussed this matter widely: one asked, “I heard that Otomo no Okina sent servants to fetch the dragon’s head jade; what was the result?” Another replied: “Forget it, not only did they fail to get the treasure jade, but their eyes are swollen like two plums. Sigh, it’s unbearable!” From then on, any unreasonable or intolerable thing was called “Impossible to get the jade.”
Seven, The Peaceful Shell of the Swallow
Chūnagon Ishinami Maro ordered his servants: “When the swallow builds a nest, report immediately.” The servants asked: “What does the master intend to do?” Chūnagon replied: “I want to obtain the swallow’s peace-producing shell.” One servant said: “We have seen people kill swallows many times, but have never seen a swallow’s belly contain this treasure. It is said that the swallow only produces this when laying eggs. But when it sees people approaching, it will fly away. How can we obtain it?” Another servant said: “There are many swallow nests on the beams of the rice cooking house. We can order some agile men to build a scaffold, climb up and peek into the nests. If they see eggs, they can obtain the peace-producing shell.” Chūnagon was very pleased and said: “This method is excellent; I had not thought of it before. Let’s do as you say.” So he selected twenty loyal and strong servants, built a scaffold on the beams of the rice cooking house, and ordered them to watch.
Chūnagon often sent people to ask: “How is it? Have you obtained the peace-producing shell?” But the swallow flock saw the crowd climbing up and was very frightened, so they dared not fly back to the nests. The servants reported this to Chūnagon, who was worried and helpless.
Just as Chūnagon was at a loss, the rice cooking house official Kuratsumaro said to the servants: “Your lord wants to obtain the swallow’s peace-producing shell; I have a plan.” The servants hurried to report to Chūnagon, who immediately summoned Kuratsumaro, treated him courteously, and asked him for advice. Kuratsumaro said: “To obtain the swallow’s peace-producing shell, this method is completely useless and will surely fail. Because the number of people is large and the swallow flock is frightened, they dare not fly back to the nests. First, dismantle the scaffold and let all the strong men come down. Then, select a capable servant, have him sit in a large bamboo basket, tie a sliding cord to the top of the basket and fasten it to the beams. When the swallow lays eggs, immediately pull the cord to lift the bamboo basket. At the critical moment, let the servant reach in and take the shell. This way, success is guaranteed.” Chūnagon praised: “This plan is brilliant.” He then ordered the scaffold to be dismantled and the twenty servants to be recalled.
After these tasks, Chūnagon asked Kuratsumaro: “When do the swallows lay eggs, and how do we know? When the time comes, we will send someone up.” Kuratsumaro replied: “When the swallow is about to lay eggs, it will raise its tail seven times; after that, it will lay eggs. When we see it raise its tail for the seventh time, we can send someone up in the bamboo basket to get the peace-producing shell.”
Hearing this, Chūnagon was very happy and ordered people to do as instructed. Then he quietly entered the rice cooking house, supervised the servants to obtain the shell, and also rewarded Kuratsumaro generously, praising: “Though you are not my kin, you can satisfy me, very good.” Afterward, he took off his clothes and gave them to Kuratsumaro, also inviting him to come and help in the rice cooking house tonight. Then he dismissed Kuratsumaro.
As dusk approached, Chūnagon returned to the rice cooking house. Looking up, he saw the swallows had indeed returned to the nests, and as Kuratsumaro said, their tails began to lift. Chūnagon hurriedly ordered the servants to sit in the large bamboo basket, lift it to the beams, and reach into the swallow nests. The servant reached in and found the nests empty. Chūnagon was angry and scolded: “Your method is poor; that’s why you couldn’t find it.” He thought of choosing someone else, but then decided: “Forget it, I’ll go myself.” So he sat in the basket and had someone slowly lift it. When near the beams, he looked into the nests and saw the swallow raising its tail. He quickly reached in and searched, touching a flat object. He was overjoyed and shouted: “I’ve got it, I’ve got it. Quickly lower me down. Kuratsumaro, I’ve found the peace-producing shell!” The crowd below pulled the sliding cord with force, but it snapped. Chūnagon fell headlong from the bamboo basket, landing face up in a large vessel called Hachijima Ding[8].
Everyone was shocked and rushed to lift him up. He was unconscious, with his eyes rolled back and breathing almost stopped. The servants hurriedly poured cold water into his mouth, and after some time, he was revived. They rubbed his limbs and then carried him down from the vessel, asking: “My lord, how do you feel now? Are you well?” Chūnagon, panting, barely replied: “A little better, but I still cannot move my waist. Fortunately, I am holding the peace-producing shell tightly in my hand, which makes me happy. Please light some pine resin candles so I can take a good look at this treasure.”
He then raised his head and looked at his palm, which surprisingly held a piece of dried swallow dung! Chūnagon was extremely disappointed and sighed: “Alas, no shell!”
From then on, people called things that go against wishes “Impossible to get the jade.”
Chūnagon’s mood plummeted. He had prepared a Tang cabinet to hold the peace-producing shell, but now that he had not obtained the shell, he could not send it to Princess Kaguya. Plus, he had broken his waist, and his frustration was beyond words. He was afraid that his foolish deeds would spread and become a joke, so he was depressed and full of regret. The more he worried, the worse his condition became, and his body grew weaker. The failure to get the shell was secondary; being mocked by the world was a more humiliating shame than not getting it. He was worried all day, suffering more than usual from illness.
Princess Kaguya heard of this and composed a song to send comfort. The song goes:
> "Autumn water, unable to see you, I guess the swallow’s shell was not obtained."After receiving the song, Ming Jia ordered the servant to recite it to herself. Although weak and ill, she still forced herself to lift her head, took the paper and brush prepared by the servant, and in great pain, wrote a reply song, which said:
“All things turn to emptiness, unable to obtain shells, if you show mercy, perhaps I can still be saved.”
After finishing, she immediately died from exhaustion. Princess Kaguya heard the news and felt a slight sorrow in her heart. Later, people referred to the last remaining hope as “Youbei” (有贝).
VIII. Imperial Hunting
Princess Kaguya’s unparalleled beauty, capable of causing fish to sink and geese to fall, spread to the ears of the Emperor. He summoned the chamberlain, Nakamiya Hoshiko, and issued an imperial decree: “It is said that Princess Kaguya is cold as ice to all men who admire her, often refusing marriage; many who seek her favor either ruin their families or their reputations. Go and see how beautiful she truly is?”
Hoshiko obeyed the order, left the palace, and visited the Bamboo-cutting Old Man’s house. The old man dared not be negligent and respectfully welcomed him. Hoshiko said to the old woman: “His Majesty has sent word that your daughter, Princess Kaguya, is outstanding in appearance. He has sent me to observe and report back.” The old woman replied, “Please wait a moment, I will go inform her now.” Then she entered the inner room and said to Princess Kaguya: “The Emperor’s envoy is outside, daughter, go and meet him!” Princess Kaguya said, “I am not beautiful, how can I meet the Emperor’s envoy?”
The old woman angrily said, “Such rudeness, do not speak nonsense. The envoy is from the Emperor, do not ignore him!” Princess Kaguya replied, “Even if it is an imperial decree, my mother need not be anxious.” Hearing her tone, she showed no intention of meeting the envoy.
The old woman, who had raised Princess Kaguya for many years and treated her as her own, was about to scold her when she saw her speak back, but she could not bear to do so. She had to come out and report to the chamberlain: “Sorry. The young lady is stubborn and refuses to come out to meet him. Please forgive her.”
The chamberlain said, “His Majesty has ordered that I must see Princess Kaguya at all costs. If I cannot see her, I cannot report back. The emperor’s command is for the people of this country; how can you disobey? You are too bold!” She scolded sternly. Hearing this, Princess Kaguya still refused to obey and responded loudly in the inner room: “If disobeying the imperial order is a crime, then just kill me!”
The chamberlain, hearing this, had no choice but to return to the palace and honestly report to the emperor. The emperor said, “Her heart is so firm, no wonder she can cause men to lose their lives.” He once wanted to give up, but then felt unwilling, thinking how could he be defeated by a woman?
So, the emperor issued an edict, ordering Bamboo-cutting Old Man to come and see him, and said to him: “Quickly bring your daughter, Princess Kaguya, to the palace. I have long heard of her beauty and grace, and have sent envoys to see her, but they returned empty-handed. Is her arrogance and rudeness something you taught?” The old man, trembling with fear, replied: “I dare not. My daughter does not want to enter the palace, and I am very distressed. After returning home, I will reaffirm the imperial will and persuade her again.”
After hearing this, the emperor nodded and said, “Princess Kaguya was raised by you, how could she disobey you? If you can persuade her to enter the palace, I will grant you a fifth-rank official position.”
The old man was overjoyed and happily returned home, telling Princess Kaguya: “The emperor’s decree is hard to refuse. If you do not agree, it will be difficult.”
Princess Kaguya replied, “My mind is made up; I will not enter the palace. If forced, I will leave the human world. Or, if I reluctantly enter after you are promoted, I will immediately commit suicide!”
The old man hurriedly said, “Oh no! I would never use my daughter’s life to exchange for high official rank. How can this be? But why are you so persistent in not entering the palace? This matter should not be a matter of life and death!”
Princess Kaguya said, “In any case, I will not deceive you. If you do not believe, send me into the palace and you will know immediately. Many men have sincerely pursued me day and night, but I have refused. The emperor only issued the decree these past two days; if I agree, won’t I be laughed at by the world?”
The old man said, “All things in the world are nothing compared to your life and death. Since you threaten with death, I will go again into the palace and report your wishes to the emperor.”
Then, the old man entered the palace again and reported to the emperor: “His Majesty, I have explained the situation to the young lady. She is determined not to enter the palace and said that if forced, she would rather die. This girl is not my biological daughter but was found in the mountains in her youth, and her temper and character are very different from others.”
The emperor said, “Zao Mao, your family seems to be near the foot of the mountain, right? Why don’t I pretend to go hunting in the mountains and pass by your house? I should be able to see Princess Kaguya then.”
The old man replied, “That plan is excellent. When she is unguarded, I will visit suddenly and surely see her.”
The emperor chose an auspicious day, set out for mountain hunting, and took the opportunity to visit Princess Kaguya’s house. The house was glowing with light, and a stunning beauty sat inside. The emperor knew this woman must be Princess Kaguya. Just as he was about to approach, she suddenly stood up and avoided the inner chamber. The emperor quickly stepped forward, grabbed her sleeve. Princess Kaguya hurriedly covered her face with her other sleeve. But the emperor had already seen her extraordinary beauty, and was instantly captivated. He did not want to let go and thought of taking her back to the palace.
At this moment, Princess Kaguya said, “If I am born in my own country, I can serve the emperor. But I am not from this country, and it is difficult to be forced into the palace.”
The emperor said, “How can this be! Even if it is difficult, you must go with me.” He ordered his attendants to lift the palanquin, intending to force Princess Kaguya into it. Strangely, Princess Kaguya’s body suddenly disappeared! The emperor was shocked, both regretful and sorrowful, and then realized she was extraordinary. He hurriedly said, “Since that is the case, I will not force you into the palace. Please appear now, let me see you one more time, and then you can return.” Princess Kaguya immediately revealed herself.
Although the emperor knew Princess Kaguya was extraordinary, his love for her grew even more intense, almost unbearable. But at this moment, there was nothing he could do but praise the old man, saying he had seen Princess Kaguya. The old man was overjoyed, held a grand banquet, and entertained the emperor and the officials.
As they prepared to leave, the emperor felt a sense of loss and could not bear to part with Princess Kaguya. He was gloomy, sat in his palanquin, and composed a waka poem to her, expressing his feelings. The poem said:
“Willing to go and stay, my heart worries, the empty return of the carriage, only because the beautiful lady refuses to accompany me.”
Princess Kaguya replied with a reply song:
“Having long been accustomed to the humble gate, my humble home nurtures my heart in peace, I dare not climb the golden palace and jade halls.”
The emperor read her song and was even more reluctant to leave. His heart was entirely with Princess Kaguya, with no other thoughts. But as an emperor, he could not stay overnight outside. Reluctantly, he returned to the palace.
Back in the palace, the emperor found that none of his usual consorts or court ladies could compare to Princess Kaguya. Even the beauties of the past seemed dull in comparison. His mind was now only filled with her image. He lived in loneliness and despair, no longer visiting the courtiers’ women. He wrote frequent letters to her, expressing his longing. Princess Kaguya always replied with beautiful writing. Over time, the emperor’s feelings deepened as he appreciated the changing seasons, flowers, and plants, composing songs and sending them to Princess Kaguya.
IX. Feathered Garment of Heaven
Princess Kaguya and the emperor exchanged letters and gifts for three years unknowingly. One spring night, Princess Kaguya looked up at the bright moon and suddenly felt sorrowful, falling into deep thought. Her servant advised, “The moon’s face should not be looked at directly; it is taboo and may bring bad luck.” But Princess Kaguya, when her family was unprepared, still gazed at the moon alone and secretly wept.
On the night of the full moon, July 15th, Princess Kaguya came to the corridor from her chamber, looked up at the bright moon, and silently appeared sad and dejected. The servant saw this and hurriedly told the Bamboo-cutting Old Man: “Although the young lady loves to admire the moon normally, she has been sighing frequently lately, and tonight her sadness is even greater. This is unusual, so please pay more attention to prevent any accidents.”
Therefore, the old man specifically asked Princess Kaguya: “Is something bothering you? Why are you so sad when looking at the moon? Isn’t everything in this world very beautiful?”
Princess Kaguya replied, “I do not know why, but recently, whenever I see the bright moon, I feel uneasy for no reason, and I deeply feel the world’s sorrow and sadness, so I keep sighing.”
Later, another day, the old man entered Princess Kaguya’s room and saw her still with a worried expression, deep in thought. He asked, “Daughter, what is troubling you so much?” She still replied, “Nothing, just feeling uneasy for no reason.” The old man advised, “Since your mood is not good, do not look at the moon. Every time you see the moon, you become so sad.” Princess Kaguya said, “Ah, how can I not look at the bright moon?” Since then, whenever the full moon was in the sky, she would stare at it on the corridor, lost in thought.
Strangely, during windy and moonless nights, Princess Kaguya was not sad or worried. But on full moon nights, she would lament and cry. The servants, seeing this, would secretly discuss: “It seems she must have a secret.” Her parents and the whole family did not know the reason.
On a night near the fifteenth of August, Princess Kaguya came to the corridor and cried loudly. This time, unlike before, she did not hide from others but cried directly on the ground. The old man and old woman were alarmed and asked repeatedly what was wrong. Princess Kaguya sobbed and said, “This matter, I wanted to tell the elders long ago, but I was afraid you would be sad, so I kept it secret until now. But I have to say it now. I do not belong to the mortal world; I am a celestial from the moon palace, and I descended to the human world because of a past life karma. Now the time to return has come, and on the fifteenth of this month, the people of the moon will come to fetch me. This cannot be avoided, and I must go back. Thinking about parting forever from my parents makes me heartbroken. Since the beginning of spring this year, I have been restless and sorrowful.” She then cried even more.
The old man listened and said, “How can this be? When I found you in the bamboo, you were only as big as a rapeseed. Now you have grown as tall as me, and yet you must leave? Who will take you away? I will never allow it!” He then burst into tears, lamenting, “If you leave, I might as well die first!” Seeing this, everyone was moved to tears.
Princess Kaguya said, “I have parents in the moon country. A hundred years in the mortal world is but a moment in the moon palace. I have lived quite long in this world, and I do not miss my parents in the moon country; instead, I find the human world kind and friendly. So, when parting is imminent, I feel no joy, only deep sorrow, as if I fell from the void to the earth, grief beyond words.” She then burst into tears.
The old man comforted her: “There is no need to speak such heartbreaking words. The visitors who come to fetch you, no matter how beautiful they are, I will not be polite to them.” His heart was filled with resentment and hatred toward the moon palace.
As night deepened, the universe was silent, and the Milky Way cast its shadow. It was nearly midnight.
Suddenly, the surroundings of the old man’s house shone with bright light, brighter than daytime, ten times brighter than the full moon, illuminating every pore and hair. In this light, a group of people descended from the sky on clouds, floating five feet above the ground, arranged in a formation. The people inside and outside the old man’s house, as if bewitched, all felt numb and stiff, unable to move. Their previous courage in battle disappeared. Some tried to muster their strength to shoot arrows, but their arms were weak and they collapsed. The strongest among them focused and shot arrows, but they flew astray and missed. All the warriors were stunned, losing their fighting spirit. They looked around in confusion.
The celestial beings in the clouds, dressed in splendid attire and with beautiful appearances, were peerless. A cloud chariot stopped beside them, covered with a thin silk canopy. A figure resembling a general stepped out and shouted: “Saki Zao Mao, come forward!” The old man, who had just wanted to fight the celestial beings, was now drunk and knelt on the ground. The celestial being scolded him: “You truly are foolish! Because of your slight merit, Princess Kaguya was sent to descend and stay with you temporarily, and it has been quite a while. You have gained countless gold and become very rich and noble, quite different from before. Princess Kaguya has committed a heavenly offense, so she was temporarily banished to your humble place. Now her sins are gone, and we are here to take her back. Why are you crying and not recognizing her? Quickly, hand her over!”
The old man replied, “Old Mao has raised Princess Kaguya for over twenty years. You say she is temporarily staying here, but that does not make sense. The Princess Kaguya you speak of is probably someone else, born elsewhere.” He paused and added, “The Princess Kaguya living in this house is seriously ill now and cannot come out to meet you.”
The celestial beings did not respond to him. They flew their cloud chariot to the roof of the old man’s house and called out: “Princess Kaguya, listen, such a filthy place cannot be her long residence!”
In an instant, the tightly closed warehouse door opened by itself, and the lattice windows also opened automatically. The Princess Kaguya, who had been tightly embraced by the old woman, left her arms and walked out lightly. The old woman tried to hold her back but was powerless. She looked up to the sky, crying and watching her leave. The old man was helpless and could only cry on the ground.
Princess Kaguya approached the old man and said, “Even if I am unwilling, I cannot help my fate. Now, please, the two elders, send me to heaven!” The old man lamented: “I am heartbroken; how can I send you? How can you leave us and ascend to heaven alone? Why not take us with you?”
Hearing this, Princess Kaguya’s mind was in chaos, unable to decide. After a moment, she said, “Then, I will leave a letter for you. Whenever you miss me, please take it out and look at it.” She then burst into tears, sobbing as she wrote:
“If I were born in the human world, I would serve my parents until old age, never causing them pain of parting. But worldly affairs are mostly beyond human control. My return to the moon palace is not from my heart, and I am deeply regretful. Now I shed my clothes and leave them for my parents as a keepsake. On every night of the full moon, I hope my parents will look up at the moon. Now, I leave my family and ascend to heaven, my heart is broken, as if I fell from the void, grief beyond words.”
At this moment, a celestial being took out a box containing the feathered garment of heaven and an elixir of immortality. The celestial being said to Princess Kaguya: “Please take this elixir immediately. Because you have eaten human impurities, your mind has become evil; taking this medicine should eliminate it.” She took a sip, then wrapped the remaining elixir in the clothes she had just taken off, intending to give it to the old man. The celestial being did not allow her to do so and took out the feathered garment of heaven, ordering her to put it on immediately.
Princess Kaguya said, “Please wait! Once I put on this feathered garment, I will instantly transform and my mind will change. But I still have something to say.” After speaking, she also wrote a letter. The celestial being impatiently urged: “The time has come, no more delay.” Princess Kaguya said, “Do not speak such unreasonable words again.” Then she calmly sent a letter to the emperor, which read:
“Grateful for Your Majesty’s dispatch of troops to prevent my ascension, I am deeply thankful. But heavenly will is hard to oppose; I cannot stay in the human world forever. Therefore, my heart is full of regret and sorrow. In the past, Your Majesty summoned me to serve in the palace because of my complicated origins, and I refused to obey your will. This act of disobedience and rudeness will surely upset Your Majesty. Now I am returning, feeling anxious and fearful.”
The letter ended with a poem:
“It is hard to stay in the mortal world, I wear the feathered garment and go. Remembering your kindness and loyalty, I write this sorrowful letter.”
She placed the elixir and the letter together, called the captain in her mind, and asked him to bring them into the palace and deliver them to the emperor. The celestial being handed the letter and the elixir to the captain, then immediately put the feathered garment of heaven on Princess Kaguya. She instantly forgot her reluctance to leave the old man and her home, and…忘记了离别的悲伤，在人间的种种往事，由于穿上羽衣的缘故，全都忘得一干二净。烦恼散尽的辉夜姬，登上云车，在一百多名天人的前呼后拥下，升天而去，归返月宫。
可怜伐竹翁与老妪，从此以后每日里泣血捶膺，却也无济于事了。旁人将辉夜姬所遗书信读给伐竹翁听，他闷闷不乐道：“风烛残年，何必惜命？爱女已去，苟活无益。”于是药也不肯服，不久就一病不起了。
第十、不死之山
再说头中将率众武士归朝，将不战而败、无法挽留辉夜姬的情况，详细奏禀天皇，而后呈上不死灵药与辉夜姬的书信。天皇览信毕，感怀涕零，从此寝食俱废，歌舞管弦亦无兴致。
某日，他召集大臣、上达部[9]，问道：“哪座山离天最近？”有大臣奏道：“骏河国有山，离京都不远，而且离天最近。”天皇随即作歌一首，云：
“佳人难再见，心悲泪交流。纵有不死药，服之何所益！”
他将此歌同不死灵药一起，置于壶中，交给一位名叫调岩笠的近侍，命他为御使，前往骏河国那座山的山顶。等到达山顶后，点燃药壶，将御制和歌与辉夜姬所送的不死灵药一道焚掉。
调岩笠奉旨，率大队兵马，登上山顶，焚尽和歌与不死灵药。从此之后，这座山便被称作“不死之山”，即“富士山”[10]。据说山巅所燃浓烟，迄今仍在喷吐，直冲云霄，达于月宫。此即自古传承之《竹取物语》！
原文写为“夜這い(よばい)”，直译是私通之意。“夜這い”指日本古代的一种婚姻形式，称为“访妻婚”或“妻问婚”，盛行于大和时代，一直延续至平安时代。这种婚姻是夫妇别居，男女各自住在自己家中，男方在晚上潜入女方家，短则翌日清晨离开，长则在女家逗留多日。所生子女随母亲生活，而男性则负责妻儿的生活费。这种婚姻形式，主体双方处于一种松散结合的关系，相互间并不需要信守婚姻的誓约，男性往往同时有多名妻子，妻子则拥有择夫的权利，也拥有子女的命名权。 ↩︎
佛之石钵，相传是释迦初悟道时，四大天王所敬奉。唯释迦得用，余人不能持用。释迦灭度后，石钵安置于灵鹫山。 ↩︎
小仓山在大和国十市郡。日语中“仓”与“暗”同音。 ↩︎
日语中“钵”与“耻”同音。 ↩︎
筑紫国：又称筑州，古日本行政区域，位于今日之九州岛。 ↩︎
辰时：上午七点整至九点整。 ↩︎
玉的日语读音为“たま”，与魂、灵同音，所以日本人常以玉象征魂灵。 ↩︎
八岛鼎：大炊寮中之鼎，代表日本灶神。外形三足双耳，共有八只，隐喻八大岛国，即日本。 ↩︎
上达部：位阶在三位以上的公卿的异称。 ↩︎
日语中，富士之山，与“不死之山”音近。 ↩︎
I saw the ending, uh uh, and indeed it was excessive in whitewashing the emperor.
Is this really a satire of the landlords? It seemed quite progressive earlier, but when it reaches “Tian Zhi Yu Yi” (Heaven’s Feathered Garment), it becomes both loyal and filial, and Princess Kaguya even regrets not marrying the Heavenly Emperor. It feels like the previous refusal of marriage by Princess Kaguya has been completely overturned. Seeing the ending, my most direct feeling is that this kind of hypocritical false sentiment, like that of a Confucian dog, is really disgusting.
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After all, one must still be loyal to the emperor and love the country
Because of the compromise nature of the Legalist landlord class, ultimately, conflicts and struggles are still described as “harmony and resolution,” with both sides harmonizing with each other. Since the Legalist landlords also belong to the exploiting class, they cannot completely oppose the exploitative system. Therefore, by the end of the story, although Kaguya-hime has never agreed to the emperor’s marriage, she also does not despise the emperor, nor does she break with him. This shows that Confucian loyalty to the monarch has a deep influence on the author.
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I revised the translation and used a more accurate version now. Additionally, I saw in the replies that someone mentioned a highly harmful reactionary 二次元 (anime/manga) “Kaguya-sama: Love is War,” and a new post can be created specifically to criticize it.
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But it seems that Kaguya-hime is indeed very filial to the Bamboo Cutter, whereas historically, the Legalist landlord class was not very filial. For example, Cao Cao “had his face blown crooked by evil wind”; Oda Nobunaga did not wear mourning clothes at his father Oda Nobuhide’s funeral and threw incense at the altar, and later suppressed his younger brothers and conservative forces, showing no filial piety at all.
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In fact, on the other hand, Kaguya-hime certainly has elements of filial piety, but she repeatedly refuses her parents’ demands for her to marry, opposing the Confucian idea of “marriage by parental arrangement and matchmaker’s words.” She believes that having control over her own marriage is also a form of rebellion against the traditional norms, which is unacceptable in Confucian society. Originally, women had no choice over whom they married or whether to marry at all, especially in feudal Confucian society. If Kaguya-hime ultimately did not break with her parents, it can only be because the author could not find a realistic way to liberate women. In the end, they resorted to mysticism to fill the gap, turning what should have been a decisive break into a compromise—Kaguya-hime ascending to heaven and being forcibly separated from her parents, leaving other deities to be the “villains” who cut the chains of Confucian ethics. This is where the compromise lies.
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Makes sense
To be honest, the second half of this story drops sharply in quality, indicating that the author’s legalist ideas are still not fully developed; the first and second halves have completely different styles.
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It’s like this, I was watching with great interest at first, and then I was so shocked that I couldn’t close my mouth.