Tale of the Bamboo Cutter
Cast -
Princess Kaguya: Shizuka
Misao: Ootori Kokona
Old Man: Sasuga Chisa
Old Woman: Yanagiba Panda
Messenger From the Moon: Kathrina Griebel
Act 1 -
Once upon a time, there was an old man known as the Bamboo Cutter.
One day, while working, he found a glowing bamboo stalk.
Intrigued, he cut it down, and out emerged a girl as beautiful as a jewel.
The Old Man believed she was a gift from heaven and raised her carefully with his wife.
The innocent girl grew up quickly and was named Princess Kaguya.
Believing that the princess's happiness lay in marrying into a noble family and living a life of luxury, the Old Man moved from their remote mountain village to the capital.
Princess Kaguya was thrilled to see the splendid palace built in the shinden-zukuri style.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Misao.”
Misao was assigned to be her maid, and Princess Kaguya was fascinated by this girl of the same age, the first she had ever seen.
“Misao-chan, let's play!”
Though Misao was often overwhelmed by the tomboyish Princess Kaguya, the two grew as close as real sisters.
Time passed, and Princess Kaguya blossomed into a beautiful young woman.
Misao became her trusted confidante, playmate, and constant guardian, always watching over her.
Amidst her peaceful life in the capital, Princess Kaguya displayed remarkable talent in song and music.
Her beauty and brilliance soon became renowned throughout the city.
Act 2 -
Princess Kaguya blossomed into a noble and beautiful woman of talent.
Five noble young men visited the mansion to propose marriage.
The Old Man suggested she choose a husband from among them.
Though the Princess was reluctant, she couldn't dismiss the Old Man outright, who believed happiness lay in marrying and living without want.
“If I marry without knowing his true heart, and he becomes unfaithful, I will regret it,”
With a worried expression, Princess Kaguya addressed the old man.
“Even if someone holds a high position in the world, I cannot see into their heart. That is why I hesitate.”
As the Old Man persisted, insisting that all their affections must surely be deep, Kaguya's loyal attendant, Misao, quickly came up with a clever idea.
“There is no way to rank the love of these five gentlemen. Then, why not make their love visible?”
If the princess is a treasure to her master, that would be fitting indeed, she said, masterfully persuading the old man.
Kaguya worried what would happen if the nobles truly brought treasures, but Misao reassured her it would be fine.
She instructed them to bring treasures that did not exist, ensuring the princess would not have to marry anyone.
“Until a gentleman worthy of the princess appears, I will protect you!”
Kaguya smiled at the dependable Misao and thanked her.
Thus, the five noblemen journeyed to various lands seeking treasures, yet not one brought back what Kaguya desired.
Intrigued by the princess whom even their utmost efforts couldn't please, the Emperor resolved to invite Kaguya to the palace...
Act 3 -
Princess Kaguya refused the Emperor's offer to serve at court as a lady in waiting.
The Old Man tried to persuade her, saying it was unthinkable to reject the Emperor's proposal, but she remained adamant.
“I will not become the Emperor's. Please tell him so.”
Misao followed Princess Kaguya to the bamboo grove and asked why she had refused.
“To accept simply because he is the Emperor would be unfair to the others. Already, many have risked their lives and lost great wealth trying to marry me.”
“Heh heh. I knew you'd say that. Even the Emperor is powerless before you, Princess.”
Misao praised her for that trait, but Princess Kaguya looked sad.
“Tell me, Misao, have you ever seen bamboo flowers?”
Princess Kaguya suddenly looked up at the bamboo grove.
According to the books, bamboo blooms only once every 120 years.
“After they bloom, all the bamboo dies.”
She murmured that since they bloom only once in so many years, they must be beautiful, and she hoped they could see them together someday.
With resolve, Misao answered, “We will see them together someday.”
Yet as if to tear apart their bond, the Emperor forcibly attempted to take Princess Kaguya away.
Though the Emperor reluctantly withdrew his hand when the princess declared she would rather die than serve, that very night Princess Kaguya began gazing at the moon, filled with sorrow and lamentation.
“I have the audacity to consider you my true sister. If something troubles you, please confide in me.”
Worried for her, Misao pleads for her to stop gazing at the moon and instead share her heart's burden.
Then Princess Kaguya confessed...that she actually came from the moon's capital.
Act 4 -
“I must return to the moon.”
Having revealed her true identity to Misao, Princess Kaguya wept, saying she did not want to go back.
Her memories of the moon had been erased, but now, at last, she remembered.
“Then you needn't return!”
Princess Kaguya shook her head at Misao's plea to stay.
It was impossible; an envoy from the moon would arrive on the fifteenth night of this month.
“There's nothing to be done...I cannot defy fate.”
Holding the sobbing Princess Kaguya close, Misao resolved to protect her no matter what.
As the hour of the upcoming fifteenth night approached, the mansion was under heavy guard, yet the lunar envoys finally arrived.
Bows and arrows were useless against the lunar envoys; the soldiers stood frozen, unable to move.
Thinking resistance would only trouble Misao and the others, Princess Kaguya obediently responded to the Messenger of the Moon's beckoning.
The Messenger of the Moon attempted to erase Princess Kaguya's memories of her time on this planet by dressing her in the Heavenly Cloak, but was stopped with a plea to wait just a little longer.
“It was truly joyful, living together like real sisters.”
Princess Kaguya bid Misao a final farewell.
As she departed, Misao cried out, “Don't go! Onee-sama!”
Hearing the word “Onee-sama,” Princess Kaguya turned to look back at Misao.
In that instant, the Heavenly Cloak was draped over her, erasing her memories, and the Messenger of the Moon departed.
A month later, Misao gazed up at the night sky in the bamboo grove.
Though the moon was hidden by clouds, tears welled up in Misao's eyes as she thought of the princess.
Just then, the bamboo flowers that had been budding all bloomed at once, startling Misao.
Illuminated by the moonlight emerging from behind the clouds, the bamboo flowers shone with a divine radiance.
“...Onee-sama. The bamboo flowers are truly beautiful.”
Aftertalk -
Shizuka
Phew...we made it through somehow...
Ootori Kokona
Yeah. I was nervous, but I'm glad we finished the performance safely. Oh, Shizuka-chan. Your hair's gotten stuck inside your clothes.
Shizuka
Where?
Ootori Kokona
Just stay still for a moment. I'll fix it. There, all done!
Shizuka
Thanks.
Ootori Kokona
Heh heh. Doing this, it somehow really feels like we're Misao and Princess Kaguya.
Shizuka
Yeah. Though I think our usual roles are reversed.
Ootori Kokona
Me as Princess Kaguya? Shizuka-chan seems more like the older sister, and you're the one who's beautiful like a princess...
Shizuka
Oh, Kokona, you're beautiful too. Besides, I'm better at taking care of people. Well...it's not so bad sometimes. Spending time like this, like sisters.