Princess Kaguya
The Japanese legend of the moon
🎧 Press play to listen to the full episode of the podcast “Atlas of Legends.”
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One of Japan’s oldest written tales is the Taketori Monogatari, known as "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter". Composed during the Heian period, in the 10th century, it is regarded as the first major work of Japanese narrative literature and the root of the country’s later folk stories.
At the center of this enduring tale stands Kaguya-hime, the moon princess, a mysterious, wistful figure who has inspired poets, artists, and filmmakers for generations. Her story touches on universal themes: impossible love, the pull of what cannot be held, and the connection between the celestial world and the human one.
Kaguya’s myth is more than a fairy tale; it has become a cultural symbol that blends nature’s spirituality with the Japanese search for beauty and harmony.
👉 In this episode of Atlas of Legends, we explore her legend and look at why it still shapes Japan’s imagination after more than a thousand years.
Press play ▶️ and follow the path… all the way to the moon. 🌙
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