The Bamboo Cutter and his wife had always wanted a child. Each morning, they offered a prayer to the sun, and when night fell, they shared their hopes with the moon. And because the Bamboo Cutter knew that one day, their prayers would be answered, he wasn’t surprised when a daughter arrived. But the manner of her birth was rather peculiar…
You see, the man was chopping bamboo like he always did, when he saw a light emanating from one of the stalks. Careful not to damage whatever lay inside, he took his hatchet and made a small slit in the plant. A beautiful child looked back at him.
The girl was about the size of a thumb, and no matter the time of day, she possessed an aura that was both familiar and mesmerizing. Right away, the Bamboo Cutter and his wife adopted the child and named her Kaguya-Hime. Within a week, the girl was full grown.
Her arrival was a blessing, and the Bamboo Cutter was grateful. His wife started singing again like when they were first married, and the Bamboo Cutter whistled the same tune as he completed his daily chores. Instead of blindly chopping whatever stalk grew before him, now, the Bamboo Cutter waited for the plants to lead. He realized that if he were patient, one of the stalks would respond by glimmering, glowing, and radiating a bright light. Although he never found another child within the glowing bamboo stems, he did find plenty of gold, silver, and precious gemstones.
Soon, the Bamboo Cutter, his wife, and Kaguya-Hime were one of the wealthiest families around. Strapping lads and would-be-suitors regularly visited their home, hoping they might woo the beautiful Kaguya-Hime. But, to their dismay, the girl was not interested in marriage. When the emperor took notice of the young woman who glowed like the moon, he offered her a crown. As always, she declined. She told him the best she could offer was her friendship, to which he quickly consented. The emperor spent hours writing love letters and sonnets to Kaguya-Hime. She replied with haikus and fantastical stories about a princess who lived on the moon.
But when things are going well, time flies.
Eventually, Kaguya-Hime’s parents grew old. Although the Bamboo Cutter still acquired jewels from his daily visits to the bamboo forest, in his old age, his movements were slow and required great effort. Since his family was already rich, he gave away all the gold and silver and spent his evenings crafting bamboo furniture and trinkets.
As Spring’s full moon neared, Kaguya-Hime’s heart grew heavy. With tears in her eyes, she confessed to her parents that soon, she would have to leave. Not because she wanted to, but because the moon people were on their way.
Kaguya-Hime explained that before she came to earth, she lived on the moon. Being earthbound was her punishment (although for what, she never said), but now that her wrongs were righted, the moon people called her home.
Kaguya-Hime’s parents were devastated and did everything to convince her to stay. Each morning, they offered a prayer to the sun, and when night fell, they shared their hopes with the moon. But alas, it was no use. A few weeks later, when the moon waxed full once more and shone brighter than it ever had, the Bamboo Cutter believed their prayers had been answered.
But when he looked at his daughter, she too glowed brighter than normal. Like she had warned, the moon people had arrived for their princess. Kaguya-Hime cried and embraced her parents. She told them to keep praying to the sun and moon because in case they hadn’t noticed, the cosmos have a way of responding.
As thanks to the couple who had asked for a child and instead, received a curious, thumb-sized daughter who wouldn’t marry, entertain suitors, or follow any of the traditional roles expected of her, Kaguya-Hime gave her parents a gift. Before returning to her life in the heavens, she handed them a small bottle. Inside was the Elixir of Life.
The Bamboo Cutter almost drank the bottle right then and there, but he realized it was only a single dose – so what of his wife? Did she not deserve to see their daughter again? And what of the emperor? Although he and Kaguya-Hime were only friends, he loved her dearly.
The Bamboo Cutter sighed. Instead of drinking the elixir, he, his wife, and the emperor took the potion to the peak of the tallest mountain. Once they were as close to the heavens as any mortal could be, they took a flame to the elixir. The elixir burned, and in response, the moon glowed brighter. Tearfully, the Bamboo Cutter and his wife walked back down the mountain, wondering how many more days they had before they might see their daughter again.
As the story goes, when old age came for the Bamboo Cutter and his wife, the Moon Princess known as Kaguya-Hime was waiting for them. Even though the family is now reunited, legend says that their love still burns and smoke still billows from atop Mt. Fuji.
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This story was inspired by and adapted from the Japanese folktale, The Bamboo Cutter and the Moon Child.
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Spell & ritual candles have been used throughout time to focus and direct intent while honoring and evoking the divine. This collection of Goddess Candles were created as a way to honor the feminine and call upon the Goddesses to… read moreSilver Moon Necklace
Goddess Candles (Scented Soy Wax)
