Princess Kaguya, the Bamboo Cutter's Daughter

Classical Stories · No. 5 — The moon child found in a stalk of light.

• Classical Stories
• 47 min
• Ages 8–13
• 6 chapters

About this audiobook

An old bamboo cutter finds a glowing stalk in the grove, and inside it a girl small enough to fit in his palm. She grows into Kaguya-hime, whose beauty draws five noble suitors — each sent on an impossible quest — and finally the Emperor himself. But Kaguya belongs to the Moon, and when it rises full in the eighth month, her people will come for her, no matter how many guards stand in the courtyard.

Why it's worth a listen

The quiet jewel of the season: a girl found glowing inside a stalk of bamboo, five suitors sent on gloriously doomed quests, an Emperor who becomes a true friend — and a moonrise no army can stop. Japan's oldest story, sad and beautiful at once, made for the last listen before sleep.

A question to keep

Can you keep something you love that was never yours to keep?

Based on the book by A tale from Japan, published by Emma's Library original retelling

Chapters

1. The Light in the Grove
2. The Moon on the Floor
3. Five Treasures of the Earth
4. The Emperor and the Ink
5. The Silver Chariot
6. A Question to Keep