The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter

The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter is a Japanese folktale about a bamboo cutter who discovers a tiny, radiant girl inside a bamboo stalk. He raises her, and she becomes extraordinary, attracting royal suitors. She reveals herself as a celestial being from the moon, and eventually, she returns to her celestial home, leaving behind a sorrowful farewell. The story explores themes of beauty, impermanence, and longing, blending elements of folklore, mystery, and spirituality in a poetic narrative.