In this stunning Japanese classic, we are invited to reflect on the elegance of simplicity, the beauty of nature, and the human desire for true freedom. "The Tale of Princess Kaguya" takes us through landscapes of fantasy and reality, where the magic of nature and the majesty of the human spirit blend harmoniously.
Anyone who loves the production of "The Tale of Princess Kaguya" knows that the work is full of natural scenery, unique artwork, and nostalgic stories and atmosphere. Most of us probably know “The Story of Princess Kaguya, which is based on the ancient Japanese folk tale “The Bamboo Sword and the Moon Princess”? This film was released in 2013 and directed by Isao Takahata, director of “Grave of the Fireflies”.
Kaguya's story has a relatively small number of characters. We get a good look at Kaguya and her family, as well as her childhood friend Satenmaru and her strict nanny, Mrs. Sagami. Other characters, such as the various suitors trying to win Kaguya's heart, don't get much development, but that works to the film's advantage. Kaguya herself is a quiet child, often full of curiosity. He grew up so quickly that the other children in the village nicknamed him "Zhuzi" ("little bamboo"). Kaguya enjoys playing outdoors and is more interested in playing with her friends than pursuing material things.
However, as she got older, her adoptive father became more convinced that his daughter deserved the best. After finding gold and some cloth in a bamboo forest, Bamboo Knife convinces himself that this is a sign that Kaguya must marry a rich suitor. He believes Kaguya is divine royalty and moves his small family to the city. Kaguya was trained to be a "good woman," but after the charm of her new life wears off, she begins to miss her old home. His aristocratic life had become a prison, and he felt he would never be able to express himself as freely as before.
When the suitors arrive, Kaguya is mostly uninterested. The nobles compared it to countless fairy tale treasures. To test their loyalty and hope to drive them away, Kaguya tells her suitors to get the treasure. None of them succeed: two deliver fake goods, the youngest almost convinces Kaguya to marry him (before his angry wife shows up), and the last dies while searching for the treasure. At one point, Kaguya even tries to escape back into the mountains, only to find that all her friends have moved away.
Kaguya's parents have opposite personalities. His father was often too ambitious. She wants the best for her adopted daughter but is largely unaware of Kaguya's true emotions. (Kaguya endures society's trials primarily because she wants her father to be happy.) Kaguya's mother, on the other hand, is more grounded and often the voice of reason. He became more aware of what was wrong. However, when Kaguya's true life experiences were revealed, her parents were too late to do anything.
This may confuse or bore those unfamiliar with neorealism or expecting action-packed epics. However, for everyone else, I highly recommend watching this film. It's a bittersweet story that manages to be both hopeful and sad, and sometimes even funny, all at once.
And that brings me to the end of my post. I hope you enjoy it. See you next time! Peace ✌ ✌️.
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