Description
- The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, also known as Princess Kaguya, is a 10th-century Japanese folktale. It is considered the oldest extant Japanese narrative and an early example of proto-science fiction. It primarily details the life of a mysterious girl called Kaguya-hime, who was discovered as a baby inside the stalk of a glowing bamboo plant. She is said to be from Tsuki-no-Miyako.
- Eventually, five princes came to Taketori no Okina's residence to ask for Kaguya-hime's hand in marriage. The princes eventually persuaded Taketori no Okina to tell a reluctant Kaguya-hime to choose from among them. Kaguya-hime concocted impossible tasks for the princes, agreeing to marry the one who managed to bring her his specified item. That night, Taketori no Okina told the five princes what each must bring.
- After this, the Emperor of Japan, Mikado, came to see the strangely beautiful Kaguya-hime and, upon falling in love, asked her to marry him. Although he was not subjected to the impossible trials that had thwarted the princes, Kaguya-hime rejected his request for marriage as well, telling him that she was not of his country and thus could not go to the palace with him
- As the day of her return approached, the Emperor set many guards around her house to protect her from the Moon people, but when an embassy of "Heavenly Beings" arrived at the door of Taketori no Okina's house, the guards were blinded by a strange light. Kaguya-hime announced that, though she loved her many friends on Earth, she must return with the Moon people to her true home. She wrote sad notes of apology to her parents and to the Emperor, then gave her parents her own robe as a memento.
- The parents became very sad and were soon put to bed sick. The officer returned to the Emperor with the items Kaguya-hime had given him as her last mortal act, and reported what had happened. The Emperor read her letter and was overcome with sadness. He asked his servants, "Which mountain is the closest place to Heaven?", to which one replied the Great Mountain of Suruga Province.
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The lamps are constructed with washi which is a kind of handmade paper of good texture, durability and translucence. The word "washi" is composed of "wa" which means "japanese," and "shi" which means "paper". It refers to Japanese paper handmade using traditional methods, derived from the ancient art of papermaking. The washi is achieved with very fine handwork. This paper has been used for centuries in Japanese homes for their ability to filter the light, softening the intensity and creating subdued lighting. The washi is traditionally produced using vegetable fibers from bamboo, hemp, rice, mulberry and other local plants. Since 2014, the washi has been associated in the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. ******** A special first rate, high-quality washi is used. The lamps are completely handmade by Shino Iwamura, from the conceptual drawings to the coloring by hand. LED candle included. To avoid shipping problems, the batteries are not included. The quality of each lamp is absolutely guaranteed! (^_^) WARNING The lamps MUST NOT be used with real candles. DIMENSIONS Height 26 cm / 10.2 inch --- Diameter 12 cm / 4.7 inch ******** I use high quality materials and I guarantee that with my professional means of production, the products will maintain their original quality and design. The greatest satisfaction of doing this job, is knowing that there are people around the world who purchase my products, places that I will probably never visit. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me (^_^)
