Section 1
Once upon a time in the distant past, there dwelt an aged bamboo woodcutter. He was indigent and despondent, for he had not been blessed by the heavens with an offspring to brighten his twilight years. His heart held no glimmer of hope for repose from his toil until his demise when he would rest in the peaceful embrace of the grave. Every dawn, he ventured into the thickets and peaks where the bamboo stretched its lithe verdant fronds towards the firmament. After selecting his target, he would sever these plumes of the forest and, after cleaving them lengthwise or sectioning them, transport the bamboo timber to his abode. There, he and his elderly spouse eked out a modest livelihood by crafting sundry household items to sell.
On a typical morning, he had set out for his daily toil and, having stumbled upon a splendid cluster of bamboo began to cut a few down. Abruptly, the lush bamboo grove was awash with a soft, luminous glow, akin to the radiance of a full moon. Startled and bewildered, he scanned his surroundings and discerned that the resplendence emanated from a single bamboo shoot. Filled with amazement, the aged man relinquished his ax and proceeded toward the effulgence. As he drew closer, he observed that the soft radiance was emanating from a hollow within the verdant bamboo stem. Even more wondrous, amid the illumination stood a diminutive human, measuring a mere three inches in stature, and possessing an exquisitely alluring countenance.
"Surely, you must have been sent as a divine blessing, my child, for I chance upon you amidst the bamboo where I toil every day," uttered the elderly man. Picking up the minuscule being, he carried her home to his wife, who lovingly raised the petite creature. The little girl was of such remarkable loveliness and minuteness that the old woman placed her in a basket to shield her from any potential harm.
The elderly couple was now overjoyed, for their lifelong remorse of being childless had been assuaged, and they wholeheartedly showered their love on the little child who had serendipitously come into their lives.
After this incident, the old man frequently discovered gold and even precious gems lodged within the hollows of the bamboo as he felled and sectioned them. Gradually, his fortunes burgeoned, and he acquired vast wealth. He erected an opulent abode and was no longer recognized as the impoverished bamboo woodcutter, but rather as a prosperous magnate.
Within a fleeting span of three months, the bamboo child had incredibly metamorphosed into a fully grown maiden. Her foster parents combed her hair and adorned her in resplendent Japanese traditional garments. She was of such astounding loveliness that they concealed her behind the screens like royalty, permitting no one else to behold her and dutifully attending to her themselves. It appeared as though she were crafted from luminescence, for her mere presence radiated a soft glow, illuminating the entire house and rendering the darkness of the night akin to daytime. Her presence also seemed to have a benevolent effect on those around her. Whenever the old man was melancholic, he only needed to glimpse his adopted daughter, and his sorrow dissipated, restoring him to the elation he felt in his youth.
Finally, the auspicious day arrived for the naming of their newly discovered daughter. The old couple summoned a renowned name-giver, who bestowed upon her the name of Princess Moonlight, owing to the ethereal radiance emanating from her body, reminiscent of a daughter of the Moon God.
For three consecutive days, the festivity was celebrated with jubilant song, dance, and melodious music. All the kith and kin of the elderly couple attended the grand event and relished the revelry that ensued to commemorate the naming of Princess Moonlight. Every person who beheld her was astounded by her unparalleled beauty; it was opined that no other beauty, regardless of how eminent, could match her grandeur. The Princess's beauty became the talk of the town, and numerous suitors clamored to win her affection or even lay eyes on her in person.
Despite their efforts, the suitors could not get a chance to see the Princess or speak to her parents or servants. They became increasingly desperate and frustrated. Some of them tried to sneak into the house but were caught and driven away by the guards. Others resorted to sending gifts and love letters, hoping to win her favor, but all their efforts were in vain. The old couple, who loved their foster daughter dearly, were determined to protect her from unwanted attention and ensure her safety and happiness.
Despite being disappointed, the suitors persevered and remained outside the house day and night, enduring discomfort and inconvenience, all for the chance to catch a glimpse of the Princess. Their desire to see her was so strong that they considered their sacrifices insignificant.
