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Kaguya
The Taketori Monogatari (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter) is a story that every Japanese person knows.
It is the story of Princess Kaguya, who was born from a bamboo. Raised by a kindly, elderly couple, Kaguya-hime grew up to be incredibly beautiful. In the end, a messenger from the moon comes to take her, and she returns to the moon.
One day, as my daughter’s wedding approached, Taketori Monogatari suddenly came to mind. That story is not just a fairy tale. It is a real story. That’s why it has been passed down through generations, I thought to myself.
Perhaps the story speaks of a child’s separation from their parents, or a parent’s letting go of their child. That’s what I thought. I think it especially expresses the helpless and helpless emotions of parents.
My daughter’s marriage is like returning her to the moon. It means living in a world beyond our reach. It signifies a spiritual separation.
As I walked down the aisle with my daughter, I felt a mix of joy and sadness, like anyone would. And in my heart, I whispered to myself, “It’s farewell, it’s farewell.”
(Exhibited at the 90th Shunyo-kai in 2013)