‘If I hear that you pine for me, I will return to you. If you are truly waiting for me… I will come straight back.’
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya quotes
Inbe no Akita
[Talking about Kaguya]
The moment I stood before her, this aged body began to tremble as if a dry fountain had come back to life. Just the memory of that glimmering beauty leaves me completely lost for words!
Kita
‘Somewhere that is not here’? I would very much like to be taken there again.
Kita
How many flowers… have you plucked and thrown away… leaving them to shave their heads in despair… and become nuns?
[Feeling at fault after hearing Middle counselor Isonokami had died]
This garden! It’s a fake! Fake! Fake! Fake! Fake! All of it! Fake! And so am I!
Stop it!
It’s my fault everyone’s miserable.
It’s not your fault! It’s not!
It is my fault. Because I’m a fake!
Princess!
I never dreamed things would turn out like this.
Of course not. But it’s not your fault.
Lady Sagami
[after Kaguya had asked to swim]
You most certainly may not! A noble princess does not frolic and dance around in such a manner.
Prince Ishitskuri
[Speaking to Kaguya for the first time]
I am Prince Ishitsukuri! If you consent to being my wife… I will worship you day and night, my forehead to the ground… as I would the stone begging bowl of Lord Buddha himself in India.
Prince Ishitsukuri
I’m sorry! Forgive me!
Prince Ishitsukuri
[attempting to win over Kaguya]
Ah! My feelings for you bloomed unknown, I thought. Just like that flower. Suddenly the realization dawned… That what I wanted to give you… And you wanted to receive… Was not some unattainable treasure, but that flower. In other words, the symbol of my devotion to you.
‘Devotion’…
Prince Ishitsukuri
Princess Kaguya! You are the one... to whom I would give my heart. Would you accept that lovely flower… and my devotion? I have always loved plants. I am entranced by the nameless flowers that grow by the roadside. And I always wish… I could live as one of those flowers of the field. Princess, come with me to some place that is not this one. Let us leave the capital and its formalities… for a rich green land of flowers, birds, and leaping fish. Somewhere not here. We will laugh, sing, and sleep to our hearts’ content. Morning to night, the seasons meeting our needs… let us spin a beautiful tale. Come with me to somewhere that is not here! A land of green where flowers bloom, birds sing, and fish dance. Somewhere that is not here!
Sanuki no Miyatsuko
What?!
If you wish to accuse me of disobedience to His Majesty then feel free to kill me. If your happiness depends on a courtier’s cap then I will go to him. When I see you wearing that cap, then I will kill myself.
It’s me Heaven’s blessed! I’m the one who’ll raise her.
There’s joy, there’s grief. All who live here feel them in all their different shades. There’s birds, bugs, beasts, grass, trees, flowers, and feelings.