Princess Kaguya Coloring Pages

Princess Kaguya is the main character in The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, one of the oldest stories in Japan. A mysterious and beautiful woman born from inside a bamboo stalk turns down proposals from many suitors, and in the end, she returns to the world of the moon. It is a story that shows both beauty and the sadness of saying goodbye.

The Story's Origin and Theme

People think The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter was written in the Heian period. It is said to be the very first story-based literature. No one knows who wrote it.

• Theme and Lesson: The themes of this story are "beauty beyond ordinary humans" and "a tragic fate." Princess Kaguya's existence goes beyond everyday life on Earth. The story shows the foolishness of the greedy men who try to win her heart. Also, the sadness of saying goodbye to the old man and woman who raised her touches your heart deeply.
• The World of the Moon: Princess Kaguya coming from the moon shows how people back then imagined space and mysterious things.

Synopsis

Long, long ago, there lived an old man who made his living by cutting bamboo. One day, when he went to the mountains, he found a mysterious bamboo stalk that was glowing at its base.

When he cut the bamboo open, there was a tiny girl small enough to sit in the palm of his hand inside. The old man and his wife named her Princess Kaguya and raised her with love and care. Princess Kaguya quickly grew into a beautiful woman, and their house was filled with a dazzling light.

Princess Kaguya's beauty became famous. Five noble suitors and the Emperor asked her to marry them. But Princess Kaguya gave them impossible tasks and turned down all their offers.

However, when nights with a full moon came around, Princess Kaguya began to look at the moon and become lost in thought. Finally, she revealed the truth: she was a person from the moon sent away from the Capital of the Moon, and soon, people would come to take her back to the moon.

On the day of farewell, messengers from the moon arrived to pick her up, and even the Emperor's soldiers were no match for them. Princess Kaguya said goodbye to the old man and woman, gave the elixir of immortality to the Emperor, put on a feather robe from the moon, and returned to the world of the moon. The old man, the old woman, and the Emperor who were left behind felt very sad.

When you color this page, the trick is to show Princess Kaguya's graceful beauty and the mysterious moonlight.

How to Color: The Basics

• Princess Kaguya:
  • Kimono: Color her fancy kimono, like the Junihitoe, using soft colors (light pink, light green, light blue, purple). Color each layer carefully to show her gracefulness.
  • Skin: Start with white, then add soft shadows with a very light skin tone. This will make her skin look glowy and clear, as if bathed in moonlight.
  • Hair: Use deep jet-black to show her long, beautiful hair.
• The Old Man and Old Woman:
  • Kimono: Use brown or calm, muted colors (gray, dark green) to show their simple kindness and warmth.
  • Expressions: Color them carefully to bring out their kind eyes and gentle faces.
• Bamboo:
  • Stalks: Blend bright green into dark green to show how strong and straight bamboo grows.

Colors for Special Items

• Moonlight:
  • Full Moon: If you color a night sky, make the round moon glow with soft yellow or white. Color the sky around it dark blue or navy blue to make the moonlight stand out!

Tips for Having Fun with Your Coloring Page!

• Express yourself freely!
  • You can draw more parts of the grand house or garden where Princess Kaguya lives! Use fancy colors and pretty flowers to expand her story world. Express yourself freely!