The Princess Kaguya: Exploring Humanity and Emotional Satisfaction

– “The Tale of the Princess Kaguya,” a 3D animated feature, explores the idea of humanity and its range of emotions.
– The story starts with a bamboo cutter finding a baby princess in the forest, later named Kaguya.
– Kaguya, originally from heaven, wanted to experience human life and emotions.
– After living the life of a humble farm villager, Kaguya is taken to the capital where she is recognized as a monarch.
– The plot revolves around her life transition and how it defines our relationship with space.

Witty Debrief:

The ‘Princess Kaguya’ Conundrum

How many times have we all wished to be a heavenly princess, living life among the bamboo? Precisely zero, you say? Alright, maybe it’s just Kaguya then. Plucked from the heavens because she fancied a romp through the mundane mortal coil, her divine toddlerhood was principally characterized by, you guessed it, bamboo farming.

From Humble to Royal

But hold onto your stalks because Kaguya lands herself a sweet gig at the royal palace. But as it turns out, being a monarch isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s where the film metaphorically cannibalizes its own premise, exploring our relationship with physical and emotional spaces. And yes, it’s just as deep as it sounds.

Final Hot Take

Crafted with a blend of stellar animation and poignant storytelling, “The Tale of Princess Kaguya” raises more questions than a preschool on Monday morning. For instance, “Can we ever truly be content with where we are?” or “Is bamboo an accurate metaphor for life?” All jest aside, this film genuinely shines a thoughtful and beautifully rendered light on our constant grappling with emotional satisfaction and space conundrums. So, will Kaguya’s grass ever be green enough for her? Well, I guess you’ll have to watch and find out. And remember, life’s a journey, not a destination—no matter how many bamboo shoots you stumble over on the way!

The mythical tale of a princess named Kaguya, sent from the heavens to experience the range of human emotions, forms the theme of Isao Takahata’s adaptation. Set within a forest and moving to the capital, the film tastefully highlights the joys and pains of human existence, using space as the central element.

Isao Takahata’s The Tale of the Princess Kaguya cleverly uses blank spaces in the edges of the frame, creating a sublime sketch-like animation. The essence of the spirits’ land, the moon, and the human world, reflecting in Princess Kaguya’s journey and inner turmoil, forms the heart of this poignant narrative.

The film encourages viewers to appreciate the importance of space within and around us, essential for a fulfilling human experience.

The Gap Amidst the Frames

Kaguya diverges from Ghibli’s standard bright, fully colored visuals with its restrained use of color. The modest use of earthy greens and pale pinks contrasts with the dominating whiteness, mirroring an open canvas. The unoccupied spaces draw the viewer’s eyes to the minute details of each shot, further amplifying the essence of the narrative.

Left: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, Right: Kiki’s Delivery Service. Image: Studio Ghibli ©

Kaguya‘s minimalist art style accentuates the power of animation, resembling a series of handcrafted art pieces stitched together into a story, with the intentional omission of details allowing for viewer interpretation.

This technique of giving expression to the line and leaving blank spaces so that the entire surface of the painting is not filled, which engages the viewer’s imagination, is one that holds an important place not only in traditional paintings of China and Japan, but also in sketches in Western drawings. What I have done is to attempt to bring this technique to animation.

-Isao Takahata, Den of Geek (2015)

The film’s unspoken message lies in understanding the essence of human life through simple things, like facial expressions, movement of an animal, and the beauty of nature. Princess Kaguya’s journey, reflecting the complexities of humanity, serves as a metaphor for life.

The Space Above Us

Kaguya providing a mystic insight into the universe and relating it to societal classes, tells a tale about human experience. It portrays Princess Kaguya’s varied emotions – from the joy of leading a modest life in a village to the suffocation of royal living to the emptiness on the moon devoid of emotions. It emphasizes the futility of materialistic aspirations that deprive humans of true happiness and our natural connection with the environment.

The Space In The Storyline

Ghibli films exhibit a storytelling philosophy influenced by the Japanese concept of ‘ma’, translating to ‘space’. At the heart of this concept is the principle of maintaining balance between action and inaction. Kaguya takes this concept further, focusing on the relatable and intimate details of Princess Kaguya’s life.

The use of ‘ma’ or empty spaces in the film resonates with Princess Kaguya’s emotional journey as she evolves. The motif of sharing slices of melon with a villager symbolizes the delight in simple joys. Similarly, experiencing remorse for how she spent her time as a human, evokes a sense of connect with the audience.

The Inner Void

Princess Kaguya’s yearning to lead a fulfilling human life forms the core of Kaguya. Forced to adhere to societal expectations and norms, Kaguya finds herself feeling empty. She rebels against societal norms and refuses to dilute her personality. However, as she is pushed into high society, she finds herself further away from her old life.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya questions conformity to societal norms at the cost of inhibiting our natural instincts. The film captures the essence of human existence, choosing a simple and fulfilling life over wealth and status.

The Cycle of Life

Despite not being able to go back to her old life, Princess Kaguya finds a beacon of hope in a conversation with a coal miner. The constant cycles of life and nature remind her that every end is a new beginning.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya draws a parallel between human existence and space. It shows how the void surrounding us can help us find our own path in life. Kaguya allows viewers to interpret the narrative in their own way, thereby providing a more enriching experience.

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is available to watch on Netflix