Original Story
The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter containing elements of Japanese folklore. Written by an unknown author in the late 9th or early 10th century during the Heian period, it is considered the oldest surviving work in the "monogatari" Story form.
The story details the life of Kaguya-hime, a princess from the Moon who is discovered as a baby inside the stalk of a glowing bamboo plant. After she grows, her beauty attracts five suitors seeking her hand in marriage, whom she turns away by challenging them each with an impossible task; she later attracts the affection of the Emperor of Japan. At the tale's end, Kaguya-hime reveals her celestial origins and returns to the Moon. The story is also known as The Tale of Princess Kaguya.
My APPROACH
The portrayal of a person's life: the Earth represents the present world, while the act of forgetting all suffering and earthly experiences to return to the 'Pure Land of the Moon' symbolizes rebirth after death. The princess's crime and punishment can be understood as humanity's profound inquiry into life and death, a reflection on the nature of beauty and ugliness in the world, and an exploration of the meaning of existence. This serves to outline the conflict between two worldviews: one that engages with the world and one that seeks to transcend it.
This Allows everyone to understand that as people gradually grow up, they experience the pains of growth while being shaped by societal systems. They taste the regrets of missed opportunities, sometimes finding themselves lost in struggles for identity, and at other times making compromises. However, since we only live once, we should strive to live life to the fullest.
Here I created and designed a conceptual poster for the opera, visualizing the overall atmosphere. The poster incorporates the core themes of "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya," blending traditional and modern elements to capture attention. The soft moonlight and mysterious bamboo forest serve as the backdrop, complemented by delicate Japanese textures and elegant calligraphic fonts, conveying the cultural depth of the story. Additionally, the use of deep reds and gold accents symbolises Kaguya's otherworldliness and the timeless allure of the narrative. The poster aims to establish a visual experience that harmonizes dreaminess and elegance, setting an artistic tone for the opera.
