Taketori monogatari

The Taketori monogatari, or Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, is a 10th-century Japanese fairy tale. It tells the story of a princess who originates from the Moon and comes to Earth to live with a humble bamboo cutter. The tale humorously describes the fantastical tests she imposes on her suitors.1

This work is distinct from other Japanese literature of its time, such as religious tales or the more complex Utsubo monogatari. Unlike didactic works, Taketori monogatari focuses on its narrative and characters. It is considered one of the earliest examples of prose fiction in Japanese literature, predating the more famous The Tale of Genji.21