3. Kaguyahime's Tasks

When the sun set, the men gathered outside. They were singing songs, or whistling, all the while beating time with their fans. The old man went out and spoke to them.

"I'm so embarrassed that you've taken the trouble to spend all these months at this unpleasant place. I have told her, of course, that I don't know how much longer I'll live, and would like her to please consider you kind young men and choose one of you. She said she didn't know which of you was the best or worst, so if one of you would bring her the thing she asks for, she would know you were sincere, and decide on that basis. I thught that would be good. I hope that will be all right with you."

All five said that would be good. The old man went in and told her, and she gave her instructions.

• "Tell Prince Ishizukuri there is something called Buddha's stone bowl. I would like him to bring it.
• "Tell Prince Kuramochi that in the eastern sea there is a mountain called Horai. On the mountain are trees with silver roots, golden trunks and branches, and with white jewels for fruit. I would like him to break off a branch and bring it to me.
• "Please tell the next one to bring me the hide of a fire rat from China.
• "Tell Councillor Otomo to bring me the five-colored jewel from a dragon's head.
• "Tell Middle Councilor Isonokami to get me a cowrie shell brought by a swallow."

"Those are difficult tasks. None of those things are in this country. I can't tell them such hard things."

"Are they so difficult?" (1)

The old man decided to go ahead and give the men the tasks. He went out and told them what she had asked them to do. When the princes and ministers heard the tasks, it seemed to them she just wanted them to stop coming to here home. Disappointed, they returned to their own houses.