Princess Kaguya Unveiled: Language, Myth, and Translation in Japan’s Most Enduring Tale
Free Talk Event
September 24, 2026
The Tale of Princess Kaguya (Taketori monogatari) occupies a special place in Japanese culture. First appearing in about 909 CE, it was famously praised in the Tale of Genji (c. 1000) as the ‘ancestor of all tales’, and it remains the earliest known monogatari (tale) written in the Japanese language. For over a millennium, this fantastic story of feminine beauty, noble intrigue, lust, greed, and piety has inspired innumerable renditions, performances, Kabuki plays, paintings, musicals, and of course, manga and animated films. But never before has it been faithfully translated into English… until now. In fact, this talk will take place only days after the official release of the first unabridged and fully bilingual edition of the tale ever published (Tuttle Books). The translator, Matthew Stavros, will introduce the new book and take participants on a journey to explore the language, mythology, humour, and poetry that underpins this story’s universal appeal and its status as cultural icon.
Bring along the quiz you received at the film screening on the first day for a chance to win a prize*.
*Prizes are given to onsite attendees only.
Keywords
Literature, history, language, culture, art
DR MATTHEW STAVROS
Matthew Stavros is a historian of early Japan at the University of Sydney and a translator of Classical Japanese literature. He is the author of Kyoto: An Urban History of Japan’s Premodern Capital (2014) and the translator of Hōjōki: A Buddhist Reflection on Solitude, Imperfection and Transcendence (2024) and The Tale of Princess Kaguya (2026). His research focuses on the material culture of premodern Japan, with particular interest in cities, buildings, and religious monuments. He trained in architectural and urban history at Kyoto University and read history at Princeton University where he earned a PhD. www.mstavros.com
RELATED EVENT
EVENT DETAILS
September 24 (Thursday), 2026
6:00pm-7:30pm AEST
60min talk + Q&A + prize draw
Onsite & online via the JPF Sydney Facebook page
Free; bookings not required
Attend onsite, in-person or watch online.
Video via Facebook.
No account or login required.
Check link for a video from 6pm on the day.
*There will be no video recordings available.
IN-PERSON VENUE
The Japan Foundation, Sydney
Level 4, Central Park
28 Broadway, Chippendale NSW 2008
MORE INFO
Find out about this series – The Magic and Majesty of the Princess Kaguya: From Ghibli Film to Classical Literature.
ENQUIRIES
(02) 8239 0055
Header Image:
© Reginald Jackson 2026
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