Japanese celestial-maiden tale, Davis retelling
Robe of Feathers
A fisherman finds a robe of white feathers hanging on a pine tree and refuses its owner's request to return it. The maiden explains that she cannot reach her celestial home without it and offers to dance. Once the fisherman restores the garment, she performs and rises into the sky while singing of the Moon.
Also known as Ha-Goromo · Hagoromo · Moon-Lady's feather robe
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In the sources
A garment necessary for return
TraditionalThe maiden says the robe is necessary for returning to her celestial home and for dancing. The fisherman initially regards it as a treasure he intends to keep.
Restoration followed by performance and ascent
TraditionalAfter the maiden challenges his distrust, the fisherman returns the robe. She dances, plays and sings, then rises through the air toward the Palace of the Moon.
Context & interpretation
This entry concerns the Robe of Feathers episode in Davis's Chapter VIII, not the Feather Robe that removes Kaguya's earthly memory in Chapter III. The shared garment motif does not establish that they are the same object or story.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths and Legends of Japan
I cannot go soaring into the sky without my robe of feathersOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Chapter VIII, printed p. 128
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0144
- Original scan leaf
- 164
- Recorded leaf number
- 164
- Current Reader position
- 143
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths and Legends of Japan
he gave the maiden her robe of feathers.Open this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Chapter VIII, printed p. 129
Read directly from the active prepared scan; line breaks and spacing normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0052-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0052-E001-P0145
- Original scan leaf
- 165
- Recorded leaf number
- 165
- Current Reader position
- 144
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed