Prince Kuramochi ranks among five noble suitors competing for Princess Kaguya's hand in marriage. As Japanese aristocracy, he must retrieve a mythical treasure to prove his worth: a jeweled branch from the legendary paradise island of Hōrai—an inherently impossible quest.

Avoiding the journey, Kuramochi instead commissions skilled artisans to craft a counterfeit branch. He presents this meticulously forged imitation to Kaguya as the genuine artifact. His deceit collapses when the craftsmen arrive at her residence demanding payment, publicly exposing the branch as a fabrication. This revelation destroys his credibility and underscores his dishonorable methods.

The original folktale assigns Kuramochi the same quest and failure, emphasizing its impossibility over his deception. The film adaptation reimagines his actions as deliberate fraud. His character epitomizes the collective insincerity of Kaguya’s suitors, whose pursuits stem from superficial desire rather than authentic devotion.