“While Japanese animation is popularly known today as anime, its beginnings go back nearly 100 years when it was simply called manga eiga (manga films). Evolving from visual forms such as manga and kamishibai (picture card storytelling), Japan’s animated films brought drawings to life, freely mixing folktales and stories with modern, Western elements.”
The Japan Society is currently hosting the Globus Film Series: Dawn of Japanese Animation, February 13 thru February 16. Unfortunately I found out about this event mid-way.
“Screened for the first time in the U.S. with English subtitles, these short animations will be presented each night in four differing themes, matched with a silent live-action film of the same genre and era. Travel back in time to experience silent films as they were once presented in prewar Japan! Silent films presented with live narration with Japan’s premiere benshi, Midori Sawato.”
Here is the schedule:
This past Wednesday (Part 1) featured the screening of films in the Chambara Action & Adventure genre. Yesterday (Part 2), focused on films in the Horror & Comedy comedy realm.
Part 3: Propaganda, is showing Friday, February 15, starting at 7pm The evening will screen 11 animations and 1 live-action film (Mother of the Nation (1936), silent w/ live narration. Directed by Shiro Nakagawa)
The animations to be screened include:
The National Anthem Kimigayo (1931), by Noburo Ofuji
Momotaro's Sky Adventure (1931), by Yasuji Murata
Momotaro's Underwater Adventure (1932), by Yasuji Murata
Corporal Norakuro (1934), by Yasuji Murata
2nd Lieutenant Norakuro Sunday Magic, Creator unknown
Sankichi the Monkey: The Storm Troopers(1934), by Mitsuyo Seo
The Monkey Fleet (1936), by Manzo Miyashita
Mabo's Big Race (1936), Creator unknown
Sankichi the Monkey: The Air Combat (1942), by Yoshitaro Kataoka
Dankichi on a Tropical Island, Creator unknown
The Animal Village in Trouble, by Sanae Yamamoto
Part 4: Music & Dance, is Saturday, February 16, starting at 5pm
The evening will showcase 9 animations and 1 live-action musical (Singing Lovebirds (1939), Directed by Masahiro Makino). There will also be a special screening of Orochi, directed by Buntaro Futagawa at 7:30 pm
This is the line up of animations for Saturday evening:
The Black Cat (1929), by Noburo Ofuji
The Stolen Lump (1929), by Yasuji Murata
Harvest Festival (1930) by Noburo Ofuji
Taro Urashima, by Manzo Miyashita
The Unlucky Butterfly, Creator unknown
Home Alone Mice (1931), by Ikuo Oishi
Spring Song (1931), by Noburo Ofuji
Belly Drum Dance at Shojoji by Ikuo Oishi
The Bear Dodger (1948), by Noburo Ofuji
Tickets cost $10 or $4.50 for students. (images shown © Matsuda Film Production and Digital Meme)
Here are a couple of other vintage Japanese animations, courtesy of You Tube:
