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Pioneers of Japaneses Animation: From Tekobo to Momotaro

Ponsuke in Springtime

Ikuo OISHI

Japan1934 7min 16mm B&W

Synopsis

The raccoon Ponsuke is singing the nursery rhyme ‘Snow, please fall’ while digging a hole in the snow. He digs some bamboo sprouts out from the hole and brings them home. Together with his parents he peels them off to find they are empty inside. Suddenly the bamboo sheaths transform into Bamboo father and son, and they spout out snow. Thanks to that, the raccoon family suddenly becomes snowmen, and runs after the bamboo family. Spring is soon here.

Diretor

Ikuo OISHI

After making an animated chocolate ad, he started producing animations in full. During World War ¥±, he also made training films for the Japanese navy. Among his main works are Two Suns (1929), The Mouse House-sits (1931), and Ponsuke in Springtime (1934).