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Pioneers of Japaneses Animation: From Tekobo to Momotaro

Benkei vs. Ushiwaka

Kenzou MASAOKA

Japan1939 13min 16mm B&W

Synopsis

An animation based on a childhood episode of the late Heian general Yositsune Minamoto. Ushiwaka faces the giant Benkei on the Gojo Bridge in Kyoto. Benkei is contending his swordsmanship to collect a thousand swords. The voice of Benkei is that of the director himself, while the voice of Ushiwaka is that of his wife.

Diretor

Kenzou MASAOKA

Kenzou Masaoka was studying Japanese and Western painting when he started filming. He produced his first animation Nonsense Story: Island of Monkeys in 1930. In 1932, he made the first talkie animation The World of Power and Woman at the request of Shochiku, and in 1934 he used cel animation on a full-scale in The Dance of the Chagama’s to produce a higher quality of work. Among his main works are Forest Baseball Team(1934), Forest Fairy(1935), Benkei vs. Ushiwaka(1939), and Sakura (Spring Fantasy)(1946).