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Pioneers of Japaneses Animation: From Tekobo to Momotaro

Princess Kaguya

Kazugorou ARAI

Japan1942 18min 16mm B&W

Synopsis

Based on the ‘Taketori monogatari (The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter)’, written in the early Heian period, Princess Kaguya is a very lyrical silhouette animation. The heroine is pretty Kaguya Hime (“Radiant Princess”), born inside a bamboo tree.

Diretor

Kazugorou ARAI

While working as a dentist, Kazugorou Arai made a 9.5mm silhouette animation with his friend Nakaya Tobishi as a pastime. The Golden Hook,a magnificent silhouette animation made in 1939, marked his start as a professional animation producer. Among his main works are The Fantasy of Madame Butterfly(1940), Jack and the Bean Stalk(1941), Princess Kaguya(1942), and Thumbelina(1947).