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Pioneers of Japaneses Animation: From Tekobo to Momotaro

Open Sesami

Noburou OFUJI

Japan1955 10min 16mm B&W

Synopsis

This is the animated version of ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’ from The Arabian Nights, but the period is old Japan. The leader of the bandits hides their plundered gold in a cave. Our hero, Dango Bee, notices this and returns the gold to the rightful owners.

Diretor

Noburou OFUJI

Noburou Ofuji learned the art of animation from Smikatsu Kouchi. He took a great interest in developing various methods, such as applying chiyogami(colored paper with woodblock-printed patterns) in his works, and also making talkies and color films. Among his main works are The Golden Flower(1929), The Frog Musketeers(1933), Chinkoroheihei and the Treasure Box(1936), Dream of Snowing Night(1947), and Flower and Butterfly(1954).