Archive

Pioneers of Japaneses Animation: From Tekobo to Momotaro

The Story of Songoku

Noburou OFUJI

Japan1926 5min 35mm B&W

Synopsis

The Ming dynasty Chinese novel Xi You Ji (Journey to the West) is transferred to cut-out animation. The rock monkey Songoku, trapped inside a rock is released by the Master Monk San Zhang and departs with Pa Jie (Piggy) and Sha Zheng (Sandy) to fight demons and monsters, and finally arrive in the West - present-day India - to obtain the Buddhist Scriptures. The originality of chiyogami (colored paper with woodblock printed patterns), used since the Edo period, in the costumes of the characters is worth noting.

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).