When people think of Japan's animation greats, auteurs like Miyazaki Hayao, Oshii Mamoru, and Tezuka Osamu easily come to mind. Though less well known overseas, Kihachiro Kawamoto is a name that surely belongs with the nation's best for his stunning work in stop motion puppet animation over the last four decades. After studying under both the legendary Mochinaga Tadahito and Czech maestro Jiri Trnka, Kihachiro developed his own individualistic style, drawing heavily from traditional Noh, Bunraku, and Kabuki theater for a haunting and uniquely Japanese aesthetic.
This English-subtitled release contains 11 of Kihachiro's short films, from 1968's Hana-Ori, his first work after returning from the Czech Republic, to 1999's Ibara Hime matawa Nemuri Hime. The collection covers both his signature puppet animation and kirigami (cut-out) animation, providing an essential collage of the master animator's visionary works.
Kihachiro Kawamoto Work Collection comes with the following shorts:
Hana-Ori ("Breaking of Branches is Forbidden") - 14min, 1968
Kenju Giga - 8min, 1970
Oni ("Demon") - 8min, 1972
Tabi Complete Version - 12min, 1973
Tabi Re-edited Version - 4min, 1973
Shijin no Shogai ("A Poet's Life") - 19min, 1974
Dojoji ("Dojoji Temple") - 19min, 1976
Kataku ("House of Flame") - 19min, 1979
Self-Portrait - 1min, 1988
Fusha no Sha ("To Shoot Without Shooting") - 25min, 1988
Ibara Hime matawa Nemuri Hime ("Briar Rose of The Sleeping Beauty") - 22min, 1999
© 2007-2009 YesAsia.com Ltd. All rights reserved.
This original content has been created by or licensed to YesAsia.com, and cannot be copied or republished in any medium without the express written permission of YesAsia.com.
Bookmark & Share