The appeal and evaluation of the manga "Hanasaki Jiji": A moving story and the depth of its characters

"Hanasaki Jiji": A masterpiece animation where tradition and innovation intersect

Introduction

Released in July 1928, "Hanasaki Old Man" is an animated film based on a traditional Japanese fairy tale, and is highly regarded for its historical and artistic value. This work was produced as part of the educational film series "Athena Library," and succeeded in telling the entire story in a short 20-minute length. In this article, we will provide detailed information about "Hanasaki Old Man" and explain its appeal from various angles, as well as provide an evaluation and recommendation from a modern perspective.

Overview

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Traditional literature

■ Release date

July 1928

■Distribution company

Educational film series "Athena Library" Part 28

■Frequencies

20 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Chuzo Aochi

■ Director

・Manga by Yasuji Murata

■ Production

Produced by Yokohama Cinema Company Supervised by Chuzo Aoji Cinematography by Yukiki Ueno

story

"The Old Man Who Made Flowers Bloom" is based on a fairy tale about a poor old man who obtains a seed with magical powers and attains wealth by planting it. The old man plants the seed and overnight a large tree grows that bears gold, silver and treasures. However, when his greedy neighbor tries to do the same, he fails. The story conveys a moral lesson through the contrast between good and bad deeds.

Background

"Hanasaki Old Man" was produced as part of the educational film series "Athena Library." The series aims to teach morality and knowledge to children, and "Hanasaki Old Man" was produced as part of that series. The original story was written by Chuzo Aochi, who also supervised the film adaptation to ensure that the story was faithful to its original form. The animation was by Yasuji Murata, the photography was by Yukikiyo Ueno, and the film was produced by Yokohama Cinema Shokai.

Animation Technology

Considering the historical context of 1928, the animation techniques used in "Hanasaki Jiji" were extremely advanced. At the time, it was still the era of silent films, and animation was mostly hand-drawn. Murata Yasuji's drawings are meticulously drawn down to the smallest detail, bringing the characters' expressions and movements to life. Ueno Yukikiyo's cinematography was also praised, highlighting the beauty of the images.

Music and sound effects

"Hanasaki Jiji" is a silent film, and music and sound effects were typically performed live during the screening. However, in later remastered versions, classical music and sound effects were added to recreate the atmosphere of the time. This allows the emotional ups and downs that accompany the story to be conveyed more clearly.

Character Analysis

The characters in "Hanasaki Jiji" follow traditional fairy tale elements while still having their own unique charm. The protagonist, the old man, is portrayed as a good and hardworking person, evoking sympathy from the audience. Meanwhile, the greedy old man next door conveys a moral lesson by depicting the consequences of evil deeds. Through these characters, the contrast between good and evil is clearly drawn.

Cultural influences

"Hanasaki Old Man" is a pioneering work that uses the new medium of animation to tell a traditional Japanese fairy tale, and its cultural impact is great. Not only does it teach moral lessons to children, it also expands the possibilities of the art form of animation. It was also made as part of an educational film series, and was widely used in educational settings.

Modern evaluation

Even from a modern perspective, "Hanasaki Old Man" is highly regarded for its artistic and historical value. In particular, considering the evolution of animation technology, it is astonishing that such quality was achieved in 1928. Furthermore, the story's universal themes resonate with modern audiences. Furthermore, the silent film format gives it a fresh feel, reaffirming the importance of visual expression.

Recommendations and how to watch

I highly recommend "Hanasaki Jiji" to anyone who wants to learn about the history of animation or enjoy traditional fairy tales. It is also recommended for parents and educators who want to teach moral lessons to children. In terms of viewing options, the remastered version is available on DVD and online streaming services, so I recommend using those. In particular, the remastered version, which adds classical music and sound effects, enhances the appeal of the story even more.

Related works and recommendations

After enjoying "Hanasaki Jiji," we recommend watching other animations based on traditional Japanese fairy tales. For example, "Momotaro" and "Urashima Taro" were also produced as part of the educational film series "Athena Library," and are also works with historical and artistic value. In addition, we recommend modern animations such as Studio Ghibli's "My Neighbor Totoro" and "Spirited Away." These works combine visual beauty and deep themes by arranging traditional fairy tale elements in a modern way.

summary

"Hanasaki Old Man" is a pioneering work that uses the new medium of animation to express a traditional Japanese fairy tale, and is highly regarded for its artistic and historical value. The universal theme of the story and the high level of animation technology achieved in 1928 make a strong impression on modern audiences. Please watch this masterpiece and experience its charm.