Urashima Taro: A review and recommendation of a modern anime that depicts inspiration and lessons

Urashima Taro

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Traditional literature

■ Release date

1929

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 2

■ Production

・Manufacturer: Kuwano Shokai

■Explanation

This is a film adaptation of the story of Urashima Taro, which is found in the Ministry of Education's national reading book, using puppets. It is unclear whether this puppet film was made using strings or shot in stills. Source: "History of Japanese Animation Films," co-authored by Yamaguchi Katsunori and Watanabe Yasushi, edited by Planet, p. 200

■ Main staff

・Manufacturer: Kuwano Shokai ・Inventor: Mori Seien

Urashima Taro - Detailed evaluation and recommendation of Urashima Taro

Urashima Taro is a traditional Japanese folk tale, and the story is familiar to many Japanese people. "Urashima Taro - Urashima Taro", released in 1929, is a film adaptation of this legendary tale as a puppet show, produced by Kuwano Shokai. The film was based on the national reading book by the Ministry of Education, and had educational value at the time.

Story Summary

The story of Urashima Taro is about a young man who saves a turtle in the sea, and is taken by the turtle to Ryugu-jo Palace to express his gratitude. There, he meets Princess Otohime, and they spend a happy time together, but he eventually decides to return to his hometown. Princess Otohime gives him a box, telling him not to open it, and he takes it home with him. However, when he returns home, hundreds of years have passed and his family and friends have already passed away. He ends up opening the box and turns into a white-haired old man, a tragic ending.

Characteristics of puppet theater

This work was produced as a puppet show, and the technology of the time was used to tell the story. Because it is difficult to reproduce realistic movements and facial expressions in puppet shows, ingenuity was required to express the progression of the story and emotions. In particular, the scene in which Urashima Taro rides a turtle across the sea and the glamorous party scene in Ryugu-jo Castle play an important role in creating a visual impact. In addition, the movements of the puppets and the colors of the background are used skillfully to express the sadness and despair that Urashima Taro feels after returning to his hometown.

Technical evaluation

In 1929, filmmaking using puppetry was still a new venture, and there were likely many technical challenges. In particular, the movements of the puppets using strings and the scene changes using stop-gap photography are areas that show the ingenuity of the technicians of the time. Additionally, the music and sound effects that matched the progression of the story are also highly regarded as important elements that complement the visual expression.

Educational value

The work also has educational value, as it is based on a national reader published by the Ministry of Education. The story of Urashima Taro has been used as a teaching material to teach the spirit of mutual help and understanding of the passage of time. This film adaptation has also been used as a way to teach moral lessons to children through stories. In particular, the scene where Urashima Taro rescues the turtle and his interactions with Princess Otohime teach the importance of compassion and gratitude.

Cultural influences

The story of Urashima Taro is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and has influenced many works of art and media. This film adaptation is one of those works, and it must have made a strong impression on audiences at the time. The story of Urashima Taro is also known overseas, and this film may have played a role in spreading traditional Japanese folk tales around the world.

Recommendations and ratings

"Urashima Taro" was a technically challenging work in 1929, and a work of educational value that would have deeply touched audiences at the time. It is particularly worthy of praise for its expressive puppetry, and for the use of music and sound effects that match the progression of the story. Furthermore, the moral lesson conveyed through the story of Urashima Taro will resonate with many people even today.

Here are some reasons why I recommend this work:

• It is a work of historical value, being a film adaptation of a traditional Japanese folk tale as a puppet show.
• It shows the technical challenges and ingenuity of the time.
• It has educational value and was used as a means to impart moral lessons to children.
• It is a story that is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and resonates with many people.

"Urashima Taro" is a work that combines historical and educational value, and is definitely one that you should see at least once. This work, which expresses a traditional Japanese folk tale as a puppet show, will give you a visual impact and a deep sense of the story. Furthermore, through the story of Urashima Taro, you will be able to deepen your understanding of the spirit of mutual help and the flow of time.

Related works and recommendations

The story of Urashima Taro has been featured in many media outlets. Below, we will introduce works related to Urashima Taro or works with the same theme.

• Urashima Taro (animated film) - An animated film released in 1984. It is a modern adaptation of the story of Urashima Taro, and can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
• Urashima Taro (picture book) - Many picture books have been published and are used as a way to tell the story of Urashima Taro to children. In particular, "Urashima Taro" by Miyoko Matsutani tells the story with beautiful pictures and easy-to-understand text.
• Momotaro (animated film) - An animated version of the story of Momotaro, a traditional Japanese folk tale like Urashima Taro. The film has themes of mutual help and courage, which are themes shared with Urashima Taro.
• The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (Animated film) - Studio Ghibli's The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter is a beautifully animated adaptation of a traditional Japanese folk tale. Like Urashima Taro, it explores themes of time and human relationships.

These works are also related to the story and theme of Urashima Taro, so be sure to check them out. Traditional Japanese folk tales have the power to move and sympathize with many people. Among them, "Urashima Taro" is a work that combines historical and educational value, and is one that you should definitely see at least once.