The moving and moral lessons of "Kasajizo": Evaluation and recommendation of a classic anime that is still relevant today

"Kasajizo": The charm of a puppet film that brings to life Tohoku folk tales

■Overview of the work

"Kasajizo" is a Japanese puppet film released in 1960, based on a folk tale from the Tohoku region. Produced by Gakken Film Bureau and Masaru Furuoka, the film manages to convey deep emotion and moral lessons in a short 11-minute run. It was released in theaters, and its original story is a fairy tale.

■ Story

The story of "Kasajizo" is about a poor old couple. In the harsh cold of winter, they decide to throw away their only possession, their umbrella. However, the umbrella turns into "Kasajizo" and helps the old couple. It is a heartwarming story. This folktale depicts the spirit of mutual help and gratitude, and deeply moves viewers.

■Production Background

"Kasajizo" was produced with the cooperation of Gakken Film Division and Furuoka Masaru. Hara Masatsugu and Yamamoto Hideo were in charge of planning, and Ito Haruo was in charge of production. The screenplay was written by Ono Go, the direction was by Watanabe Ryuhei, and the cinematography and lighting were by Satake Soichi and Yagi Shojiro. The music was by Ichiba Kosuke, the puppets and sets were by Sasaki Akira, and the animation was by Inoue Masako and Wada Kyoko. This teamwork contributed to the high quality of the work.

■Cast

The voice actor for "Kasajizo" was Jukichi Uno. His warm voice realistically expresses the kindness and suffering of the elderly couple, adding depth to the story. Jukichi Uno's acting is an important element that further enhances the moving impact of the work.

■ Evaluation and impact

Despite its short running time, "Kasajizo" continues to be loved by many people. Based on a folk tale from the Tohoku region, this work portrays traditional Japanese values ​​and culture, inspiring a wide range of generations from children to adults. In addition, the expressive power of the puppet film format combines visual beauty with narrative depth.

■ Recommendation points

I recommend "Kasa Jizo" for the following reasons:

• A heartwarming story : The interaction between the poor elderly couple and "Kasajizo" will warm the hearts of viewers. This story, which depicts the spirit of mutual help and gratitude, is perfect for watching with the whole family.
• Beautiful puppet animation : The puppets and sets by Akira Sasaki, and the animation by Masako Inoue and Kyoko Wada are visually stunning, especially in the scenes depicting the harshness of winter.
• Traditional Japanese Culture : Based on folk tales from the Tohoku region, this work portrays traditional Japanese values ​​and culture. A must-see for anyone interested in Japanese culture.
• A short film that will move you deeply : in just 11 minutes, this film conveys deep emotions and teaches a lesson, making it a great choice for busy modern people.

■ Detailed production information

Kasajizo was produced in cooperation with Gakken Film Division and Furuoka Masaru. It was planned by Hara Masatsugu and Yamamoto Hideo, and produced by Ito Haruo. The screenplay was written by Ono Go, the direction was by Watanabe Ryuhei, and the cinematography and lighting were by Satake Soichi and Yagi Shojiro. The music was by Ichiba Kosuke, the puppets and sets were by Sasaki Akira, and the animation was by Inoue Masako and Wada Kyoko. This teamwork contributed to the high quality of the work.

■ Related works

Like "Kasa Jizo," the following puppet films are based on Japanese folk tales.

• Urashima Taro : A puppet film based on a famous Japanese folk tale, depicting the adventures and morals of Urashima Taro.
• "Momotaro" : A puppet animation depicting the adventures of Momotaro, known as the tale of defeating demons.
• "The Tongue-Cut Sparrow" : A puppet film based on a folk tale depicting the consequences of good and evil deeds.

■How to watch

"Kasajizo" is now available on DVD and online streaming services. It is a must-see for anyone interested in traditional Japanese animation and puppet movies. Watching it with your family is also a great opportunity to introduce Japanese culture and values ​​to your children.

Conclusion

"Kasajizo" is a heartwarming puppet film based on a folk tale from the Tohoku region. In just 11 minutes, this film conveys deep emotion and a moral lesson, and is loved by a wide range of generations, from children to adults. This film, which depicts beautiful puppet animation and traditional Japanese culture, is a must-see. It is a film that can be deeply moving in a short amount of time, and is recommended for busy modern people.