The appeal and evaluation of "Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man": A new masterpiece of Minna no Uta

"What is this Furoshiki Man?" - The appeal of Minna no Uta and its background

"Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man" is a short 2-minute animated work that was broadcast on NHK Educational TV (now NHK E-Tele) in December 2007. This work was produced as part of NHK's long-running program "Minna no Uta" and has been loved by children. Here, we will introduce in detail the appeal and background of this work, as well as the story leading up to its production.

Overview

As you can tell from the fact that the original media of "Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man" is "other," it is an original work based on its own story and characters. It was broadcast in December 2007 and is a short episode consisting of only one episode. It was produced by animator Tatsuhisa Nomura, and the copyright is owned by NHK.

Story and Characters

The story of "Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man" is simple, with a furoshiki (wrapping cloth) playing the main role as "Furoshiki Man." Furoshiki Man is a hero who solves problems and helps the people around him by wrapping up various objects. This work aims not only to teach children how to use furoshiki and how useful they are, but also to foster the courage and creativity to face difficulties.

The character designs are a testament to Tatsuhisa Nomura's unique touch. Furoshiki Man's design incorporates the patterns of furoshiki cloths, making the viewer feel a sense of familiarity. The backgrounds and other characters are also colorful, and are designed to attract children's attention.

Background

"Minna no Uta" is a music program that has been broadcast on NHK since 1961, and has provided education and entertainment through songs for children. "Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man" was produced as part of this program, and aims to teach children about the culture of furoshiki and how to use them.

For the production, Tatsuhisa Nomura's unique animation style was chosen. Nomura has worked on numerous children's animations, and his experience and skills are utilized in this work. In particular, hand-drawn animation was used to express the movement and transformation of the furoshiki, and the production was painstaking.

Music and lyrics

The music of "Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man" features a melody and rhythm that is familiar to children. The lyrics, while describing the adventures of Furoshiki Man, teach how to use furoshiki and its usefulness. The music and lyrics were written by NHK's music staff, and the song was designed to be fun and educational for children.

Audience reactions and impact

"Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man" was very popular with children when it was first broadcast. In particular, Furoshiki Man's unique character and storyline captured the hearts of children, giving them the opportunity to actually try using furoshiki. The parent generation also praised it as a "good opportunity to teach children about the nostalgic culture of furoshiki," and it is remembered as a show that the whole family could enjoy.

This work can be viewed on the NHK official website and on video sharing sites such as YouTube, and is still loved by many people today. In particular, in today's world where the eco-friendly properties of furoshiki are attracting attention, opportunities for reevaluation are on the rise.

Behind-the-scenes stories and episodes

There are many anecdotes about the production of "Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man." In particular, it is well known that Tatsuhisa Nomura underwent repeated trial and error in order to realistically express the movement of the furoshiki. It is extremely difficult to reproduce the texture and movement of furoshiki fabric in animation, so Nomura conducted repeated experiments using actual furoshiki and reflected the results in the animation.

In the process of creating the music, we also held multiple rehearsals so that children would enjoy singing along. Children's opinions were also taken into account when adjusting the lyrics and melody, resulting in a more familiar piece.

Related works and recommendations

There are many other fascinating animations that were broadcast on Minna no Uta, just like Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man. For example, there are other works such as Grandpa's Old Clock, also produced by Tatsuhisa Nomura, and the popular character "GalaPicoPu" series from Okaasan to Issho. These works are also masterpieces that continue to be loved by children.

For those who are interested in the culture of furoshiki and how it is used, we also recommend the book "The Magic of Furoshiki." This book provides a detailed explanation of the history, usage, and eco-friendly characteristics of furoshiki. By reading it together with "Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man," you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of the appeal of furoshiki.

summary

"Nan no Koreshiki Furoshiki Man" was produced as part of NHK's "Minna no Uta" program to teach children about the culture of furoshiki and its usefulness. Combining Tatsuhisa Nomura's unique animation style with music that children can easily relate to, this work has been loved by many people since it was first broadcast, and its appeal is being reevaluated even today. In today's world, where the eco-friendly properties of furoshiki are attracting attention, there are more opportunities for them to be noticed again. We hope you will rediscover the charm of furoshiki through this work.