A programme of some of Kihachiro Kawamoto’ finest short films.
- Self Portrait
(1988, 1.30 mins)
An introduction to Kihachiro Kawamoto.
- The Demon (Oni)
(1970, 8 mins)
Inspired by a ghost story from the eleventh-century anthology of Japanese myths and legends Konjaku monogatari, The Demon tells the story of two hunters who live with their aged mother. With its plain black backdrops and minimalist designs, it draws upon the pared-down style of traditional Bunraku puppet presentations and the masked Noh theatre, to chilling effect.
- House of Flame (Kataku)
(1979, 19 mins)
Based on the Noh play Motomezuka- the Seeker’s Mound, this tells the story of a young woman named Unai-Otome who is loved by two men. Not knowing which to choose, in anguish, she chose death. But although her intentions were pure, not even the grave brought the respite she longed for from her earthly dilemma.
- To Shoot Without Shooting (Fusha no sha)
(1988, 25 mins)
Based on the story Meijin-den by Atsushi Nakajima (1909-1942), this work is set in ancient China telling the tale of a young Chinese archer’s trials to reach the pinnacle of his field. Made at the end of the Cold War, it’s not hard to detect the pacifist message in this beautifully rendered fable.
- Briar-Rose, or the Sleeping Beauty (Ibarahime mata manemurihime)
(1990, 22 mins)
For this exquisite yet unconventional fairytale based on a story written by Japan’s top screen siren of the 60s Kyoko Kishida, Kawamoto returned to Trnka’s animation studio in Prague. A young princess reaches her fifteenth birthday and discovers a diary written by her mother when she was the same age, telling of a secret paramour who dwelt deep in the forest surrounding the palace. Entering the woods during a heavy rain storm, the princess has a life-changing encounter