Kihachiro Kawamoto

Directing

Kihachiro Kawamoto

Born January 11, 1925 · Tokyo, Japan

Died August 23, 2010 · aged 85

Kihachirō Kawamoto (川本 喜八郎) was a Japanese puppet designer and maker, independent film director, screenwriter and animator and president of the Japan Animation Association from 1989, succeeding founder Osamu Tezuka, until his own death. He is best-remembered in Japan as designer of the puppets for the long-running NHK live action television series of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms in the early …

Known For

Briar-Rose or the Sleeping BeautyBriar-Rose or the Sleeping Beauty · 1990
Briar-Rose or the Sleeping Beauty
6.41990
MovieAnimationFantasy
On her fifteenth birthday the princess finds a diary written by her mother when she was young. The diary tells of the Queen's secret, early love. The Princess goes into the forest to meet her mother's former lover. When she looks into his eyes, she realizes why her mother had fallen in love...
Winter DaysWinter Days · 2003
Winter Days
6.02003
MovieAnimation
An animated film based on one of the renku (collaborative linked poems) in the 1684 collection of the same name by the 17th-century Japanese poet Bashō. The creation of the film followed the traditional collaborative nature of the source material – the visuals for each of the 36 stanzas were independently created by 35 different animators. As well as many Japanese animators, Kawamoto assembled leading names in animation from across the world. Each animator was asked to contribute at least 30 seconds to illustrate their stanza, and most of the sequences are under a minute (Yuriy Norshteyn's, though, is nearly two minutes long).
To Shoot Without ShootingTo Shoot Without Shooting · 1988
To Shoot Without Shooting
7.11988
MovieAnimationDrama
Ji Chang wants to be the best archer in the world. He seeks out a master who is able, at a distance, to shoot a single leaf off a tree. Over several years, the apprentice studies with the master. Finally, after mastering the techniques, as well as his own ambition, he sets off for the mountains, home of a legendary master of archery...
The Restaurant of Many OrdersThe Restaurant of Many Orders · 1991
The Restaurant of Many Orders
6.41991
MovieAnimationFantasy
A short film based on a story by Japanese writer Kenji Miyazawa in which two young British hunters get lost in the woods and discover a strange restaurant. Are the hunters about to discover how it feels to be hunted?
Dojoji TempleDojoji Temple · 1976
Dojoji Temple
6.31976
MovieAnimationFantasy
Anchin, a young monk on a pilgrimage with his master, asks the widow Kiyohime to stay the night. The widow falls in love with him but he rejects her, lying that he will return.
Rennyo and His MotherRennyo and His Mother · 1981
Rennyo and His Mother
9.01981
MovieAnimation
Rennyo was the key figure responsible for the restoration of Shin Buddhism in Japan, in particular the Honganji lineage that had a slump in its fortunes during the Middle Ages. According to the legend, his motivation was a pivotal childhood incident at the age of six when his mother summoned him and told him about his destiny to revive the fortunes of the Honganji school to which he was the next in line. She then mysteriously disappeared from the temple. Taking her words to heart, from a background of great poverty and hardship, at the age of 16 he set out to spread the word across the land.
The DemonThe Demon · 1972
The Demon
6.31972
MovieAnimationDrama
Two brothers, who are both hunters and live with their mother, go to the mountains to set traps for deer. Suddenly, a demon grabs the younger brother. The older brother shoots an arrow, severing the demon's arm, which they plan to take home. But they make a grisly discovery on the journey home.
House of FlamesHouse of Flames · 1979
House of Flames
5.81979
MovieAnimationDrama
Through puppets and animation, a traveler tells his story of walking through Settsu, coming to the town of Ikuta. He asks if someone can show him the Seeker's Mound. Late that day, a solitary maiden says she will lead him there.

Filmography

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