Synopsis
A short movie produced by Yasuji Murata. Based on the Japanese fairy tale Hanasaka Jiijii, also called Hanasaka Jiisan. A kind old man and his wife dig up the ground where their dog is barking, and find koban (oval gold coins formerly used in Japan) there.
Additional Information
Background
(Source: animation.filmarchives.jp)The 28th of the Athena Film Library educational film series produced by Yokohama Cinema Shokai. A 35mm version and a 16mm version were released. The existing print is a 16mm Sakura Graph version released by Konishiroku Honten. The 35mm original version is one 375 meter reel and lasts 14 min. (24fps). This film is a considerably shortened version. The outline of the story provided at the time suggests that in addition to intertitles, several elements are missing from this version, including a scene in which a pet dog chases a black cat and a story about how the Blossom Man earns his reputation. (Source: animation.filmarchives.jp)