Katsudou Shashin
- Format
- MOVIE
- Episodes
- 1
- Status
- Finished
The film consists of a series of cartoon images on fifty frames of a celluloid strip and lasts three seconds at sixteen frames per second. It depicts a young boy in a sailor suit who writes the kanji characters "活動写真" (katsudou shashin, or "moving picture"), then turns towards the viewer, removes his hat, and offers a salute. The fragment was discovered in 2005, having been purchased with a private collection in Kyoto. The film was likely created between 1905 and 1911. If so, the film may be the oldest known piece of animation from Japan.
Synopsis from AniList
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Where it came from
Katsudou Shashin, widely considered the oldest known work of Japanese animation, is a short, three-second film loop dating back to the early 20th century. It consists of fifty frames of celluloid strips featuring a young boy in a sailor suit writing the kanji characters for 'moving picture' on a chalkboard before doffing his hat. The film was discovered in 2005 in a private household in Kyoto, marking a significant milestone in the study of early Japanese cinematic history.
The creator of the film remains unidentified, though it is believed to have been produced for a private collector of optical toys rather than for mass commercial distribution. Its design reflects the influence of the Western magic lantern and phenakistiscope, utilizing hand-stenciled red and black colors to create a stuttering, rhythmic motion. While its lack of a formal release or studio backing meant it went largely unnoticed by contemporary critics, its discovery has since redefined the timeline of the Japanese animation industry.
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