Yasukuri Ichikawa
Directing
Biography
Ichikawa Yasukuri was a Japanese director associated with the educational animation productions created by the publisher Gakken during the 1970s. His work focused on puppet animation, a technique that in Japan is usually classified as “ningyō animēshon.” Within that framework, he developed short adaptations of traditional European and Japanese tales, designed for use in schools and for the audiovisual education of children.
Known For
A stop-motion animation about sisters doing chores. One of them falls into a well and gets transported to a wonderland trying to retrieve a pail. There she helps the various creatures in wonderland and receives rewards. Upon returning home the other sister is jealous and tries the same but is rude and helps no one out of her selfishness.
The Mysterious Well
A stop-motion film adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid.
The Little Mermaid
A traditional Japanese fable telling of a kind old man, his avaricious wife and an injured sparrow. The story explores the effects of greed, friendship and jealousy on the characters.