A Brief History of Japanese Cinema

Summary

This video script traces the evolution of Japanese cinema, beginning with the Dutch introduction of the magic lantern in the 17th century and progressing through the influence of Western films in the early 1900s. The rise of benshi narrators and the silent film era in Japan is explored, followed by the challenges faced during wartime and post-war American occupation. Key figures such as Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune emerge, marking the Golden Age of Japanese cinema in the 1950s. The script also highlights the global impact of Japan's cinematic legacy, influencing genres and filmmakers worldwide, including Hollywood and beyond.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Dutch introduced the magic lantern to Japan, which influenced early forms of cinematic entertainment like ghost and skeleton stories.
• 😀 Lumière’s cinematograph arrived in Japan in 1897, marking the beginning of projected films that could be viewed by entire audiences.
• 😀 Early Japanese films featured subjects like geishas and Kabuki theater and were often short silent films, regarded as novelties.
• 😀 Western films began entering Japan in the early 1900s, leading to the establishment of Japan's first permanent cinemas by 1917.
• 😀 Benshi (narrators) played a key role in silent films by adding voices to characters, and their performances became an art form in Japan.
• 😀 The silent film era in Japan lasted longer than in the West, due to the success and popularity of benshi and technical difficulties with sound equipment.
• 😀 By the 1930s, the Japanese government took a strong role in controlling cinema, enforcing propaganda and censoring films critical of the nation or army.
• 😀 After Japan's defeat in World War II, the U.S. occupation influenced Japanese cinema by introducing American films and furthering censorship.
• 😀 Akira Kurosawa, one of Japan's most influential directors, revolutionized cinema with films like *Rashomon* and *Seven Samurai*, working closely with actor Toshiro Mifune.
• 😀 The Golden Age of Japanese cinema in the 1950s produced classics that influenced global filmmakers, including the samurai genre and the Godzilla franchise.
• 😀 Japanese cinema had a significant impact on Hollywood, inspiring remakes like *The Magnificent Seven* and *A Fistful of Dollars*, and influencing the creation of *Star Wars*.

Q & A

How did the Dutch contribute to the introduction of cinema in Japan?

The Dutch introduced the magic lantern to Japan through a trading port off Nagasaki, which became a popular form of village entertainment. This marked the early stages of visual storytelling, laying the foundation for Japanese cinema.

What role did benshi play in early Japanese cinema?

Benshi were narrators who accompanied silent films by not only describing the events on screen but also inhabiting the characters, giving them distinct voices. This practice extended the silent film era in Japan long after it ended in the West.

What was the significance of the Lumière Cinematograph in Japan in 1897?

The Lumière Cinematograph was introduced to Japan in 1897, marking the beginning of Japanese cinema. It allowed films to be projected large enough for an audience to view, unlike Edison’s Kinetoscope, which was limited to individual viewing.

How did Western films influence early Japanese cinema?

Western films were imported into Japan in the early 1900s, which helped establish Japan’s first permanent cinemas. These films also influenced the development of Japan's cinema industry, with American styles and narratives shaping local productions.

What was the role of the Japanese government in the 1930s regarding cinema?

During the 1930s, the Japanese government took control of cinema production, enforcing strict censorship to ensure films were aligned with wartime propaganda and nationalistic goals. Films critical of the army or the nation were banned, and overly realistic depictions of war were censored.

How did the end of World War II affect Japanese cinema?

After World War II, Japan was occupied by the United States, and many American films were imported to promote American ideals. During this time, Japanese films were still censored, with the focus on suppressing nationalist sentiments and promoting American values.

What marked the beginning of Akira Kurosawa’s filmmaking career?

Akira Kurosawa's career began after the death of his older brother, a benshi. He started as an assistant director at Toho Studios and quickly became known for his skill in screenwriting, directing films such as *Sanshiro Sugata* (1943), which faced censorship for being too Western.

What was the significance of the collaboration between Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune?

The collaboration between Kurosawa and Mifune became legendary, producing iconic films like *Drunken Angel* (1948) and *Seven Samurai* (1954). Mifune’s intense on-screen presence and Kurosawa's direction resulted in some of the most memorable performances in cinematic history.

How did Kurosawa’s film *Rashomon* impact the global film industry?

Although *Rashomon* initially found only moderate success in Japan, it won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1951, bringing international attention to Japanese cinema and influencing filmmakers worldwide with its innovative narrative style.

In what way did Japanese cinema influence Western films, particularly in the Western genre?

Japanese samurai films, particularly those directed by Kurosawa, heavily influenced Western films. For example, John Sturges’ *The Magnificent Seven* (1960) was a remake of *Seven Samurai*, and Sergio Leone's *A Fistful of Dollars* (1964) was inspired by Kurosawa's *Yojimbo* (1961).