Kanimanji engi (1925)

Kanimanji engi / 蟹満寺縁起 (Tale of Crab Temple / Crab Temple Omen in English) is an early Japanese fully silhoutte silent animtion film directed by Hidehiko Okuda, Hakusan Kimura and Tomu Uchida. This animation is historically significant for having Tomu Uchida as one of its three directors. Uchida later became a renowned filmmaker in Japan. Co-director Hakuzan Kimura worked primarily at Asahi Kinema. This animated movie was released in 1925 although in some places it is said to have been released in 1924. The original Kaniman-ji Temple is situated in Kyoto, Japan and is supposed to have been built at the end of the Hakuho era (645-710).

The story in brief:

This short animation tells the story of how the Kanimanji (the Crab Temple) was founded. It begins with a young woman and her father visiting a temple during the Equinox. On their way home, they stop to rescue a crab from a boy's torment, with the woman buying and setting it free. Later, during autumn harvest, while working in the paddy field, the old man and his daughter witness a snake about to eat a frog. Disturbed by this, the old man promises to marry his daughter to the snake if it spares the frog. The snake agrees and goes away. When it returns as a man to claim his bride, the farmer asks for 3 days' time. The father and daughter cry and pray to Buddha for help. After 3 days the snake-man returns and sneaks into the house. Meanwhile, a swarm of crabs, grateful for the woman's  past kindness to one of them, gather around the house to protect her. Watch the film to see how the crabs protect her and how the temple is built in honor of the crabs who saved her.

More info on Kanimanji engi:

• Reviews and ratings of Kanimanji engi - IMDb

Animation Movies by Hakusan Kimura

Animation Movies by Hidehiko Okuda

Animation Movies by Tomu Uchida