Tonpei and Sarukichi
"A heart-rending message that justice wins even in an outnumbered battle."
Plot
The story begins with Tonpei, a lazy and gluttonous pig, who sleeps through the morning and only wakes at noon to the sound of an angry clock. Driven by hunger, he steals food from the hardworking monkey Sarukichi, and the following day, he escalates his cruelty by assaulting Sarukichi's children and attempting to rob their home. Upon being alerted by his children via telephone, Sarukichi rushes back and physically overpowers Tonpei, prompting the pig to seek revenge by lying to the King Lion. The credulous Lion mobilizes a massive animal army—including foxes, rats, and squirrels—equipped with modern weaponry to attack Sarukichi's home, which miraculously transforms into a tank. A fierce battle ensues involving machine guns and mountain guns, but the tide turns when a mole army, siding with the outnumbered Sarukichi, detonates an underground bomb that obliterates the Lion's forces.
Director
About the Production
The film was part of the 'Athena Library' series, a collection of educational and narrative shorts produced by Yokohama Cinema Shokai. It was created using a highly refined paper cutout animation technique that was so smooth it was frequently mistaken for cel animation by contemporary audiences. The production involved a small, dedicated team including scriptwriter Chuzo Aochi and cinematographer Yukikiyo Ueno, who collaborated with Murata on approximately 50 titles.
Historical Background
Produced in 1932, the film was released during a period of intense Japanese military expansion, specifically between the Manchurian Incident (1931) and the Shanghai Incident (1932). This era saw the Japanese film industry increasingly producing 'narrative films' that echoed nationalistic sentiments, such as the 'Three Heroic Bombers' theme. The film's message—that a smaller, 'just' force can defeat a larger, aggressive army—mirrored the domestic propaganda of the time which characterized Japan's military actions as defensive and righteous against larger global powers.
Why This Film Matters
The film is a landmark in early Japanese animation (anime) for its sophisticated use of cutout techniques and its blend of traditional animal fables with modern military imagery. It represents the 'didactic' phase of Japanese animation where films were intended to teach moral lessons (industry vs. indolence) while also serving as soft propaganda. It is studied today as a prime example of how early Japanese animators integrated social and political climate into children's entertainment.
Making Of
Yasuji Murata developed his unique cutout animation style through self-study and trial and error after joining Yokohama Cinema Shokai. Unlike his contemporary Sanae Yamamoto, who favored slapstick, Murata focused on fluid, realistic movement within the limitations of paper cutouts. The production of 'Tonpei and Sarukichi' occurred during a transitional period for the studio as they moved toward more narrative-driven and socially reflective content. The use of military hardware like tanks and machine guns in the film reflected the studio's increasing engagement with contemporary themes of national defense and technological modernization.
Visual Style
The film utilizes a flat, two-dimensional plane characteristic of cutout animation but achieves depth through clever layering and the use of geometric framing (circles and squares). Cinematographer Yukikiyo Ueno employed precise lighting to ensure the paper edges were not visible, maintaining the illusion of a continuous drawing. The 'camera' movements are mostly static, with the action occurring through the meticulously moved paper joints of the characters.
Innovations
The film is celebrated for its 'invisible' cutout technique, where the joints and edges of the paper characters are so well-concealed that the movement appears fluid and organic. It also features early examples of 'transformation' sequences in anime, specifically the scene where Sarukichi's traditional house transforms into a functional military tank.
Music
Originally released as a silent film, it was intended to be accompanied by live 'benshi' narration and traditional musical accompaniment (likely shamisen or small ensemble) in theaters. Some preserved versions have had modern scores or synchronized music added for archival screenings.
Famous Quotes
Tonpei the Pig's arrogant behavior finally causes Sarukichi the Monkey to take action.
The pig lied to the King Lion to get him on his side.
Justice wins even in an outnumbered battle.
Memorable Scenes
- The opening sequence where Tonpei's alarm clock physically expresses anger at his laziness.
- The transformation of Sarukichi's humble house into a heavy tank to defend against the Lion's army.
- The climax where the mole army detonates an underground bomb, causing a massive explosion that defeats the invaders.
Did You Know?
- The film was released in a 16mm version titled 'Sarukichi Has Won' (Sarukichi no Shori) by Konishiroku Honten.
- Director Yasuji Murata was a former movie theater signboard artist before becoming a pioneer of Japanese animation.
- The film features surprisingly modern technology for a fable, including telephones and tanks.
- It was reviewed in the July 1, 1932 edition of Cinema Junpo (No. 440), a prestigious Japanese film magazine.
- The character of the Lion is portrayed as 'credulous' or easily fooled, which was a common trope in Murata's didactic works.
- The animation style is noted for its 'droll' and 'dry' manner, favoring anatomical logic over the slapstick squash-and-stretch common in American cartoons of the era.
What Critics Said
At the time of its release, it was praised for its technical proficiency, particularly the smoothness of the cutout animation which rivaled more expensive cel animation. Modern critics, such as those at Cartoon Research, note the film's 'droll fantasist' style and its transition from a simple moral tale about laziness to a complex allegory for war preparedness. It is regarded as a significant work in the filmography of Yasuji Murata, showcasing his ability to handle serious themes through caricature.
What Audiences Thought
Contemporary audiences, particularly children, were the primary target for the Athena Library series; they received the film as both an educational moral story and a thrilling action short. The 16mm 'Sakura Graph' home versions were popular for school and community screenings, helping to establish Sarukichi the Monkey as a recognizable hero figure in early Japanese pop culture.
Film Connections
Influenced By
- Traditional Japanese folklore (specifically 'The Monkey and the Crab')
- Winsor McCay (animation style)
- Contemporary Japanese military newsreels
This Film Influenced
- Momotaro's Sea Eagles (1943)
- Private Norakuro series
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Film Restoration
The film is preserved and has been digitally restored. It is currently part of the 'Japanese Animated Film Classics' collection curated by the National Film Archive of Japan.