by An animation based on a folk tale from Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, was produced, and a screening for residents was held on the 11th. The Nippon Foundation and others have been working on this project for the past seven years to pass on beautiful seas to the next generation’s children by turning Japanese sea folk tales into easy-to-understand animations.
The animation’s narrator said, “I went fishing as usual, but that day I couldn’t catch any fish.” The new work shown on the 11th is based on a folk tale from Tashirojima, Ishinomaki, about a young man struggling to catch fish and worried about his mother. He built a Kannon temple after hearing a prophecy in a dream. Then Kannon Bodhisattva landed on the island, and the whole island was blessed with a good fish catch.
The animation’s narrator said, “The island’s people were watched over by Kannon Bodhisattva and lived happily ever after.” About 60 people attended the screening and were fascinated by the work set in the local area. Those who watched the anime said, “It was exciting, and I enjoyed it. I want to stop littering so our local ocean and fish can live more comfortably.”
Anime director Numata Shinnosuke said, “I made it with the hope of conveying a culture that cherishes the ocean.” The film will be released on a video streaming site from 10 am on the 12th.
