Kihachiro Kawamoto

Stop-motion animation short

A cautionary tale. A monk's acolyte follows his master back to the master's garden, where branches of beautiful blossoms grow. A sign forbids the breaking of the branches. The master leaves, the acolyte chants, but soon falls asleep. Two men approach the gate into the master's garden. They knock. The acolyte awakes, peeks through the gate, and decides not to let them in. One of the two men uncorks a canteen of sake and pours some out into a flat bowl. The acolyte smells the sake. (imdb)

Through puppets and animation, a traveler tells his story of walking through Settsu, coming to the town of Ikuta. He asks if someone can show him the Seeker's Mound. Late that day, a solitary maiden says she will lead him there. She tells him the story of Unai-otome, a pure maid who lived 500 years ago and had two suitors, a poet and a warrior. She cannot choose, the suitors strive, grief and death follow. The maid asks the traveler's help... (imdb)

Two Brothers, who are both hunters and live with their mother, go to the mountains to set traps for deer. Suddenly, a demon grabs the younger brothers. The older brother shoots and arrow, severing the demon's arm, which they plan to take home. But they make an grisly discovery on the journey home.

Set in 8th century Japan when Buddhism was a fledgling idea being introduced from China, this epic animated parable chronicles the adventures of a cosseted young noblewoman who risks everything to follow the ghost of a long-dead prince. While she mistakes the apparition for Buddha, the restless specter mistakes her for the last woman he saw before he died, setting the stage for a supernatural romance of sorts. (Netflix)

A short film based on a story by Japanese writer Kenji Miyazawa. Two young British hunters get lost in the woods and discover a strange restaurant. Are the hunters about to discover how it feels to be the hunted? (www.animenewsnetwork.com)

A stop motion short film by Kihachiro Kawamoto. This short film humorously shows what happens when the artist creates a being that insists on 'creating' the artist. (My Anime List)

A woman taking a trip encounters a nightmarish landscape juxtaposed against scenes of classical beauty. (imdb)

One of Kihachiro Kawamoto's earlier works. In French.

A monk finds himself tempted by a mysterious young lady during a pilgrimage.

mysterious meditation on the power of poetic imagination. A worker fired from a factory for demanding higher wages is plagued by ghastly nightmares. Based on a story by novelist Kobo Abe. (dailymotion)

Ji Chang wants to be the best archer in the world. He seeks out a master who is able, at a distance, to shoot a single leaf off a tree. Over several years, the apprentice studies with the master. Finally, after mastering the techniques, as well as his own ambition, he sets off for the mountains, home of a legendary master of archery. (imdb)