Momijigari (1899) FULL VIDEO
Momijigari (Maple Leaf Viewing) isn't just a movie; it is a time capsule. Released in 1899, it stands as the oldest surviving Japanese film and a pivotal moment where the ancient art of Kabuki met the "magic" of the cinematograph.
## Plot Outline: The Legend of Mount Togakushi
The film is a documentary-style recording of a specific scene from the famous Kabuki play of the same name. Since the technology of 1899 couldn't capture the entire performance, it focuses on the climax:
The Encounter: The celebrated warrior Taira no Koremochi is hunting deer on Mount Togakushi when he encounters a beautiful noblewoman, Princess Sarashina, hosting a lavish maple-viewing party.
The Deception: The Princess invites Koremochi to drink sake and watch her dance. Under her spell, he falls into a deep sleep.
The Revelation: While he sleeps, a messenger from the god Hachiman appears in a dream to warn him: the Princess is actually a kijo (a demon) in disguise.
The Battle: Koremochi awakens just as the demon reveals its true, monstrous form. Using his legendary sword, Kogarasumaru, he engages in a stylized battle and eventually slays the beast.
## Key Production Information
| Attribute | Detail |
| Director | Tsunekichi Shibata |
| Cinematographer | Tsunekichi Shibata (using a Gaumont camera) |
| Cast | Ichikawa Danjūrō IX & Onoe Kikugorō V |
| Filming Location | Open-air stage behind the Kabuki-za, Tokyo |
| Release Year | 1899 (Filmed); 1903 (Public Release) |
## Interesting Facts & Trivia
1. The "Important Cultural Property" Status
In 2009, Momijigari became the first film in Japanese history to be designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. This is the same legal protection afforded to ancient temples and samurai swords.
2. A Reluctant Movie Star
Ichikawa Danjūrō IX, the most prestigious actor of the Meiji era, initially despised the idea of motion pictures. He considered them a "vulgar toy" for the masses. He only agreed to be filmed as a "gift for posterity," with the strict condition that the film never be shown to the public during his lifetime.
3. The Wind of Fate
If you watch the film closely, there is a moment where the wind blows a folding fan out of Danjūrō's hand or ruffles the costumes. Because early cameras were hand-cranked and film stock was incredibly expensive, they couldn't afford a second take. That "mistake" remains in the final cut over 125 years later.
4. The 1903 Premiere
The film sat in storage until 1903. When Onoe Kikugorō V passed away and Danjūrō fell ill, the public's desire to see these masters was so high that Danjūrō finally relented. It premiered at the Shintomi-za theater in Tokyo, marking the first time a film was used to supplement a live theatrical legacy in Japan.
5. Survival Against Odds
Most Japanese films from the silent era were lost due to the 1923 Great Kantō Earthquake, the firebombings of WWII, or the natural degradation of nitrate film. Momijigari survived largely because it was treated as a family heirloom by the Ichikawa family before being donated to the National Film Archive.
Momijigari (1899), a 3-minute-50-second film documenting a kabuki performance, holds a foundational place in cinema history as the oldest surviving Japanese film. Directed by Shibata Tsunekichi, it pioneered several milestones in Japanese cinema: - First Film to be Designated an Important Cultural Property: In 2009, Momijigari became the first film recognized under Japan's Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties due to its historical significance.
- Oldest Surviving Japanese Film: It is the earliest known motion picture made in Japan that still exists, preserving a rare look at Meiji-period theater.
- First Narrative Film in Japan: It is widely considered the first Japanese film to feature a narrative structure, rather than just showing a scene or place, by depicting the story of a samurai fighting a demon disguised as a princess.
- Pioneering "Kabuki Cinema": The film helped launch the "kabuki cinema" genre, setting a precedent for using film to record or replicate traditional stage performances.
- Bridging Documentary and Fiction: As noted by historian Hiroshi Komatsu, it represents a fascinating mix, serving simultaneously as a documentary of a stage performance and a, fiction story.
- Technical Achievement in Early Japanese Filmmaking: Shot outdoors using a Gaumont camera in a single take without the possibility of retakes, it captured a rare, authentic moment when a gust of wind blew away one of the actor's fans.
The film was not originally intended for public viewing but rather as a record for posterity of renowned actors Onoe Kikugorō V and Ichikawa Danjūrō IX. It is preserved at the National Film Center of the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo.
Momijigari (Maple Leaf Viewing) is much more than just a flickering relic of the past; it is the cornerstone of Japanese cinema. Captured in 1899 by photographer Tsunekichi Shibata, this film serves as a bridge between the ancient traditions of Kabuki and the then-nascent technology of the motion picture.
Here are the pioneering achievements that secure its place in history:
1. The Oldest Surviving Japanese Film
While it wasn't the first film ever shot in Japan, Momijigari is the earliest Japanese-produced film that still exists today. Most films from this era were lost to the Great Kantō Earthquake of 1923, fires, or the humidity of the Japanese climate. Its survival makes it a primary source for the birth of a national cinema.
2. First Film as a "National Treasure"
In 2009, Momijigari became the first film ever designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government. This was a landmark moment for film preservation, as it officially elevated cinema from mere entertainment or "moving photographs" to a high-art status on par with ancient temples and classical paintings.
3. A Record of the "Dan-Kiku" Era
The film captures the two greatest Kabuki stars of the Meiji era: Ichikawa Danjūrō IX and Onoe Kikugorō V.
The Significance: Danjūrō IX was a notorious traditionalist who initially despised the idea of film, believing it "defiled" the sacred nature of Kabuki.
The Compromise: He eventually agreed to be filmed only as a "gift for his descendants." Because of this, we have a visual record of the acting styles of a legendary era that would otherwise be left entirely to the imagination.
4. Pioneering Documentary Style
Unlike the Lumière brothers' films, which focused on everyday life (trains arriving, workers leaving factories), Momijigari was a deliberate attempt to preserve a cultural performance.
It was shot outdoors behind the Kabuki-za theater in Tokyo.
The camera remains stationary, acting as a "front-row seat" for the viewer.
It captures the climax of the play where the demon (Kikugorō) is confronted by the hero (Danjūrō).
Historical Context & Technical Trivia
| Feature | Detail |
| Length | Roughly 3 minutes (in its original state). |
| Director/Camera | Tsunekichi Shibata. |
| Format | 35mm black and white, silent. |
| Incident | During filming, a gust of wind blew away one of Danjūrō’s fans—an "unscripted" moment that adds a rare layer of realism to the rigid performance. |
Despite its age, Momijigari remains a vital link to the past, proving that even in 1899, Japan recognized the power of the lens to immortalize the ephemeral beauty of the stage.
Technical Summary for Citations
Title: Momijigari (Maple Leaf Viewing)
Director/Cinematographer: Tsunekichi Shibata
Production Company: Konishi Honten (now Konica Minolta)
Release Date: Filmed November 1899; first screened publicly in 1903.
Preservation Status: Digitally restored by NFAJ; original nitrate print held under strict climate control.
Footnote Sources & Bibliography
To dig deeper into the academic and historical context of Momijigari, the following sources are considered the "gold standard":
The National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ): Digital Archive of Momijigari. Provides the most accurate technical data regarding the restoration of the nitrate prints.
Bernardi, Joanne (2001): Writing in Light: The Silent Scenario and the Japanese Pure Film Movement. Wayne State University Press. (Covers the transition from Kabuki recordings to actual cinema).
Gerow, Aaron (2010): Visions of Japanese Modernity: Articulations of Cinema, Nation, and Spectatorship, 1895–1925. University of California Press.
The Kabuki-za Theater Records: Meiji-era logs documenting the specific performances of Danjūrō IX and the filming conditions of 1899.
Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkacho): Inventory of National Cultural Properties (Film Section). Documentation on the 2009 designation.
The information regarding the historical and cultural significance of Momijigari is well-documented in Japanese film history archives and academic texts. Below are the primary sources and scholarly references for the details provided:
Primary Institutional Sources
National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ): The NFAJ maintains the official record and the physical nitrate prints of the film. Their "Collection Highlights" categorize Momijigari as the oldest surviving work in their inventory.
Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-cho): The 2009 designation of the film as an Important Cultural Property (Jūyō Bunkazai) is officially recorded in the Japanese government's database of National Cultural Properties. This is the source for its status alongside physical artifacts and architecture.
Scholarly & Historical References
Richie, Donald (2001). A Hundred Years of Japanese Film: A Concise History. Kodansha International.
Richie provides the context for Tsunekichi Shibata’s filming process and the "Dan-Kiku" era (the rivalry/partnership of Danjūrō IX and Kikugorō V).
Bernardi, Joanne (2001). Writing in Light: The Silent Scenario and the Japanese Pure Film Movement. Wayne State University Press.
Bernardi details the early "moving photograph" era and the transition from Kabuki recordings to narrative cinema.
Sharp, Jasper (2011). Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema. Scarecrow Press.
This source verifies the technical details (35mm, 1899) and the specific play recorded (the 1887 Kabuki version of Momijigari).
Critical Articles & Preservation Records
Gerow, Aaron (2010). Visions of Japanese Modernity: Articulations of Cinema, Nation, and Spectatorship, 1895–1925. University of California Press.
Gerow analyzes why this film was chosen for preservation and how it helped shape Japanese national identity.
- Okada, Hidenori (2009). "The Designation of Momijigari as an Important Cultural Property." NFAJ Newsletter/Journal.
Okada, a lead curator, explains the rationale behind the 2009 designation and the technical challenges of preserving the original nitrate film
The information regarding the historical and cultural significance of Momijigari is well-documented in Japanese film history archives and academic texts. Below are the primary sources and scholarly references for the details provided:
Primary Institutional Sources
National Film Archive of Japan (NFAJ): The NFAJ maintains the official record and the physical nitrate prints of the film. Their "Collection Highlights" categorize Momijigari as the oldest surviving work in their inventory.
Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunka-cho): The 2009 designation of the film as an Important Cultural Property (Jūyō Bunkazai) is officially recorded in the Japanese government's database of National Cultural Properties. This is the source for its status alongside physical artifacts and architecture.
Scholarly & Historical References
Richie, Donald (2001). A Hundred Years of Japanese Film: A Concise History. Kodansha International.
Richie provides the context for Tsunekichi Shibata’s filming process and the "Dan-Kiku" era (the rivalry/partnership of Danjūrō IX and Kikugorō V).
Bernardi, Joanne (2001). Writing in Light: The Silent Scenario and the Japanese Pure Film Movement. Wayne State University Press.
Bernardi details the early "moving photograph" era and the transition from Kabuki recordings to narrative cinema.
Sharp, Jasper (2011). Historical Dictionary of Japanese Cinema. Scarecrow Press.
This source verifies the technical details (35mm, 1899) and the specific play recorded (the 1887 Kabuki version of Momijigari).
Critical Articles & Preservation Records
Gerow, Aaron (2010). Visions of Japanese Modernity: Articulations of Cinema, Nation, and Spectatorship, 1895–1925. University of California Press.
Gerow analyzes why this film was chosen for preservation and how it helped shape Japanese national identity.
Okada, Hidenori (2009). "The Designation of Momijigari as an Important Cultural Property." NFAJ Newsletter/Journal.
Okada, a lead curator, explains the rationale behind the 2009 designation and the technical challenges of preserving the original nitrate film.
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