A story within a story...and very nicely done.

"Senga: Tsubo" is an animated short from Sanae Yamamoto and it can fortunately be seen online with English captions at the website for Japanese Animated Film Classics. Check into it....as the film is well worth your time.

According to the website for Japanese Animated Film Classics, the story is based on two prior stories: "The FIsherman and the Genie" from "The Arabian Nights" as well as "The Fable of the Fox and the Lion" from Macchiavelli's "The Prince".

The story is set in some Middle Eastern locale. A son chooses to go fishing each day to catch fish for his beloved father instead of going out to play with the other boys. This time something amazing happens...his net captures a clay pot! When he opens it, a demon* comes out and threatens him. Talk about ingratitude!! Fortunately, the demon is dumb and the boy soon re-captures him. Then he has a dilemma....does he throw the sealed pot back into the water or take a risk and let the demon go once again. Before doing either, he tells the demon the story of the lion and fox...and fortunately the demon is receptive to learning and growing. So what's next? See the film.

This is a really neat story. While the animation isn't brilliant, this is true of most animation of the 1920s--Japanese or otherwise. Plus the story is clever and fun....so I recommend you try to find it.

*In Japanese mythology, demons are not exactly the same as those in the Christian or Muslim or Jewish tradition. They are not necessarily evil and CAN be nice in some cases.

Animation is a form of visual storytelling that involves creating visual art and motion through the use of various techniques and technologies. In animation, images are manipulated to create the illusion of movement, bringing characters, objects, and environments to life. Animation can encompass a wide range of styles, themes, and intended audiences, making it a diverse and versatile form of storytelling.

Daveigh Chase, Rumi Hiiragi, and Mari Natsuki in Spirited Away (2001)

The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

Benedict Cumberbatch in The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)

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Senga: Tsubo

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