In this ravishing film of mystical beauty, master animator Kihachiro Kawamoto s tour de force adventure tale tells the story of a young noblewoman in 8th-century Japan who leaves her home to follow the apparition of an executed prince. THE BOOK OF THE DEAD takes place as Buddhism is being introduced to Japan from China. Iratsume, a woman of noble descent, becomes obsessed with this mysterious new religion. One night, in a rapturous trance, she sees a luminous vision that she believes to be the Buddha, compelling her to leave home and journey to a sacred temple. Once there, she sees Otsu, a young prince who was executed 50 years earlier. While Iratsume mistakes the prince s spirit for the incarnation of the great Buddha, the ghost mistakes Iratsume for the last woman he saw at the moment of his death. As an act of great devotion, she decides to make a giant shroud for the prince to heal his soul, after which he begins to haunt the young woman and those around her. The pair embark on an impassioned battle of wills, one longing for the material world, the other striving for the spiritual. This strange story of otherworldly romance is the work of stop-motion animator and puppet-maker Kihachiro Kawamoto, a former student of the master Czech animator Jiri Trnka. Already a legend in his own right, with The Book of the Dead he has created an intricately detailed magnum opus, a summation of the themes explored in all of his work: the transience of existence, the ambiguity of human behavior, and the search for perfection and beauty in an imperfect world. One final note for animation buffs: The film also features work by the acclaimed Russian animator and director Yuriy Norshteyn, who was involved in The Book of the Dead as a guest animator.Based on a story by early 20th century writer Shinobu Origuchi, The Book of the Dead (2005) suggests summary of puppet animator Kihachiro Kawamoto’s previous work. The learned and beautiful Lady Iratsume of the aristocratic Fujiwara clan receives a vision of a deity when she contemplates Mt. Futakami. Leaving her mansion for a temple at the base of the mountain, she learns that her vision is a manifestation of Prince Otsu, who was treacherously murdered decades earlier to prevent his accession as Emperor. Lady Iratsume weaves a miraculous garment to clothe the figure in her vision, using thread spun from lotus plants (a symbol of rebirth). The setting in 8th century Nara provides Kawamoto with a showcase for his delicately beautiful puppets and nuanced animation. The design of Lady Iratsume recalls the tragic heroine of House of Flame, but the animation of the figure is even more subtle: when Iratsume copies a Buddhist sutra or sews the enchanted fabric, every movement is rendered with consummate grace. Kawamoto’s mastery of design and motion offers a model for all students of animation. His earlier work is available on The Exquisite Short Films of Kihachiro Kawamoto (1968-1979).(Unrated, suitable for ages 14 and older: mature themes) –Charles Solomon

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