II. Early Japanese Animation (1917–1939)

A boy writes on a board, then tips his hat to the viewer.

A samurai buys a dull sword from a merchant. He is quickly defeated by his intended victims due to his cheap sword and clumsiness.

A fisherman rides on a turtle finding a hidden undersea world.

The Monkey King goes goes out in search of the Sacred Text.

"A Story of Tobacco" features an early use of cut-out animation to portray a tiny desktop man arguing with the human actress about cigarettes. Seemingly frustrated at the size difference o, he blows smoke at her, throws a tantrum, and threatens her with a tiny gun. This version of the short abruptly cuts off as he launches into mansplaining cigarettes suggesting lost footage

A Japanese businessman makes his fortune by shipping oranges from the farmlands to the capital city of Edo.

Short film from 1928 about a samurai fighting demons.

An old couple finds a child in a fruit.

Animated short film about a Grasshopper and Ant story, giving moral guidance to children who learn that insects who work hard are rewarded while the lazy ones suffer and fall into poverty.

A young man has a strange adventure on a hill as he returns from the village festival where he has performed as an actor: a giant snake frightens villagers, but the farmer finds out that the monster is vulnerable to nicotine. He achieved convincing other neighbors to the attack and end with her. In the mountains he will find a Buddha who will beg help and thanks to which he will become rich.