Japan on Film: BFI releases restorations online for free
David Farnor | On 19, Dec 2021
The BFI has released a host of restored Japanese footage online for free, as part of its celebration of 100 years of Japanese cinema.
The new digital restorations are of some of the earliest surviving moving images of Japan preserved by the BFI National Archive, dating back to as early as 1901. Mostly shot at the start of the 20th century, the Japan on Film collection takes viewers on a fascinating journey through Japan, capturing the vibrancy of the period and covering a variety of subjects: its people (Among the Japanese, 1911), (Japanese Types, 1911), including the Ainu, Japan’s indigenous ethnic group native to Hokkaido (The Ainus of Japan, 1913); cultural events (Japanese Procession of State, 1904), (Japanese Festival, 1909), (Rice Festival in Kyoto, 1910); customs (Some Japanese Temples, 1912), (Japanese Dancers and Japanese Stave Duel, 1905); everyday life (Japanese Funeral, 1904), (Rice Harvesting in Japan, 1910), (Fishing With Cormorants, Isle of Yeso, Japan, 1911) and places including views of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto and Yokohama (Picturesque Japan, 1907), (Shooting the rapids on the River Ozu, 1911).
Early filmmakers had a particular fascination for Japan. Many western film companies sent cameramen to capture the landscapes, temples, processional events, festivals and customs of the islands. The Japanese aesthetic was influential and fashionable in the western nations in the early 20th century, so audiences were thrilled to see the country and its people on film. This selection of views of Japan, made by UK and French filmmakers, broadly coincides with the end of the Meiji era (1868-1912). Many of the French Pathé titles still have their original stencil colouring, which adds to their charm. Very much viewed through a Western and at times orientalist gaze, titles such as Japonaiserie (1904) include uncomfortable western takes on Japanese culture.
Around Japan with a Movie Camera, a compilation specially created for the BFI London Film Festival 2021 with musical accompaniment provided by Cyrus Gabrysch, Costas Fotopolous, Stephen Horne and Lillian Henley is also available to view as part of Japan on Film on BFI Player and BFI YouTube.
Stuart Brown, BFI Head of Programme and Acquisitions says: “Whilst we were planning our large scale BFI Japan season, we were mesmerised by the BFI’s new restorations of early views of Japan on film, showing ordinary Japanese lives at the turn of the century. We knew we wanted to bring these films to life for new and diverse audiences. The BFI National Archive is a living, breathing collection that continues to inspire creativity. By collaborating with The Light Surgeons, one of the UK’s most innovative artists using moving image, we’ve been able to bring a new dimension to this rare archive, opening up a new way of seeing the past”
Here’s the full rundown of the titles released on YouTube:
Japanese Schoolchildren UK 1901. Warwick Trading Company
Japanese Funeral UK 1904. Warwick Trading Company
Japanese State Procession UK 1904. Hepworth Manufacturing Company
Picturesque Japan France 1907. Pathé Frères
Japanese Dancers and Japanese Stave Duel UK 1905. (unidentified)
Japanese Festival / Grand Fête du cinquantenaire de Yokohama France 1909. Pathé Frères
Rice Harvesting in Japan/ Récolte du riz en Japon France 1910. FR, Pathé Frères
Rice Festival in Kyoto France 1910. Pathé Frères
Fishing with Cormorants. Isle of Yeso, Japan UK 1911. Charles Urban Trading Company
Japanese Types / Quelques types Japonais France 1911. Pathé Frères
Among the Japanese / Apres midi d’une Japonaise France 1911. Pathé Frères
Shooting the rapids on the River Ozu/ Les Rapides de la rivière Ozu France 1911. Pathé Frères
London: Late Emperor of Japan UK 1912. UK Topical Budget Company
Some Japanese Temples/ A travers les temples de Kyoto France 1912. Pathé Frères
The Ainus of Japan US 1913. Selig Polyscope Company, Director Frederick Starr