Resolve for a Rainstorm

The second animation of the 'In the Shadow of Leaves' series, consisting of short theatrical productions based on the teachings of Hagakure, the Book of the Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo.

The series deals with many of the samurai's beliefs and ideals on how to live a good life and how to treat those around you, but updated to be relevant to modern times and issues.

The animation is styled in the mode of shadow puppet theatre, keeping the authenticity of the traditional art form alive while also utilising modern digital technology to enhance the performance. 17th and 18th century Japanese wood block print imagery is also used to create a truly oriental experience and ambiance throughout.

This episode is based on William Scott Wilson's translated version, page 38, first quote.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Hagakure
• samurai
• digital
• animation
• shadow
• puppet
• play
• Japan
• woodcut
• print
• illusion
• Yamamoto
• Tsunetomo
• series

[talo91]

Nice video, excellent work with the animation!!! Hagakure is a great book

[MaxT2K]

Thank you very much Talo.

The Hagakure was a very inspirational book for me too and I have researched it heavily.

It has been a while since I last made an 'In the Shadow of Leaves' animation but I have not forgot them and hope to start working on more in the near future.

[robertimpey]

This one's great as well, Theeidge. Do you have any more planned?

[MaxT2K]

Thanks Rob. Yes I do have another animation with storyboarded and pieces already designed. The next instalment will be 'The Man Who Liked Dragons', which I will begin animating once I'm back from university.

[WISDOMX9]

"There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything."

— Yamamoto Tsunetomo

[merkinmerlin]

great video, was wondering if the soundtrack is an original performance for this video or is it sampled?

[cakeninja13]

Great video... But this music annoyed me whenever the flute (?) player took a breath. I like the video though

[stormy1s]

ive always thought by rain he meant hardship or problems, but i think its meant to be open to interpretation

[lake7less]

that's so right. thx :))

[Philofthefuture87]

So I was reading this passage last night, and it really made me think hard about it. I am excited that I found your video. I have my own interpretation of it, and I believe that the rain represents change. If we try to escape it, it only finds other ways to reach us. It is better to deal with the change successfully, although we still end up with the same outcome. Feel free to critique my interpretation.

[SilFerWolf]

I really like your animations. I think I actually liked the first one more. Your animating style is very original and clean, it's nice. The only thing I wish though was that it wasn't so... boring. I'm sure that there was a lot of meaning behind this video, but I completely missed it. I wish that your animations had more of an abstract or heavy transitions during it, I liked the first one with its abstract-ness.