Synopsis
This short film was created by pioneering animator Kitayama Seitarou. It is based on the Japanese folktale "Hanasaka Jiijii," also known as "Hanasaka Jiisan." An elderly couple without children adored their dog. One day, the dog dug in their garden, uncovering a box of gold coins. A neighbor believed the dog could locate treasure and borrowed it. When the dog dug in his garden, it found only bones, so he killed it, telling the couple it had died suddenly. Grieving, they buried the dog beneath the fig tree where the gold had been found. That night, the dog's owner dreamed the dog told him to cut down the tree and make a mortar from it. His wife agreed they must follow the request. After doing so, any rice placed in the mortar turned into gold. The neighbor borrowed the mortar, but his rice transformed into foul-smelling berries. In anger, he and his wife smashed and burned the mortar. The next night, the dog appeared in a dream and directed his master to collect the ashes and sprinkle them on specific cherry trees. When he did, the trees bloomed instantly. A passing Daimyo (feudal lord) was amazed and bestowed many gifts upon him. The neighbor attempted to replicate this, but the ashes blew into the Daimyo's eyes. The lord had the neighbor imprisoned, and upon release, his own village banished him. His wicked ways prevented him from finding a new home anywhere.