Synopsis
This short film, helmed by Yasuji Murata, draws from the Japanese folktale "Hanasaka Jiijii" or "Hanasaka Jiisan." The story centers on a benevolent elderly couple who unearth oval-shaped gold coins known as koban from the ground after their dog starts barking at a certain spot.
Background
The 28th of the Athena Film Library educational film series produced by Yokohama Cinema Shokai. A 35mm version and a 16mm version were released. The existing print is a 16mm Sakura Graph version released by Konishiroku Honten. The 35mm original version is one 375 meter reel and lasts 14 min. (24fps). This film is a considerably shortened version. The outline of the story provided at the time suggests that in addition to intertitles, several elements are missing from this version, including a scene in which a pet dog chases a black cat and a story about how the Blossom Man earns his reputation.