Isao Takahata: A Legend in Japanese Animation

Name: Isao Takahata: A Legend in Japanese Animation
Brand: 高畑勲 / TAKAHATA Isao
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An exhibition catalogue introducing the creative work of Japanese animation film director Isao Takahata (1935–2018). It was published in conjunction with "Isao Takahata: A Legend in Japanese Animation," held at the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, from July to October 2019.

Starting with his first feature-length directorial work, "The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun" (1968), Takahata developed a directing style that meticulously depicted character psychology and daily life through television series such as "Heidi, Girl of the Alps," "3000 Leagues in Search of Mother," and "Anne of Green Gables." He later went on to create works focused on the Japanese landscape, daily culture, and the memories of war, including "Grave of the Fireflies," "Only Yesterday," and "Pom Poko."

This book is organized into four chapters: "The Starting Point," "The Joys of Daily Life," "An Eye for Japanese Culture," and "The Dynamism of Sketches." Through materials such as production notes and storyboards, it introduces how he constructed character movements and emotions, background art, and landscape depictions. It also traces his half-century evolution in expression, culminating in his final work, "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" (2013), which employed a drawing method different from traditional cel animation.

In addition to a special contribution by Yuri Norstein detailing his memories of Takahata, the book includes essays such as "Isao Takahata: An Animation Reformer" by Ryusuke Hikawa and "Isao Takahata's Directing Technique: The Aesthetics of Landscape in Animation" by Katsuo Suzuki. It also covers his relationship with music, art research, and his exchanges with Frédéric Back.

This exhibition catalogue examines the innovation of character expression and landscape depiction in animation, not only through completed works but also through their production processes. It is a volume that reflects on the development of postwar Japanese animation and the expressive methods Isao Takahata left for future creators.

[Title] Isao Takahata: A Legend in Japanese Animation
[Publisher] NHK Promotions
[Publication Date] August 5, 2019 (2nd printing)
[Pages] 256 pages
[Dimensions] Approx. 233 x 298 x 21 mm / 1095 g
[Format] -
[Language] Japanese, English
[Title Reading] Takahata Isao-ten Nihon no Animeeshon ni Nokoshitamono
[Author/Editor, etc.] Edited by The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, Studio Ghibli, NHK Promotions; Text by Yuri Norstein, Ryusuke Hikawa, Katsuo Suzuki; Translation by Christopher Stephens, Hiroko Kojima; Design by Daisuke Hikone; Photography by Hironobu Takenaka
[Printing/Binding] Toppan Printing / Printing and Binding
[ISBN] -
[Condition] Used [7] Very Good
[Included] Flyer, Venue map
[Featured Book] -
[Related Exhibition] Isao Takahata: A Legend in Japanese Animation (The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, July 2 – October 6, 2019), scheduled to tour to the Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art (April 10 – May 24, 2020)

Isao Takahata (1935–2018)

Born in Mie Prefecture in 1935, raised in Okayama Prefecture. Animation film director. Graduated from the Department of French Literature at the University of Tokyo in 1959. Joined Toei Doga (now Toei Animation) in the same year.

In 1968, he released his first feature-length directorial film, "The Great Adventure of Horus, Prince of the Sun." After leaving Toei Doga, he directed TV animation series including "Heidi, Girl of the Alps" (1974), "3000 Leagues in Search of Mother" (1976), and "Anne of Green Gables" (1979). He produced works that placed emphasis on the depiction of character psychology and everyday life.

He directed the film "Gauche the Cellist" in 1982. In 1984, he served as producer for Hayao Miyazaki's "Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind," and in 1985, he participated in the establishment of Studio Ghibli.

At Studio Ghibli, he directed "Grave of the Fireflies" (1988), "Only Yesterday" (1991), "Pom Poko" (1994), and "My Neighbors the Yamadas" (1999). In 2013, he released the feature animation "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya," which utilized the lines of hand-drawn sketches.

Parallel to his animation production, he was involved in research and writing on film, art, literature, and music. His major books include "Things I Thought While Making Films" (1991), "12th Century Animation" (1999), and "Animation, From Time to Time" (2013). Died in 2018.