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The Magic Ballad

The Magic Ballad

Genres

Animation

OverView

The 25 minute film tells the tale of an ailing elderly woman named Itako who encounters a fox named Okon. The story opens with Itako lying bedridden, as she has for a long time. Okon enters her home and Itako tells the fox that he is welcome to take anything that he wants, for she has no use for anything anymore. Okon is delighted and in order to return the favour (the act of ongaeshi), Okon performs a magic jyōruri (a ballad with shamisen accompaniment) that heals Itako so that she is fit enough to walk again. Everyone is surprised by Itako's sudden recovery. She then hears of a hunter who has been badly injured and is near death. Itako hides Okon in the back of her shirt and has the fox sing the song while she plays shamisen in order to heal the man. This act of kindness is repeated for others until Itako's good fortune leads some to be suspicious of her.

Others

Budget

$--

Revenue

$--

Status

Released

Original Language

Japanese

Runtime

26 mins

Rating

5/10

Release Date

01 January 1982

Country

Japan

Cast

Teruko Nagaoka

Teruko Nagaoka

Tetsuo Goto

Tetsuo Goto

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