The Story of Yanagawa's Canals

A documentary on Yanagawa's canal preservation and community effort.

The Story of Yanagawa's Canals is a 1987 live-action animated documentary directed by Isao Takahata and originally broadcast on NHK. It details the history of Yanagawa, Fukuoka, and its inhabitants' struggle to preserve the city's signature canals from water pollution. The film marks several firsts for Studio Ghibli, including being Takahata's first directorial feature for the studio and the only majority live-action Ghibli film to date.

Quick Facts

Director: Isao Takahata
Producer: Susumu Kubo
Music: Michio Mamiya
Cinematography: Somai Takahashi
Production companies: Studio Ghibli; Nibariki
Distributor: NHK
Released: 15 August 1987
Runtime: 167 minutes

Facts from the source article.

Did You Know?

The film was broadcast on NHK on August 15, 1987.
A localized Japanese DVD was released on December 5, 2003.
Since the DVD release, there have been no further releases or reissues of the film.

Synopsis

The film traces the history of Yanagawa's canal system, the restoration of the city, and the science behind it, as well as its impacts on following generations. It explores the day-to-day lives of the community and their struggle to preserve the famous canals from water pollution and disuse. Beginning with the canals' origins in the 16th century through the 1970s, emphasis is placed on the mantra 'Living with Nature, disposing of waste by recycling,' which became central to the community's preservation efforts.

The central figure is Tsutae Hiromatsu, head of the local water supply division, initially tasked with overseeing the canals' removal and repurposing. Upon learning of their importance to the community, he mobilizes residents and local government to support his 'Water Clean-up project' to restore the waterways. The film is divided into eleven chapters and a prologue, each featuring talking heads, observational shooting, explanatory narration, and Miyazaki's animation.

Themes

The film touches on humanity's relationship to nature, environmentalism, industrialization, nostalgia, and the importance of community. Attention is given to local culture, including Shinto moat-drying parties, kappa legends, and Okinohata festivals. Poetry by Hakushū Kitahara is featured throughout, echoing Takahata's later use of it in My Neighbors the Yamadas.

Reception

In recent years, it has gained increased critical attention in the West. It was screened at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in 2022 as part of a retrospective on Takahata's films. Colin Odell and Michelle Le Blanc wrote that although unlikely to appeal to a broader Ghibli audience, the film is interesting for focusing on themes that appear in Takahata's anime. Alex Dudok de Wit of Cartoon Brew described it as 'Takahata’s most meditative work — and his most pedantic.'