By 
This time, I had a recording session with animation director Matsuura. Through our conversation, his passion and philosophy for creation were deeply conveyed. I would like to delve further into his history, the way of thinking he has cultivated, and the background and production process of his independent work, “火づくり”. I will break it down into simple chapters to discuss various topics.
Passion and Influence from Childhood
The roots of Matsuura’s creative activities are strongly reflected in the diverse influences from his childhood. His first passion for manga began with Fujiko F. Fujio’s “ドラえもん”, and he has been influenced by numerous works such as “ドラゴンボール”, “アキラ”, and “寄生獣”. These works nurtured Matsuura’s sensibility and became a source of creative energy.
In particular, “ドラえもん” was Matsuura’s first manga experience and had a strong influence on storytelling and character creation. His attraction to the tagline “violent and beautiful” from “アキラ” offers a glimpse into Matsuura’s creative philosophy. It is understandable that his works, built on such manga experiences, reflect a stance that values the depiction of complex human emotions and situations rather than simple good versus evil.
Creative Philosophy and Worldview
Matsuura gained insights about the unspoken understandings of society from childhood experiences like the “little person in the stomach” and “Santa Claus.” These episodes indicate that Matsuura is sensitive to the boundary between reality and fiction, often reflecting that ambiguity in his works. This episode made me feel that his works are not just entertainment but contain deep philosophical inquiries.
Synergy of Music and Visuals
In Matsuura’s works, music plays an important role. The music of Geinou Yamashirogumi in “AKIRA” and his encounter with his brother, Kurou, show that music is a significant source of inspiration in his creations. Quoting Mamoru Oshii’s words, “Half of a movie is music,” Matsuura emphasizes the synergy between music and visuals. The way he selects and uses music in his works functions not merely as background sound but as an integral part of the story.
Matsuura’s Encounter with Satoshi Kon
Reflecting on his encounter with director Satoshi Kon, Matsuura felt it was a moment that greatly influenced his career. Particularly memorable was when he showed Kon the flyer for “ホッタラケの島”, and Kon remarked, “Nothing from what Japanese animation has cultivated is being utilized.” This single statement was a significant shock for Matsuura and provided important insights for his subsequent career development.
Kon’s words contained deep insights and critiques about animation. What Matsuura felt at that moment was likely a sense of disappointment regarding the tradition of Japanese animation and its lack of inheritance, beyond just a technical critique. This observation may have prompted Matsuura to reevaluate animation, encouraging him to put in even more effort in his future works.
Inheritance and Innovation in Japanese Animation
Kon’s words, “Nothing from what Japanese animation has cultivated is being utilized,” carry profound meaning. Japanese animation has built its unique expression techniques and aesthetics over a long history. However, this is also a critique that these traditional techniques are not being sufficiently utilized amidst modern technological advancements.
Matsuura, too, was prompted by these words to reflect on his works and take on new challenges. His works show attempts to integrate traditional animation aesthetics with the introduction of CG technology. This demonstrates a pursuit of new expressions while inheriting the spirit of Japanese animation, going beyond mere technical evolution.
Episode with Mamoru Oshii
Another significant encounter for Matsuura was his dialogue with director Mamoru Oshii. Particularly shocking was Oshii’s statement, “I haven’t opened Photoshop in years.” This remark indicated that for a director, vision and communication skills are as important as technical skills.
Additionally, Oshii’s words, “You can save what you want to do for next time,” teach the importance of having a long-term perspective rather than trying to accomplish everything at once. This highlights the significance of planning and sustained effort in creative work, offering profound insights and a sense of patience.
Oshii’s words taught Matsuura the importance of having a broad perspective that goes beyond the viewpoint of a production manager. This helped him establish a unique position as a director while utilizing his experience as a production manager in his later career.
The experiences Matsuura gained from these directors’ words serve as invaluable lessons for young creators. His journey illustrates the importance of pursuing one’s vision without being confined to techniques or methods of expression. Furthermore, his attitude of learning from various encounters and words and connecting them to his growth will likely inspire many creators.
Themes and Background of “火づくり”
“火づくり” is a work modeled after Sasuke, a real-life scissor blacksmith in Sakai City, Osaka. This historical blacksmith shop has been in operation since the late Edo period, and the current fifth-generation blacksmith, Yasuhiro Hirakawa, continues this tradition. Matsuura became interested in this theme through a connection with his friend Aoi, who supports Sasuke.
Moved by the sharpness of the scissors crafted by the blacksmith, Matsuura decided to express that technique and beauty through animation. The emotion he felt upon holding a sharp pair of scissors was something that could not be captured by sight or sound alone; it was a sensation felt throughout his entire body. How to express this in animation became one of the significant challenges of “火づくり”.
Particularly noteworthy in “火づくり” is the blacksmithing scene. Matsuura focused on depicting the precision and beauty of craftsmanship through this scene. The portrayal of the scene where the scissors are forged pursues visual realism while utilizing the rich expressiveness unique to animation. By conveying the texture of materials such as heat and hardness through sight and sound, it evokes a sensation that the viewer can feel throughout their body.
Production Process and Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding played a significant role in the production of “火づくり”. Matsuura gathered funds from many supporters through crowdfunding to support his independent work. Notably, the participation of the music unit UQiYO became a factor that further enhanced the quality of the work.
The collaboration with Yuqi from UQiYO began when Matsuura fell in love with their music. Inspired by their song “TWiLiGHT”, Matsuura attended their live performance and approached them directly. This proactive attitude led to the collaboration with UQiYO, successfully adding deep musical elements to the work.
The Relationship Between Physicality and the Work
What Matsuura aims to convey through his work is the importance of physicality. In modern society, there is a tendency to lean towards visual and auditory experiences, but he believes it is essential to re-recognize the value of sensations felt throughout the body. The sensations that can be felt through the work of a blacksmith, as well as the weight and sharpness felt upon holding a tool, are experiences that cannot be captured by sight or sound alone, and expressing this through animation is one of the goals of “火づくり”.
Sasuke’s Scissors and 150 Years of History
Matsuura expressed that when he held Sasuke’s scissors, he felt the 150 years of history and the thoughts of the craftsmen behind them. He found great significance in expressing this history and tradition through animation, considering how to inherit and convey long-standing techniques and traditions amidst the evolution of modern technology and culture as an important challenge.
“火づくり” is not merely a record of craftsmanship but aims to evoke deep emotions in viewers by depicting the history, culture, and the thoughts of those who inherit it.
In Conclusion
Matsuura’s “火づくり” is a work filled with his philosophy and passion for animation production. Created with the support of many backers through crowdfunding, this work emphasizes sensations felt throughout the body, transcending visual and auditory experiences.
I hope that Matsuura continues to pursue the possibilities of animation by merging tradition and innovation through new works, and I also wish for “火づくり” to be seen by many people, increasing opportunities to share its impact.
(Written by Yuki Sakoda)
By 
By 
