Yasuji Murata

Yasuji Murata (村田安司) was a pioneering animator who helped develop the art of anime in Japan. Studying the animation techniques of Sanae Yamamoto, Murata produced dozens of mostly educational films at the Yokohama Cinema studio featuring such characters as Momotarō and Norakuro. Along with Noburō Ōfuji, he was renowned as a master of cutout animation. Among his students were such animators as Yoshitarō Kataoka.

Selected filmography

 * Dōbutsu Orinpikku taikai, 1928 [Animal Olympics]
 * Tarō-san no kisha, 1929 [Taro's Train]
 * Saru Masamune, 1930 [The Monkey Masamune]
 * Oira no yakyū, 1930
 * Sora no Momotarō, 1931
 * Norakuro gochō, 1934