Japanese Silent Cinema and the Benshi Tradition (1910-1930)

1. First public cinematograph showings in Japan

   Feb 15, 1897Labels: Lumi re, Osaka screenings

   • NDL
   • Matsuda Film

2. Early Japanese films adopt live spoken accompaniment

   Jan 1, 1899Labels: Kabuki scenes, Live narrators

   • Matsuda Film

3. Yokota Shōkai expands exhibition and importing

   Jan 1, 1901Labels: Yokota Sh, Film importers

   • Yokota Sh kai

4. Nikkatsu formed as a major film studio

   Sep 10, 1912Labels: Nikkatsu, Studio consolidation

   • Britannica
   • Nikkatsu

5. Tenkatsu emerges as Nikkatsu’s main rival

   Jan 1, 1914Labels: Tenkatsu, Studio rivalry

   • Tenkatsu

6. Pure Film reformers challenge benshi-centered filmmaking

   Jan 1, 1918Labels: Pure Film, Benshi debate

   • Pure Film
   • Glow of Life

7. Taikatsu studio founded with “pure film” ambitions

   Apr 1, 1920Labels: Taikatsu, Pure Film

   • Taikatsu
   • Pure Film

8. Shochiku enters film production and builds Kamata studio

   Nov 8, 1920Labels: Shochiku, Kamata studio

   • Shochiku
   • Pure Film

9. Benshi remain central to Japan’s “silent” experience

   Jan 1, 1922Labels: Benshi tradition, Silent exhibition

   • Japan Society

10. Great Kantō Earthquake disrupts film production and venues

    Sep 1, 1923Labels: Great Kant, Tokyo Yokohama

    • Britannica
    • Shochiku

11. A Page of Madness premieres with notable benshi narration

    Jul 10, 1926Labels: A Page, Musei Tokugawa

    • Page of Madness
    • Musei Tokugawa

12. Ozu begins directing within a silent, benshi-supported system

    Jan 1, 1927Labels: Yasujir Ozu, Benshi-supported system

    • Sword Penitence
    • Japan Society

13. First feature-length Japanese “talkie” accelerates change

    Jan 1, 1931Labels: The Neighbor, Shochiku

    • Neighbor s Wife
    • Matsuda Film

14. Benshi tradition starts to recede as talkies spread

    Jan 1, 1932Labels: Benshi decline, Sound conversion

    • Matsuda Film
    • Neighbor s Wife