67 pages • 2 hours read
Spirited Away
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Authorial Context
Spirited Away, Book 1 is based on a film of the same named, written and directed by Hiyao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli. As referenced in the included author biography, Miyazaki is the most popular animator in Japan. He has produced several films, all of which received critical and popular acclaim in Japan and worldwide. Miyazaki’s works often focus on spirituality and nature, and he is inspired by Japanese (especially Shinto) folklore. Spirited Away was the highest-grossing film in history in Japan for 19 years. Miyazaki was inspired to create the film when he witnessed the sullen state of a close friend’s 10-year-old daughter. His films are also motivated by Miyazaki’s dissatisfaction with modern children’s entertainment; he wishes to insert something more meaningful, traditional, detailed, and vibrant into his work.
Cultural Context
Large portions of the plot line, characters, and themes of Spirited Away are inspired by Japanese folklore and the Shinto religion. Examples of the Shinto religion found throughout Book 1 include the Hokora, the Dosojin, and the Suijin. As her father drives through the forest, Chihiro notices Hokora—discarded in a pile as if the religion is being forgotten. A Dosojin guards the entrance to
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