KAWAMOTO Kihachiro

Born in Tokyo, 1925. Entered Toho in 1946 and became involved as assistant creator. He became a freelance puppet artist. Formed a production group with IIZAWA Tadasu, HIJIKATA Shigemi, SUMIDA Yujiro. Studied under MOCHINAGA Tadahito who had returned from China in 1953. He then went to former Czechoslovakia in 1963 to study at the STUDIO TRNKA. After presenting his independent film, Hanaori in 1968, he kept creating many one after another masterpiece. He was awarded Shiju Ho-sho in 1988 and Kunyonto Kyokujitsu Shoju-sho in 1995.