Straw movies, also known as "katsudo shashin" in Japanese, represent an early and often overlooked form of animation predating the widespread adoption of cel animation. They were created by drawing directly onto individual frames of film, often using ink or dyes. These rudimentary animations, typically short and simple, were then projected, creating the illusion of movement. While surviving examples are rare, straw movies offer valuable insight into the development of animation techniques and the early history of cinema, showcasing ingenuity and artistic expression in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
