Films of the Sea

[Ken Shima]

Hello there,

I was reading through a review from Shin-Eiga magazine about the 1953  
version of "Kanikosen/The Crab Factory Ship" and came across the  
somewhat dubious claim that this film was the first sea film (kaiyo  
mono) in Japan. "わが国最初の海洋物の大スペクタクルと 
して、ドラマ化しようとする". But it seems that there could  
have been a number of sea films for the Navy right or dealing with  
Navy or fisherman themes prior to 1953. My knowledge is lacking in  
Navy or sea film history and I was wondering if anyone can  
substantiate or deny this claim of the 1953 Kanikosen as the Japan's  
first sea film? Just to be clear, this film was shot on location on a  
fishing ship in the Bering sea, so the claim could be about an ocean  
film being shot on location in the sea rather than a mock-up or studio  
set. Any ideas? Films?

Kenneth Shima