Japanology Plus S12E13 · Tosa: Blessings and Perils of the Kuroshio Current

Overview

Peter Barakan visits the region of Tosa, famous for the mighty Kuroshio Current and bonito fishing. It is also the place where the high priest Kobo Daishi is said to have attained enlightenment.

Torrents

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Episodes

1. 1 1. Onigiri2025-01-09 · 28mOnigiri are becoming a global phenomenon. Colorful new styles are generating a buzz on social media, and convenience stores continue to develop new products. We investigate the lat
2. 2 2. Repair2025-01-23 · 28mAs the need for circular economies grows, there's a new focus on repairing products. We look at how people in Japan maintain items using approaches ranging from traditional kintsug
3. 3 3. Japanophiles: Johan Leutwiler2025-02-13 · 28mJohan Leutwiler, from Switzerland, is currently Japan's only foreign swordsmith. In a Japanophiles interview, he tells us about being drawn to the world of Japanese swords and swor
4. 4 4. Octopuses2025-02-27 · 28mOctopuses are not only eaten in Japan but also depicted in works of art. They may be regarded as objects of worship or even kept as pets. We untangle Japan's long relationship with
5. 5 5. Leather Shoes2025-03-13 · 28mJapan's bespoke leather shoes are admired around the world, and there is even a Japanese leader in the realm of shoeshining. We explore the skills and services in Japan's leather s
6. 6 6. Torii2025-04-10 · 28mFound all over Japan, torii are gateways to Shinto shrines and the deities within. We meet people trying to rebuild torii after a huge earthquake and examine what torii mean to Jap
7. 7 7. Mamachari2025-04-24 · 28mMamachari bikes, which originated in Japan, are designed to meet the needs of all kinds of people. They even helped women enter the workforce. We discover what makes them so unique
8. 8 8. Japanophiles: Stephen Turner2025-05-08 · 28mStephen Turner, from the UK, loves Japanese trains so much that his passion became his job. We join him on a trip through Chiba Prefecture and explore the appeal of Japan's regiona
9. 9 9. Family Restaurants2025-05-22 · 28mFamily restaurants are uniquely Japanese establishments that are also popular with solo diners. We see how innovative services have helped them survive the ups and downs of the res
10. 10 10. Natto2025-06-05 · 28mWith its unique smell and stickiness, people either love or hate natto. But eating natto has been linked to longevity, and a substance in this powerful food could even help solve e
11. 11 11. Stationery2025-06-19 · 28mJapanese stationery is famous for its quality, design, and functionality. We look at many unique items, including products for research labs, left-handed users, and even writing in
12. 12 12. Tosa: The Life of John Manjiro2025-07-10 · 28mOnce a poor fisher boy, John Manjiro became the first Japanese person to receive a formal education in the US and played a key role in Japan's modernization. Peter Barakan visits h
13. 13 13. Tosa: Blessings and Perils of the Kuroshio Current2025-07-17 · 28mPeter Barakan visits the region of Tosa, famous for the mighty Kuroshio Current and bonito fishing. It is also the place where the high priest Kobo Daishi is said to have attained
14. 14 14. Japanophiles: Johan Nordstrom2025-07-31 · 28mJohan Nordstrom, a film scholar from Sweden, specializes in early Japanese cinema. He tells us about movies from over a century ago and Japan's unique tradition of live narration f
15. 15 15. Origami2025-08-14 · 28mOrigami is the art of folding paper into a wide variety of shapes, from animals and flowers to highly complex designs. Lately, its principles have even been applied to space explor
16. 16 16. Sake2025-08-28 · 28mSake is enjoying a global boom, but in Japan, breweries are facing a crisis as consumption falls. We explore the future of sake through artisanal skills, technology, and a new gene
17. 17 17. Offices2025-09-11 · 28mJapanese offices used to prioritize order and efficiency, but today they're becoming spaces that foster conversation, with cafe-like layouts and even saunas. We explore how the wor
18. 18 18. Japanophiles: Ziaul Karim2025-09-25 · 28mZiaul Karim, an agricultural scientist from Bangladesh, practices unique farming methods in Okayama to show how accessible agriculture can be. He works with locals to grow and use
19. 19 19. Bookstores2025-10-09 · 28mThe number of bookstores in Japan is decreasing, but both major chains and independent stores are finding creative ways to attract book lovers. We look at the next chapter for Japa
20. 20 20. Convenience Stores2025-10-23 · 28mJapan's convenience stores stock more than just food. Some sell clothes or provide administrative services. Others even use avatars and robots alongside human employees. We look at
21. 21 21. Sleep2025-11-06 · 28mInterest in sleep has been growing in Japan. From futuristic high-tech beds to advanced sleepwear, many new products are designed to improve sleep quality. We look at Japan's lates
22. 22 22. Japanophiles: Astrid Klein & Mark Dytham2025-11-20 · 28mFor over 35 years, Italian-born Astrid Klein and UK-born Mark Dytham have worked together as architects in Tokyo, designing not just buildings but also spaces for communication and
23. 23 23. Hagi: The Life of Yoshida Shoin2025-12-11 · 28mThe 19th-century educator Yoshida Shoin lived only 29 years, yet his teachings helped shape Japan's modernization. His words, published as books, remain popular today. We visit his
24. 24 24. Hagi: Castle Town Forged by Magma2025-12-18 · 28mHagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture is dotted with volcanoes. Their volcanic rock was used to shape the townscape, and the area's unique clay and soil fostered its pottery tradition and c