Japanology Plus S03E22 · Toilets

Overview

Toilets in Japan date back 2,000 years. A modern one typically features a heated seat and electronic bidet. Recent trends include new toilets for the elderly and infirm, and for use after a disaster. Our expert guest, architect Shiohiko Takahashi, is a leading researcher and designer of toilets who has surveyed public toilets throughout Japan. This time on Japanology Plus, we'll see how the Japanese relate to an essential everyday item. And in Plus One, a look at state-of-the-art public toilets.

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. Japanophiles: Maud Archambault2016-01-07 · 28mThis time, we present an installment of our special Japanophiles series, which features lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Minyo is Japanese folk music, passed down
2. 2 2. Silk2016-01-14 · 28mWhat gives Japanese kimonos their luxurious appeal? Pure silk, a natural fiber made from the cocoons of the silkworm. Strong and elastic, silk is used to make strings for the shami
3. 3 3. Underground Tokyo2016-01-28 · 28mHidden beneath Tokyo are underground spaces of many kinds: intricate webs of subways and roads, tunnels carrying utilities, and even shopping malls. This time on Japanology Plus, o
4. 4 4. Earthquake Preparedness2016-02-11 · 28mFrom volcanic eruptions to torrential rain, Japan is one of the world's most disaster-prone countries. Earthquakes, too, are common. To ensure people are ready to look after themse
5. 5 5. Japanophiles: Jorge Cabeza Fernandez2016-02-25 · 28mThis time, we present an installment of our special Japanophiles series, which features lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. With economies in Asia growing, air trave
6. 6 6. Japanophiles: Pico Iyer2016-03-03 · 28mThis time, we present an installment of our special Japanophiles series, which features lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Japan serves as the base for the essayist
7. 7 7. Okinawan Dance2016-03-17 · 28mOkinawa Prefecture, the southern tip of Japan, was once home to the ancient independent kingdom of Ryukyu. Through centuries of trade with other countries, the islands of Okinawa d
8. 8 8. Whisky2016-04-07 · 28mWhile Japan is halfway around the globe from the world's traditional whisky-making centers, in recent years premium Japanese whiskies have been winning top prizes in big competitio
9. 9 9. Quest for Perfect Skin2016-04-14 · 28mJapanese women are among the world's most passionate about skin care. For centuries, elite and commoners alike have embraced the quest for perfect skin, with Japan's climate and be
10. 10 10. Bladed Tools2016-04-21 · 28mIn this edition of of Japanology Plus, host Peter Barakan pays a visit to the city of Sakai, which is part of Osaka Prefecture in Western Japan. Sakai has been known for bladesmith
11. 11 11. Family Crests2016-05-05 · 28mPlants, all kinds of creatures and the beauty of nature are among the inspirations for Japanese family crests. Tens of thousands of different crests exist. Simple yet highly sophis
12. 12 12. Breakfast2016-05-12 · 28mIn Japan, a traditional breakfast consists of steamed rice with miso soup and other side dishes. But these days noodles, pancakes, bread and granola are among the many other popula
13. 13 13. Footwear2016-05-19 · 28mFootwear has taken many different forms in many different cultures, but somehow Japan seems to have come up with more variety than most. Through the centuries, cleverly catering to
14. 14 14. Running2016-06-02 · 28mJapan is a country of 10 million runners and some 2,000 open-entry running events, the most popular of which attract large crowds and live nationwide TV coverage. Japan loves not j
15. 15 15. Emoji2016-06-16 · 28mMessages and e-mail are full of emoji, a means of communication that was invented in Japan. Emoji debuted in the 1990s as a way to add emotion to messages on a small screen, and pe
16. 16 16. Ekiben2016-06-23 · 28mIn Japan, no leisure trip by rail would be complete without an ekiben: a boxed meal sold at the station that is packed with local flavor. Ekiben are nearly as old as Japan's railwa
17. 17 17. Bicycles2016-06-30 · 28mJapan's first bicycles were made by former gunsmiths around the 1870s. Mid-20th century innovations aimed at women gave rise to the "mama-chari," a type of bicycle for mothers with
18. 18 18. Kimono2016-07-07 · 28mA garment that embodies Japanese tradition, the kimono fascinates people the world over. It took centuries for the kimono to reach the form familiar to us today, and at every stage
19. 19 19. Kokeshi Dolls2016-07-28 · 28mThe plain, unassuming wooden dolls called kokeshi are believed to have originated about 200 years ago in hot spring resorts in northeast Japan. A popular souvenir for children, the
20. 20 20. Shinise: Long-Established Businesses2016-08-04 · 28mBusiness. It’s a dog-eat-dog world. And nowhere is that more true than in Tokyo’s uptown Shibuya neighborhood, with its high rents and discerning customers. For those who work in t
21. 21 21. Japanophiles: Rezaul Karim Chowdhury2016-08-11 · 28mThe latest edition of our periodical Japanophiles series focuses on a Bangladeshi who was drawn to a career in Japan by a bond that goes beyond such cosmic coincidences: Rezaul Kar
22. 22 22. Toilets2016-08-18 · 28mToilets in Japan date back 2,000 years. A modern one typically features a heated seat and electronic bidet. Recent trends include new toilets for the elderly and infirm, and for us
23. 23 23. Bridges2016-08-25 · 28mFew countries in the world can boast as many bridges as Japan. Due to a mountainous terrain and many rivers, Japan has bridges of all shapes and sizes, and is a world leader in bri
24. 24 24. A Nation of Singers2016-09-01 · 28mEnjoyed by Japanese of all ages, choral singing is a feature of school events, tour buses, baseball games and various other everyday situations. Group singing comes from a backgrou
25. 25 25. Restoring Castles2016-09-08 · 28mJapan's castles are a legacy of the samurai era. To maintain their splendor, they sometimes require intricate repairs, such as moving a heavy keep, replacing thousands of roof tile
26. 26 26. Volcanoes2016-09-29 · 28mJapan is a volcanic hotspot, with 7 percent of all the world's volcanoes. The archipelago actually contains 110 active volcanoes, and throughout history, Japan has been at the merc
27. 27 27. School Club Activites2016-10-06 · 28mSecondary schools in Japan offer extracurricular pursuits where students join sports teams, or clubs reflecting a wide range of cultural interests. Here, they learn values like coo
28. 28 28. Smells2016-10-13 · 28mBreath mints, sprays and countless other products that tackle body odors offer evidence of widespread concern about smells. Japan has certified professionals who investigate offens
29. 29 29. Paper2016-10-20 · 28mNo traditional Japanese home is complete without items that incorporate paper, including doors and sliding screens. Japanese papermaking technology continues to advance in the form
30. 30 30. Japanophiles: Paul Lorimer2016-11-03 · 28mThis time, we present an installment of our special Japanophiles series, which features lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. The trademark alcoholic beverage of Okina
31. 31 31. Katsuobushi2016-12-01 · 28mKatsuobushi: hard blocks of smoked skipjack tuna that are shaved to make flakes which add goodness to soup stock. A method of smoking skipjack was developed centuries ago, and the
32. 32 32. Day Care for Kids2016-12-08 · 28mWith more women in Japan entering the workforce, day care for small children is a hot topic. While big cities have too few day-care center, elsewhere many are closing down. This ti
33. 33 33. Sweets and Snacks2016-12-15 · 28mFrom a rainbow of flavored chocolates to regional treats, Japanese sweets and snacks are tasty, and great to look at. Various kinds of snack foods became widely sold more than a ce
34. 34 34. Hairdressing2016-12-22 · 28mOne survey of foreign visitors to Japan revealed that 40% of women from other parts of Asia want to try a Japanese beauty parlor. This is one indication of the great appeal of Japa