Japanology Plus (2014)
Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai, and so much more. Local experts discuss their passions at fascinating length, and American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences the food, practices, and cultures in each episode in depth. Viewers will finish each half hour episode with a new understanding of an area of Japanese life through demonstrative videos and explanations, all delivered respectfully and true to the Japanese way of life.
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Episodes
Next episode: S13E19 · 2026-10-15
SpecialsSeason 1Season 2Season 3Season 4Season 5Season 6Season 7Season 8Season 9Season 10Season 11Season 12Season 13
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1. Roof Tilers2019-01-08 · 28mIf there's one thing that makes Japanese homes immediately identifiable, it's their roofs, or to be more specific, the tiles that make up those roofs. These intricate tiles, which
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2. Japanophiles: Thomas Bertrand2019-01-29 · 28mThomas Bertrand, from France, is the proprietor of a bento box shop in Kyoto. Bertrand's shop stocks hundreds of designs, in both traditional and modern styles. He ships products t
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3. Hidden Christians: Part 12019-02-19 · 28mWhen the West first established trade relations with Japan, one of its major exports, alongside goods, was religion. Brought in by foreign missionaries, Christianity began to catch
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4. Hidden Christians: Part 22019-02-26 · 28mBetween the 17th and 19th centuries, Christianity was banned in Japan. During the ban, believers faced unimaginable persecution. Some, however, held onto their faith and devised wa
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5. Wood: Culture2019-03-05 · 28m70% of Japan's land is covered in forests and woodland. For centuries, wood has been used for furniture, buildings, and tools. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is the cultur
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6. Wood: Carpentry2019-03-12 · 28m70% of Japan is covered in forests. The Japanese have been using wood as a building material for hundreds of years, and the nation is home to the world's oldest wooden structures.
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7. Japanophiles: Oussouby Sacko2019-03-19 · 28mWhen Oussouby Sacko, from the Republic of Mali in western Africa, arrived in Japan, he knew very little about the language or culture. Nearly three decades later, in April 2018, he
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8. Meat2019-03-26 · 28mJapan offers a huge variety of meat dishes, including sumptuous wagyu beef and casual chicken skewers. But these highlights of Japanese cuisine are recent developments; meat consum
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9. Popular Theater2019-04-02 · 28m"Taishu engeki," or "popular theater," is a fun and engaging form of entertainment that is intended to appeal to everyone. Typical performances are period dramas, telling stories o
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10. Oni: Japanese Ogres2019-04-16 · 28mOni -- Japanese ogres -- appear to be halfway between humans and beasts, with animal horns and scowling expressions. They come from ancient folklore, but are a big part of modern J
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11. Japanese Dog Breeds2019-04-30 · 28mThere are 6 dog breeds native to Japan, including Akita and Shiba Inu. Each has adapted to the region of its origin, but they all have pointy ears, a curved tail, and an unwavering
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12. Japanophiles: Peter MacMillan2019-05-21 · 28mAfter studying English literature and philosophy, Peter MacMillan moved from his native Ireland to Japan to become a university lecturer. He wrote the first full English translatio
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13. Konamon: Flour-based Cuisine2019-06-11 · 28mKonamon means "flour-based cuisine," but in Osaka Prefecture the word generally refers to 2 specific dishes: takoyaki (bite-sized batter balls with pieces of octopus inside) and Ok
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14. Frozen Food2019-06-25 · 28mFrozen food exists all over the world, but Japan is at the cutting edge of research and development. Modern products are almost identical to fresh goods both in texture and nutriti
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15. Slippers2019-07-09 · 28mIn Japan, people often wear slippers inside their homes, schools or workplaces. It's a well-known custom, but how did it come about, and how is it evolving in modern Japan? This ti
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16. Japanophiles: Ondrej Hybl2019-07-23 · 28mKyogen is a traditional form of Japanese theater. It's comedy, performed on a bare stage with imaginative movements and dialogue. When Ondrej Hybl, from the Czech Republic, first s
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17. Tokyo: Water2019-07-30 · 28mTokyo was once known as the "city of water," but many of its rivers and waterways are now hidden from view. This time on Japanology Plus, we look at water in Japan's capital from v
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18. Tokyo: Backstreets and Alleys2019-08-06 · 28mTokyo is an energetic, bustling metropolis. But take a few steps off the main streets, and it reveals a different side to its character. This time on Japanology Plus, we explore th
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19. Mechanical Dolls2019-08-27 · 28mKarakuri-ningyo, or mechanical dolls, can be regarded as traditional robots. Their technology is not just interesting but actually useful even today. This time on Japanology Plus,
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20. Swords2019-09-10 · 28mIn Japan, sword fighting is a common feature of period dramas. But Japanese swords, katana, were more than weapons. They were used in rituals, and held as status symbols. Today, th
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21. Bathrooms2019-10-01 · 28mIn Japan, the bath has a special status. And for Japanese, using one is an essential part of daily life. It's not just a place to wash yourself, but a chance to relax, reflect on y
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22. Japanophiles: David Atkinson2019-10-08 · 28mFor years, David Atkinson from the United Kingdom worked in Japan as a respected financial analyst. His career took an unexpected turn when he became the CEO of one of the country'
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23. Monkeys2019-10-15 · 28mJapanese macaques, a species of monkey unique to Japan, are a common sight in the country's forests and mountains. Much-loved for their expressive faces, these monkeys are sometime
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24. Banknotes2019-11-05 · 28mJapan's paper money incorporates some of the most advanced security features in the world, including pin-sharp watermarks, and microscopic text. This time on Japanology Plus, our t
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25. Plasterwork2019-11-12 · 28mPlasterwork has been an indispensable feature of Japanese architecture for hundreds of years. You can see it on the walls of castles, storehouses, and everyday homes. Using a humbl
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26. Japanophiles: Wolfgang Loeger2019-11-19 · 28mIn 1987, Wolfgang Loeger left his native Austria and came to Japan. After nearly 3 decades as a ski instructor, he moved to Tokyo and became a taxi driver. Foreign taxi drivers are
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27. Insects2019-12-03 · 28mJapan shares a close relationship with the insect kingdom. The lifecycles of different bugs mark the changing of the seasons. People of all ages enjoy collecting them in the wild,
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28. Donburi: Rice Bowls2019-12-10 · 28m"Donburi" is a bowl of rice with various toppings. It's quick, cheap and tasty, making it one of Japan's favorite comfort foods. A huge number of options range from the classic Kat
Cast
Peter BarakanSelf - HostImages
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