Journeys in Japan S12E22 · Legacies of Samurai Culture

Overview

When people think of the samurai they imagine fearless warriors skilled in the martial arts. But that's just one side. In this episode, we look at how elite samurai promoted artisanal culture and works of art even outside Edo (old Tokyo) and Kyoto. We trace their footsteps in Kyushu, Ishikawa Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture and Aomori Prefecture.

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. Kyoto: Tango Chirimen2021-01-05 · 28mThe Kyotango area of northern Kyoto Prefecture is known as the birthplace of Tango Chirimen, a variety of crepe silk with a finely crimped texture and luxuriously soft feel. For 30
2. 2 2. Tsu: A Path to the Heart2021-01-26 · 28mTsu in Mie Prefecture prospered as a castle town during the Edo period (1603-1868). Situated close to Ise Jingu, one of Japan's most significant Shinto shrines, it has been a cross
3. 3 3. Tsushima: Slow Living on a Frontline Island2021-02-09 · 28mThe island of Tsushima, in Nagasaki Prefecture, lies between Japan and South Korea, just 50 kilometers from the South Korean port city of Busan. Thanks to its location, the island
4. 4 4. Moji: Gateway to the World2021-02-16 · 28mMoji, just over 800 kilometers west of Tokyo, is on the northernmost tip of Kyushu. Facing the Kanmon Strait -- an easy access route for Japan's main island and mainland Asia -- Mo
5. 5 5. Frozen Beauty at Dawn and Dusk: Hokkaido in Midwinter2021-02-23 · 28mHokkaido Prefecture in mid-winter is a frigid land of snow and ice, where temperatures can drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius for weeks on end. But this is the perfect time to see
6. 6 6. Poetic Beauty of Wintry Kussharo2021-03-30 · 28mWinter in Hokkaido Prefecture... It's a fascinating time to visit for the stunning snowscapes and natural phenomena caused by the severe cold. Kussharo, located in a huge caldera,
7. 7 7. Otaru: Herring and Glassware; Keeping Alive Otaru's Tradition2021-05-03 · 28mThe city of Otaru, on the Sea of Japan coast of Hokkaido Prefecture, was founded about 150 years ago and grew rapidly as the main port for shipping coal from mines in the region. I
8. 8 8. Eye on Nagoya: A City's Identity through Architecture2021-05-11 · 28mNagoya is in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan. While it is sometimes compared unfavorably to Tokyo, Kyoto Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture, there is more to the city than meets the
9. 9 9. Yamatokoriyama: Water Brimming with Goldfish2021-05-25 · 28mElegant and charming, goldfish have captured the hearts of people in Japan for centuries. One of the main areas where they are produced is the historic city of Yamatokoriyama in Na
10. 10 10. Minami Shinshu: A Solo Alps Journey2021-06-08 · 28mOutdoor guide Daniel Moore gets a taste of deep mountain life on a drive around Minami Shinshu in southern Nagano Prefecture. On his way he stays in an abandoned old post town, hik
11. 11 11. Rainy Nights, Summer Mysteries2021-06-29 · 28mAs spring changes to summer in Japan, there is a period of about a month when rainy, cloudy conditions persist. This transitional season is known as Tsuyu. On this episode of Journ
12. 12 12. Go Deep! Underwater Paradise2021-07-06 · 28mIslands -- stringing along 3,500 kilometers, north to south, in the Pacific -- so narrow that no point is ever far from the sea. Coastlines alone spanning 35,000 kilometers… We dip
13. 13 13. Toba Islands: Life and Love in a Traditional Community2021-07-13 · 28mThe Ise-Shima National Park is one of Japan's most popular sightseeing areas, but not so many people visit the islands that lie offshore from Toba City. On this episode of Journeys
14. 14 14. Cultivating a Taste for Summer Vegetables2021-07-20 · 28mBecause Japan's landmass extends north-south through a number of different climatic zones, farmers can cultivate a wide variety of different produce, reflecting the local environme
15. 15 15. The Trail to Chiyanoki: Mountain Biking Revives Village2021-07-27 · 28mA stunning mountain bike course has been carved into a mountain of a Genkai-shuraku -- a marginal hamlet where more than 50% of the population is aged 65 or over -- in Saga City. T
16. 16 16. Lifting the Spirit through Architecture: Nikko Okinawa Osaka2021-08-03 · 28mOn Journeys in Japan, we've discovered the history and culture of many places through their architecture. On this episode, we revisit Nikko, Okinawa Prefecture and Osaka Prefecture
17. 17 17. Summer Festivals to Celebrate Around Japan2021-08-10 · 28mFestivals are an essential element of summer in Japan. Held around the country, some feature music and dancing, others spectacular lights or massive floats. On this special episode
18. 18 18. Ishinomaki: A Decade On - Remembering and Moving Ahead2021-08-17 · 28mLocated on the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, Ishinomaki City long flourished through fisheries. The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake ravaged the city, leaving 4,000 people dead or mi
19. 19 19. Ascending the Sacred Peaks2021-08-24 · 28mModern mountaineering was born in Europe in the second half of the 18th century. Offering vigorous exercise along with magnificent views, the sport of Alpinism soon caught on aroun
20. 20 20. An Ode to Live Music2021-09-21 · 28mWith the world pandemic, music venues across the globe have gone silent. So this time on Journeys in Japan, American actor Charles Glover takes us back in time to get lost in live
21. 21 21. Creative Solutions Spark Rural Revival2021-09-28 · 28mAcross Japan, communities highlight their distinctive charms to attract visitors. On this episode of Journeys in Japan we revisit 3 locales that have come up with creative ways to
22. 22 22. Legacies of Samurai Culture2021-10-05 · 28mWhen people think of the samurai they imagine fearless warriors skilled in the martial arts. But that's just one side. In this episode, we look at how elite samurai promoted artisa
23. 23 23. Hokkaido: Catching the Northern Lights2021-10-19 · 28mOn Journeys in Japan, photographer Alfie Goodrich framed his lens on Hokkaido Prefecture's Muroran and Rausu in 2019. Muroran is an industrial city that flourished on steel. Though
24. 24 24. Oki, Iki, Tsushima: Frontline Islands in the Stream2021-10-26 · 28mJapan has about 6,800 islands that are larger than 100 meters in circumference. More than 500 of them are classified as "remote border islands." On this episode of Journeys in Japa
25. 25 25. Shinto Rituals: Linking Communities and Deities2021-11-02 · 28mSince ancient times, Shinto rituals have been held at sacred sites across Japan, bringing people together and creating bonds between the participants through their shared faith. Ma
26. 26 26. Northern Alps for All Seasons2021-11-16 · 28mThe Northern Alps, which extend some 150 kilometers, are the most popular among climbers in Japan. Many of its peaks tower more than 2,000 meters with 10 topping 3,000. Along the r
27. 27 27. Rising from the Ruins2021-11-23 · 28mAround the turn of the 20th century, mining towns sprang up around Japan to meet the nation's growing demand for mineral resources. Communities flourished and grew rapidly, develop
28. 28 28. Michinoku the Legend of Gold2021-12-14 · 28mThis time, we trace Japan's legend of gold. The precious metal was actually first mined in Michinoku -- an old name for northern Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures -- in the 8th century
29. 29 29. Kasama: A Pottery Community in Evolution2021-12-28 · 28mThe traditional pottery town of Kasama lies about 100 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, about 1.5 hours away by train or car. Surrounded by verdant hills, it enjoys an abundant natura