
Zuigan-ji (2016)
Majestic Zuigan-ji Temple in northeast Japan is a national cultural treasure. Completed 400 years ago by the feudal lord of the region, Date Masamune, it’s famous as a lavish and glorious example of the culture of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (mid-1500s to 1600). The main hall is decorated with beautiful period-style art created by painters and master craftsmen summoned from Kyoto. With ground subsidence now causing its pillars to tilt, Zuigan-ji has been undergoing comprehensive repairs and restorations since 2009, called "the great Heisei restoration." An essential consideration when repairing Japanese cultural properties is that old and weathered parts must not be replaced and existing original materials must be reused to the greatest possible extent. The restoration's greatest challenge was to reinforce the structure to protect against earthquakes. This program follows the Japanese engineers and craftsmen, striving to clear the hurdle with their conviction and ideas, to preserve the national treasure.
Click here to preview this program!-
Nippon-ga -Taro Yamamoto x Akita Maiko-
2015 30 mins[Craft Masters of Japan] Taro Yamamoto is a professor at the Akita University of Art, but also a young painter who uses traditional Japanese techniques to create paintings with a ‘modern’ and humorous twist to them. This new art style is called ‘Nippon-ga’, and has currently been attracting a lot...more details -
Tsunami Disaster: Heartache and Hope Through the Viewfinder – 49 Days of Life and Death –
2011 2012 New York Festivals United Nations DPI Bronze Award. On March 11th, 2011, the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake of magnitude 9.0 leveled northeastern Japan. Kesennuma City of Miyagi Prefecture was torn apart. The subsequent tsunami and fires that broke out from fuel leakage led to 1,500 people dead or missing from...more details -
Hometown's Original Scenery -World of Doll Art-
2015 30 mins[Craft Masters of Japan] Mayumi Takahashi is a doll artist who started making dolls over 30 years ago. Her workshop is located in Iiyama City, Nagano Prefecture, which is known for its charming Japanese countryside. Inspired by the rural and rustic scenery around her, Takahashi's creations often allow people to...more details -
Angel, Living in a Loyal Dog's Home- Odate, Akita Prefecture
30 mins[Beauty of Japan Season 2] The Akita dog breed is known for its cuteness, dignity, and for its loyalty to its owner (as described in the famous story of "Hachiko"). Angel, an Israeli living in Odate City, became a breeder after he was charmed by the Akita breed. Through his...more details