
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.
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Shakuhachi Flute and Texas- Okayama Prefecture
30 mins[Beauty of Japan Season 2] Jennifer is a Shakuhachi (Japanese flute) master who originally comes from Texas. She says the beauty of the instrument lies in its ability to express nature. Birds singing and the sound of waves can all be expressed through Jennifer's shakuhachi. She mastered the ability to...more details -
Narumi Shibori of Arimatsu-The Town Where Ai Sways in the Breeze (Aichi Prefecture)
2021 25 minutes[Colors in Japan] The town of Arimatsuis renowned for its tie-dyed "noren" store curtains, crafted using traditional shibori techniques. We explore the passion and dedication of local artisans who continue to practice and innovate in the field of shibori. Click here to preview this episode! Part of the "Colors in...more details -
A Glimmer of Hope
2005 Award of Excellence at the Media Arts Festival. With the traditional family challenged by growing society pressures in modern Japan, this drama depicts the conflict between a father and his children as each struggle to find their own way in life. The characters in the story come to discover the...more details -
Beauty of Japan Series- Season 2
2018 30 minsThere are 2.5 million people from all over the world currently living in Japan. How did they end up there? What drew them to come to Japan in the first place? Or more importantly, what made them want to stay? In this series, we take a look at various non-Japanese...more details