
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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Wooden Barrels of Tochigi -Time Etched by the Color of Old Bamboo (Tochigi Prefecture)
2021 25 minutes[Colors in Japan] Tochigi City has a long history of producing wooden barrels for fermenting food. Despite the rise of plastic containers, one dedicated craftsman continues to make barrels using traditional techniques. The barrels are crafted from cedar heartwood and tied with local timber bamboo. Click here to preview this...more details -
Meoto Iwa-Enchanted by the Rising Sun Miracle (Mie Prefecture)
2021 25 minutes[Colors in Japan] MeotoIwa (The Married Couple Rocks), a famous rock formation in Ise City, Mie Prefecture, offers a unique natural spectacle during the summer solstice. We follow photographers who flock to the site to capture the awe-inspiring phenomenon of the sun rising over Mt. Fuji between the rocks. Click...more details -
Festivals of Japan Series- Season 1
2017 30 minsThis is the first season of the Festivals of Japan Series, which introduces various festivals around Japan. In this 12 episode season, we will explore the festivals themselves, their histories, and the people responsible for preserving, cherishing, and passing on their traditions. From giant sea bream floats, children`s kabuki, portable...more details -
The 40th Otsuna Festival -Invigorating a Community-
2018 30 mins[Festivals of Japan Season 2] Half-naked men pull on a giant white rope. Eighty meters long and about a ton in weight, the rope is the central focus of the Tosa City Otsuna Festival. Originally an Edo Period tradition, the festival was brought back by people hoping to energize a community...more details