
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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Finding the Strength to Live
2022 2023 WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival REMI Award (Special Jury Award) Known as the Kobe Serial Child Murders, in 1997 two children in Kyoto were brutally murdered by a 14-year-old boy who used the pseudonym Seito Sakakibara. Still a minor, by law the killer was jailed anonymously to protect his identity....more details -
Call Me Dad - In Search of a Treatment for Rett Syndrome -
2020 55 minutesThis documentary follows Tetsuji Tanioka over a period of 3 years, as he cares for his daughter with Rett Syndrome. A rare neurological refractory disease that occurs almost exclusively in females, the condition leads to regression in physical and linguistic ability. Worldwide, only one in fifteen thousand are afflicted and...more details -
Castle in the Sky and Granddad's Cherry Tree
2021 60 minutesThe Takeda Castle ruins in Asago City are known as the “Castle in the Sky” as they are located on a mountain top and look to be floating in the sky. Wild cherry trees growing on the mountain slope are another symbol of the city. The trees, preserved over generations,...more details -
MAHOROBA ASUKA - Japan's Ancient Capital -
2023 52 minutesJapan’s capital 1400 years ago, Asuka is one of its oldest villages and a symbol of its intrinsic beauty. In recognition of its special history, a law was established to preserve the natural environment of the village. This documentary, filmed over the span of a year, captures Asuka’s beauty in...more details