
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!-
Amezaiku (sugar sculpture) -A young artist blowing new life into tradition-
2015 30 mins[Craft Masters of Japan] Asakusa District in Tokyo is a popular tourist destination. Here in this vibrant area lies the best candy shop in Japan. Shinri Tezuka is a young candy maker working in this shop, and his masterful creations are so delicate and beautiful that they are almost too...more details -
Hikiyama Children's Kabuki -Cultured Entertainment for Common Folk-
2017 30 mins[Festivals of Japan Season 1] The Hikiyama Children's Kabuki in Komatsu City, Ishikawa Prefecture, has a history of over 250 years. However, with the recent decline in birthrates and an increasing aging population, its survival has been put under threat. Amidst this problem, the children of Komatsu City try their...more details -
The Secrets of the Village with Japan's longest living population Takayama city, Nagano Pref.
2014 30minsNagano prefecture has the longest living population in Japan. Particularly this little village of Takayama is known as “the anti-aging village”. The village, with merely 8000 residents, is blessed with beautiful nature and climate. Preserving the healthy life and culture, it has been recognised as one of the Biosphere Reserves...more details -
Golden Field in China
2009
Sichuan TV Festival Golden Panda Award. China has achieved remarkable development. One driving force behind its growing prosperity is a Japanese man who devoted his life to passing on his rice farming expertise bringing about an agricultural revolution in China. That man is Shoichi Hara, an agricultural engineer from Hokkaido....more details