
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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Miracle of Symphony No. 9 - 6 Years with Yutaka Sado & Ikutokukan Orchestra -
2025 75 minutesIn a breathtaking collaboration that was six years in the making, the Ikutokukan school orchestra - a rare find in Japan's Fukuoka Prefecture - achieved the impossible. They performed Beethoven's 9th Symphony, led by Yutaka Sado, the world-renowned maestro. This program follows the interactions between the legendary conductor and the...more details -
Shiretoko Peninsula’s Kingdom of Brown Bears
2003 “Era of Local” TV Festival 2010 Grand Prize. Shiretoko Peninsula, Japan’s final frontier, is the last kingdom of brown bears where their life in the wild can be observed. Surrounded by the ocean, the Shiretoko Peninsula is densely inhabited by brown bears, which is proof that Shiretoko is blessed with...more details -
The Namahage Sedo Festival -Oga Peninsula-
2017 30 mins[Festivals of Japan Season 1] The Namahage of Akita is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan that is both extremely popular and well-recognized. One of the three largest festivals in Japan, the "Namahage Sedo Festival" is a combination of this "Namahage" and local shrine festivities. This episode describes the...more details -
The Jewel of Toyama Bay to be Preserved for Future Generations (Toyama Prefecture)
2021 25 minutes[Colores in Japan] “Shiroebi,” translucent shrimp harvested in Toyama Bay, are prized for their delicate beauty. Local fishermen formed the Toyama Bay Shiroebi Club to protect this resource. The club works to promote shiroebi nationwide and ensure its preservation for future generations. Click here to preview the program! Part of...more details