
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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Prayer of the Tenshudo Nagasaki city, Nagasaki Pref.
2014 30minsTenshudo (House of the Lord) is the oldest Roman Catholic church in Japan. Its picturesque location surrounded by beautiful nature is known as a tourist spot in Nagasaki city. The church has been a witness of cultural exchanges with western countries and religious history for more than 450 years. This...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 -
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 -
Himeji Castle: The Secret history Himeji city, Hyogo Pref.
2014 30minsThe Himeji Castle is regarded as one of the finest castles in Japan thanks to its preserved monumental white tower. Since the ancient times, many mysteries have been secretly passed on over generations. Why has it never been burned down? Why was it never used in a war? What are...more details