Begin Japanology

Bento

About the origins and evolution of the Japanese "boxed lunchset".

Miyazawa Kenji

Lacquerware

Rakugo

Tsukiji Market

A short look on the history, present and future of the famous fishmarket in Tsukiji, Tokyo.

Yoshoku

Explaining the integration of Western meals into the Japanese diet.

Kyudo

Kyodo (loosely translatable to "archery") is not so much about hitting the target as it is all abou...

Tea Ceremony Architecture

Dagashi-ya

A look at the phenomenon of dagashi-ya ("thrifty sweetshops") and the role they played in a communi...

Nihon Buyo

Abacus

The "soroban" (Abacus) - a calculation tool no longer used in the Western world but still a common...

Ryukyu Kimono

Bamboo

Bamboo, a native Japanese plant of the tree family, has many uses. This episode explores a few, suc...

Shirakawa-go

Fireworks

During the Japanese summer, fireworks are a daily phenomenon, as such, this episode shows it's orig...

Hanging Scrolls

The wall scroll is not just used for decoration, it has a special role during the tea ceremony that...

The Tale of Genji: Part 1

The first part of two episodes focussing on the ancient Japanese epic that left a huge impact on th...

The Tale of Genji: Part 2

Part two continues with a look on the Heian period and the effect the epic had on Japanese cultural...

Matcha

Matcha, the powdered residue of ground green tea leafs, has been a key ingredient in the Japanese t...

Tokyo Tower

A key player in the skyline of Tokyo, Tokyo Tower is a source of entertainment and inspiration. A l...

Dashi

Oribe-yaki (pottery)

The Colorful World of Utagawa Hiroshige

The Seven Gods of Good Fortune

Sushi

This episodes investigates the staple Japanese food, "Sushi" via it's origins and ingredients.

Mikoshi (portable shrines)

Yuzen Kimono

Buddhist Statues

Hot Springs

Fish

Tatami (straw mats)

Castles

During Japan's civil war era, many castles were erected as strongholds and displays of power by the...

Miso