Japanology Plus 6
2019-01-08 | Documentary | 72 episodes12 Seasons
Episode
Roof Tilers (2019)
If there's one thing that makes Japanese homes immediately identifiable, it's their roofs—or, to be more specific, the tiles that make up those roofs. These intricate tiles, which have been part of the Japanese landscape for well over a millennium, are the handiwork of roof tilers, who share the same passion for their craft as generations of tilers before them. On this edition of Japanology Plus, we take a look at the long history of Japan's roof tiles and meet the people dedicated to keeping the tradition alive.
Japanophiles: Thomas Bertrand (2019)
Thomas Bertrand, from France, is the proprietor of a bento box shop in Kyoto. Bertrand's shop stocks hundreds of designs, in both traditional and modern styles. He ships products to customers around the world and also runs bento photo competitions online. This time, in a Japanophiles profile, Bertrand tells us why he finds bento boxes so appealing and shows us how he's bringing this part of Japanese food culture to a global audience. We also meet the shop's staff and see what they're eating for lunch!
Hidden Christians: Part 1 (2019)
When the West first established trade relations with Japan, one of its major exports, alongside goods, was religion. Brought in by foreign missionaries, Christianity began to catch on—especially around Nagasaki, the port that became Japan’s key link with the Western world. Fearing Christianity’s expanding influence, Japan’s rulers banned the religion and persecuted its followers—but rather than abandon their faith, many of Japan’s Christians went underground, practicing in secret for around 250 years.
Hidden Christians: Part 2 (2019)
Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Christianity was banned in Japan. During the ban, believers faced unimaginable persecution. Some, however, held onto their faith and devised ways to worship in secret, often in remote locations such as Nagasaki’s Goto islands.
Wood: Culture (2019)
70% of Japan's land is covered in forests and woodland. For centuries, wood has been used for furniture, buildings, and tools. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is the cultural significance of wood. Our main guest, architecture expert Kazuyoshi Fumoto, explains why wood continues to be a mainstay of modern Japanese life and why people feel so warmly towards it. And in Plus One, Matt Alt discovers the level of precision that Japanese carpenters are able to achieve.
