Japanology Plus - Season 4
35 episodes
Episode 1
Japanophiles: Carine Lafitte
We meet a nakai, a waitress at a luxury Japanese restaurant. In a Japanophiles interview with Peter Barakan, Carine Lafitte from France talks about the challenges of her demanding traditional job.
Episode 2
Noh Theater
Noh theater is said to be the world's oldest contemporary performing art. After emerging 650 years ago, it survived a time of national turbulence with the help of samurai warlords, and it is still goi
Episode 3
Moving Services
In Japan, where real estate is at a premium, houses can be very cramped inside, especially in major cities. Maneuvering large items of furniture along narrow corridors and stairs requires special tech
Episode 4
Okinawan Karate
Karate is practiced by more than 60 million people around the world, and its roots are in Okinawa. Okinawan karate, the most traditional form, is known for the brutal power of its blows. But that powe
Episode 5
Sleep
Japanese spend less time asleep each night than people in many other countries, a situation that may derive from a 24-hour, on-the-go culture, and a strong work ethic. Demand for quality sleep has pro
Episode 6
Tokyo Rail Network
Tokyo's highly efficient rail network is known for safe and punctual operation. Most trains run on schedule, almost to the second. What are the key factors contributing to its outstanding reputation?
Episode 7
Denim
Jeans are among the world's most popular clothes, and Japanese denim has a great reputation. Harnessing craft traditions, manual dexterity, and the latest technology, makers of Japanese jeans offer a
Episode 8
Japanophiles: Randy Channell Soei
The "Soei" in Randy Channell Soei is a name this Canadian was given to mark his ascent to mastery of the Way of Tea. He is one of very few foreigners qualified to teach every aspect of the tea ceremon
Episode 9
Japanophiles: Zoe Vincent
Zoe Vincent from the United Kingdom works for an organization that promotes tourism in Fukushima. She travels around the prefecture, seeking out traditional culture and events, then writes online and
Episode 10
Buddhist Altars
A Buddhist altar, or butsudan, is a feature of many homes in Japan. Family members kneel before them seeking guidance from the realm of enlightenment, and engaging with memories of lost loved ones. Ma
Episode 11
Driving Schools
In Japan, most people aiming to get a driver’s license go to a driving school. On closed courses complete with railway crossings and hills, driving schools helps students learn how to deal with every
Episode 12
Curry
Curry is one of Japan's favorite foods. A thick Japanese-style curry sauce is very different from the kinds typically associated with Indian cuisine. Japan's love affair with curry can be traced back
Episode 13
Cafes
Coffee first reached Japan in the 17th century, but it wasn't until the 19th century that it started to catch on. Drinking coffee was one of many elements of Western culture eagerly adopted in that er
Episode 14
Japanophiles: Yoram Ofer
Yoram Ofer from Israel runs a bar in Kyoto that offers a chance to explore the world of nihonshu, or Japanese sake. He focuses on junmaishu, a form of sake that contains no added brewer's alcohol. Whe
Episode 15
School Lunch
The school lunch is a key part of a child's diet in Japan. Meals are nutritionally balanced and designed to nurture health. School lunches also play a role in education. Behind the scenes are expert n
Episode 16
Capsule Toys
Capsule toys, also known as gachapon, are small toys purchased from vending machines. Though the cost of these toys is extremely reasonable, their fine attention to detail and handmade quality makes t
Episode 17
Buses
In Japan, around 60,000 buses run along designated routes to designated stops, and operate on a timetable. For commuting, shopping and getting around, 4.1 billion passengers a year use these fixed-rou
Episode 18
Traditional Music
Modern Japanese music is influenced both instrumentally and stylistically by Western music, but the country has its own indigenous music, the history of which stretches back over a millennia. This tim
Episode 19
Traditional Music in Modern Life
For centuries the art of playing traditional music on Japanese instruments was passed down through apprenticeships. But traditional music ended up isolated from other musical forms. Now young performe
Episode 20
Japanophiles: Nsenda Lukumwena
Nsenda Lukumwena is an architect from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who has carved out a niche for himself in the highly competitive construction market in Japan. Dismissing industry norms, he
Episode 21
Urban Renewal
In 1872, when Japan’s first railway opened between Yokohama and Tokyo, the population of Tokyo was less than one million. Fast-forward 150-odd years, and it has increased to well over 13 million. If y
Episode 22
Fireworks
Along with the hum of cicadas, the twinkling of wind chimes and the cracking of baseball bats, nothing quite defines Japanese summers like the bursting of fireworks. Literally thousands of fireworks e
Episode 23
Anthropomorphism
In any Japanese city, you'll see countless signs and posters featuring anthropomorphic characters. This preference seems closely entwined with culture and the national character. This time on Japanolo
Episode 24
2D Characters - Origins and Evolution
In countless everyday settings, individuals, companies, administrative bodies and others in Japan use anthropomorphized 2D characters to enhance communication. Following a recent Japanology Plus devot
Episode 25
Children and Sports
Swimming, soccer, gymnastics and more: Japanese children these days are increasingly enthusiastic about sports. Sports-focused kindergartens have become very popular, as have after-school training pro
Episode 26
Amusement Parks
As in other countries around the world, the local amusement park is an essential part of childhood for many in Japan. But Japan’s local parks currently face multiple challenges, such as competition fr
Episode 27
Japanophiles: Tyler Lynch
This edition of "Japanophiles," the series within Japanology Plus that profiles foreign residents leading exceptional lives in Japan, centers around Tyler Lynch, an American who runs a traditional inn
Episode 28
Particle Physics Research
Though the title of this edition of Japanology Plus might inspire a few double-takes, rest assured, you have not accidentally tuned into the wrong program: as it turns out, particle physics research i
Episode 29
Shrine Duties
Walk through any neighborhood in Japan, and before too long you'll come across a shrine devoted to Shinto, the native religion of the country. Many visitors to Japan are charmed by the peaceful, relax
Episode 30
Special Rescue Teams
Japan is prone to an array of natural disasters: earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, and more. It's also home to some of the world's best equipped and best trained special rescue teams, which are the foc
Episode 31
The Wonders of Air Travel
At Japan's busiest airports, a flight may arrive or depart every two minutes or so. In spite of this, Japanese airlines are frequently ranked among the world's leading on-time flight operators. Making
Episode 32
Japanophiles: Fernando Lopez
Fernando Lopez, originally from Guatemala, runs an okonomiyaki restaurant in Hiroshima. Made on a hot griddle, okonomiyaki from western Japan resembles a thin crepe loaded with cabbage, pork, soba noo
Episode 33
Changing Perceptions of Cars
For as much as we talk about Japanese food, music, movies and other cultural exports, Japan's greatest contribution to the world—at least in terms of pure volume—may be its cars. Japan produces around
Episode 34
The Way of Tea: Wellspring of Omotenashi (Part 1)
Tea ceremony, tea gathering, the way of tea, cha-no-yu, chado, sado...no matter what you call it, this elegant, centuries-old practice is often said to be the key to understanding the Japanese spirit
Episode 35
The Way of Tea: Wellspring of Omotenashi (Part 2)
In this special two-part edition of Japanology Plus, we look at how the tea ceremony is performed, its complex set of rules, and its ties to modern Japanese life, in which it serves as the wellspring