Japanology Plus - Season 8

Episode 1

Moss

This time, our theme is moss. In some countries, it is regarded almost as a weed, but in Japan, it's cherished. Moss can be found in the gardens of temples and shrines, in forests and mountains and ev

Episode 2

Libraries

Japan's libraries are cornerstones of their communities. Besides loaning out books, they promote local culture, support young people and offer a place to relax. This time, our theme is libraries. Our

Episode 3

Japanophiles: Sheila Cliffe

The kimono, Japan's national garment, is generally seen as traditional clothing -- something to wear on special occasions. But these days, modern and stylish kimono are making an impact in the fashion

Episode 4

Ukiyo-e

Ukiyo-e is a Japanese artform that emerged in the 17th century. Using woodblock prints, people and landscapes are brought to life with bold compositions and vivid colors. The images influenced Europea

Episode 5

Japanophiles: Richard Halberstadt

On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake off the coast of northeast Japan caused a devastating tsunami that left around 18,000 people dead or unaccounted for. Ishinomaki, in Miyagi Prefecture, was

Episode 6

Cleaning Tools

Japanese use a wide range of cleaning implements, from old-fashioned brooms to modern carpet rollers. There's always a dedicated tool for the job. Sometimes, those tools have a deeper meaning. Our mai

Episode 7

Lacquerware

Lacquerware is made by coating objects with the sap of the lacquer tree. It's a traditional craft that dates back thousands of years. Lacquer offers incredible durability, as well as a distinctive lus

Episode 8

Suits

Japanese started wearing Western clothing around 150 years ago, and today, suits are standard business attire. Our main guest, fashion journalist Yamamoto Teruhiro, describes the history of men's suit

Episode 9

Emergency Goods

The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami left around 19,000 people dead or unaccounted for. It renewed Japan's sensitivity to the threat of natural disasters, and in the 10 years since then, a mult

Episode 10

Japanophiles: Chad Mullane

In a Japanophiles interview, Peter Barakan meets Chad Mullane, a comedian from Perth, Australia. Chad talks about Japanese comedy, and explains how he fell in love with it. We see some of his routines

Episode 11

Furoshiki: Wrapping Cloths

Furoshiki are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths. For hundreds of years, these square pieces of fabric have been used to protect, store and carry various objects. They often feature beautiful, color

Episode 12

Japan vs. Epidemics, Part 2: Modern History

Over the centuries, Japan has suffered from repeated outbreaks of diseases like smallpox, measles and cholera. Part 1 of "Japan vs. Epidemics" covered the history of epidemics up to the mid-19th centu

Episode 13

Tiny Houses

Tiny houses are homes that occupy around 50 square meters of land. They're appearing more and more in recent years, especially in crowded cities. Many of them feature unusual layouts and creative desi

Episode 14

Watches & Clocks

Japanese watches and clocks are respected around the world for their accuracy and durability. Many of them incorporate the latest technology. Our guest, Oda Ichiro, spent 26 years at a watchmaking com

Episode 15

Plastic Food Samples

Plastic food samples are astonishingly accurate replicas of real dishes. They can be found at the entrance to restaurants across Japan, helping potential customers to choose where to eat. They're made

Episode 16

Japanophiles: Asa Ekstrom

In a Japanophiles interview, Peter Barakan meets Asa Ekstrom, a manga artist from Sweden. Her work takes a humorous look at her life in Japan, and the surprising discoveries she makes every day. Ekstr

Episode 17

Cats and Japan

Cats have recently become the most-owned pets in Japan, and their popularity continues to grow. This has led to feline celebrities, unusual products and apartments designed specifically with cat owner

Episode 18

Personal Robots

It's common to find robots in factories, assembling products. But recently, Japan has been embracing personal robots: devices designed to aid conversation, provide companionship and offer emotional su

Episode 19

Scissors

After scissors arrived in Japan, they evolved in unique ways. Japanese artisans applied traditional sword-making techniques to the creation of a broad variety of highly specialized and customized tool

Episode 20

Japanophiles: Marty Friedman

In a Japanophiles interview, Peter Barakan meets Marty Friedman, a legendary guitarist from the USA. As a member of a well-known heavy metal band, Friedman toured the world. But a deep love for Japane

Episode 21

Luck

In Japan, a great number of places, objects and customs are considered to be auspicious. Examples include beckoning cats called "maneki neko," and a special meal eaten on New Year's Day. Our guest is

Episode 22

Tatami

Tatami mats are a quintessentially Japanese flooring material. They're made of rice straw, covered in woven soft rush. This gives them just the right amount of give, and a fresh natural fragrance. Tat

Episode 23

Chests & Cabinets

Traditionally, wooden chests and cabinets are built and maintained by master artisans, using time-honored techniques and materials. Items are often passed down through multiple generations of a family

Episode 24

Japanophiles: Nicholas Rennick

In a Japanophiles interview, Peter Barakan meets Nicholas Rennick, an Australian doctor working at a Tokyo hospital. He started in April 2020, at the very beginning of the pandemic, and was immediatel

Episode 25

Bamboo

Bamboo is sturdy, supple and abundant. For thousands of years, it has been indispensable in Japanese crafts and construction. This versatile plant can also be eaten: bamboo shoots are a quintessential

Episode 26

Ainu: A National Museum of Ainu Culture

The Ainu are an indigenous people who live in and around northern Japan. Traditionally, they are hunter-gatherers who share a close relationship with the natural world. In the first of 2 editions abou

Episode 27

Ainu: A New Generation

The Ainu are an indigenous people who live in Hokkaido Prefecture (northern Japan) and surrounding areas. Traditionally, they were hunter-gatherers who shared a close relationship with the natural wor