NaN/100 votes#1 - Ekiden
Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 1/12/2012
Ekiden is a long-distance relay race. Instead of a baton, a sash is handed off. This sash is the secret to ekiden's widespread appeal in Japan; it is a symbol of perseverance and selfless duty. Ekiden's inventor was Japan's first Olympian. He ran the marathon but passed out before reaching the finish line. This defeat drove him to create an event that could produce world-class Japanese runners. There are various ekiden events, and the most grueling is the Mt. Fuji Ekiden. Teams of six run from the foot of Mt. Fuji to the summit and back down again - in four hours! There are also high school ekiden championships. Forty years ago, one team was on the verge of being disbanded, until an inspiring coach took over and turned them into national champions. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at ekiden - a unique Japanese athletic event that reveals what makes the Japanese tick.
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NaN/100 votes#2 - Batteries
Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 1/19/2012
Batteries... We use them so often that we hardly even think about it. Mobile phones, cameras, portable audio players - even your car keys might have a battery inside. Japan makes 4.8 billion batteries every year, and the Japanese have a long history of battery breakthroughs, from recent advances in rechargeable batteries to what may have been the world's first dry-cell battery over 120 years ago. Recently, electric car batteries have been used not just for driving, but as power sources for entire homes. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011, supplies of water and electricity were cut off in many parts of northeastern Japan. Batteries played a key role in helping evacuees. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is batteries. We'll see how these small sources of power, invented in this small island nation, have transformed the lives of its people.
Director: Mamoru Watanabe
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#3 - Cafes
Season 5 Episode 3 - Aired 1/26/2012
People the world over love to enjoy a cup of coffee in a cafe. Japan is no different. Cafes first appeared in Japan in the late 19th century, and they have continued to evolve with changes in society. The country currently has 80,000 cafes and consumes more coffee than either France or Italy! But Japanese cafes don't just serve coffee; many offer a wide range of special themes and extra features - like "cat cafes," where you can enjoy some feline companionship, or "maid cafes," where customers are served and entertained by women in maid outfits. As Japanese society ages, "community cafes" are becoming a vital way for older citizens to find good company. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at cafes. In Japan, they are more than just a place to have a cup of coffee; they are a unique and fascinating world in their own right.
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NaN/100 votes#4 - Hot Water Bottles and Pocket Warmers
Season 5 Episode 4 - Aired 2/2/2012
Hot water bottles and pocket warmers are just the thing for Japan's cold winters. Hot water bottles first came to Japan from China in the 16th century. The first pocket warmers are thought to have been devised in Japan as far back as the 12th century. From the age of the shoguns through the Second World War to the present day, the materials and design of hot water bottles have reflected the changing times. Today, hot water bottles and pocket warmers come in all shapes and sizes and are used not only to keep warm, but also to improve blood circulation and relax stiff shoulders. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is hot water bottles and pocket warmers. We'll see what these traditional heating devices reveal about Japanese ingenuity.
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#5 - Ikebana
Season 5 Episode 5 - Aired 2/9/2012
Ikebana: the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. Each elegant arrangement is made with seasonal flowers and plants cut to perfection. The idea of using flowers as decoration first came to Japan 1,500 years ago, along with Buddhism. Flower arrangements were given as offerings to the Buddha, and Buddhist priests formalized the techniques that would become known as ikebana. In time, flower arranging became deeply rooted in Japanese life. Today, Japan has more than 2,000 schools of ikebana. Inside the home, people arrange flowers in ways that embody the changing seasons. Ikebana has a saying: "The flowers are your soul." Like other traditional Japanese arts, ikebana attaches great importance to formal etiquette and self-reflection. But that doesn't mean modern ikebana artists aren't creating bold new arrangements. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is ikebana. We'll trace ikebana's history and explore the Japanese aesthetic that comes to life in this art form.
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NaN/100 votes#6 - Excavators
Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 2/16/2012
Today, 80% of the world's excavators are built from Japanese designs. There's hardly a country in the world where Japanese excavators haven't made a contribution. And Japanese engineers continue to design innovative excavators - ones that can do much more than just shovel dirt. One state-of-the-art model has a versatile pair of arms; it's essentially a robot! And some models have such precise control that they can hold brushes and write Japanese calligraphy! One watershed moment in Japan came when a new kind of excavator greatly accelerated infrastructure development in the run-up to the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In Cambodia, where land mines left over from past conflict often injure and kill people, one Japanese man modified an excavator so that it could save lives. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is excavators. Through an examination of these machines, we'll dig deep into Japanese craft expertise.
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#7 - Woods & Forests
Season 5 Episode 7 - Aired 2/23/2012
Forests have covered Japan since ancient times, and today they make up about 70% of the country's land area. Forests have long been vital to the Japanese way of life. Even the center of Tokyo has a large and famous man-made forest! It was created almost 100 years ago, meticulously designed and planted to keep itself going just like a natural forest. For centuries in Japan, cutting down trees has led to environmental degradation and even natural disaster. But the Japanese have always responded with passionate efforts to save and revive their forests. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is woods and forests. By exploring the long relationship between the Japanese and their forests, and their efforts to protect them, we'll discover how the Japanese think about nature.
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#8 - Japanophiles - Dhugal Lindsay
Season 5 Episode 8 - Aired 3/1/2012
This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Dhugal Lindsay is an Australian haiku poet. Lindsay's haiku, written in Japanese, have been acclaimed even by other Japanese haiku poets. But there is a very different side to Lindsay. He is also a marine biologist. Lindsay specializes in research on organisms that live thousands of meters under the sea. Jellyfish are one example. Lindsay first visited Japan in 1991 as an exchange student. By sheer coincidence, the mother of his homestay family was a famous haiku poet. Lindsay composed haiku as he studied the Japanese language. His first haiku collection was published in 2001 and won him a prestigious poetry prize. The worlds of marine biology and haiku might seem unrelated. But to Lindsay, both are essential parts of his identity.
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#9 - Japanophiles - Richard Emmert
Season 5 Episode 9 - Aired 3/8/2012
This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Noh theater is one of Japan's great traditional performing arts. Today's Japanophile is Richard Emmert, an American Noh actor. Emmert has lived in Japan for 39 years, and Noh has been his overriding passion. He himself says that he is "married to Noh." Emmert first became interested in Noh theater as an undergraduate in the States. He took a seminar about Noh and ended up playing the lead in a production put on by the instructor. Now a professor of the performing arts in Japan, Emmert has written books about Noh, led international Noh workshops, and even directed English-language Noh plays. He's actually working on one now about Elvis Presley! Drawing on his boundless love of Noh, Richard Emmert offers fascinating insights into this unique and profound art form.
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#10 - Japanophiles - Art Lee
Season 5 Episode 10 - Aired 3/15/2012
This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. The taiko is Japan's own traditional style of drum. These days, it's widely performed on occasions ranging from religious festivals to concerts for paying audiences. And Art Lee, an American, is a master of this percussion instrument. Lee began taiko drumming when he was 17 years old. His talent soon led to recruitment by a prominent Japan-based taiko troupe. Just a year after taking up the instrument, Lee found himself performing in Carnegie Hall. In 2005, Lee was the first foreigner to be awarded the highest prize at the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest. Behind his success, you'll find a rigorous training regimen and his supportive wife, Yukari, who worked hard to become a member of Lee's own taiko troupe. This time, we meet Art Lee, listen to his unique sound, and experience his passion for percussion.
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#11 - Japanophiles - Philip Harper
Season 5 Episode 11 - Aired 3/29/2012
This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Sake is an alcoholic drink brewed from rice and water. It is quintessentially Japanese, but with its rich flavor, refined over centuries, it has recently achieved worldwide popularity. Brewers create sake's characteristic flavor using traditional techniques that date back to the 1600s. The master brewer is the boss of a brewery, and Philip Harper is the only foreign master sake brewer in all of Japan. Harper was born in 1966 in England. At the age of 22, while teaching English in Japan, he drank a glass of sake that changed his life. He has now been involved in sake brewing for over two decades. Harper's prize-winning sake is known for its fruity bouquets and for how it captures the sweetness of rice. Harper uses every ounce of his skill to make the sake he sees in his mind's eye a reality. His quest is to produce the ultimate Japanese sake.
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#12 - Kabuki
Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 4/5/2012
Kabuki is one of Japan's best-known traditional performing arts. It combines elements of theater, dance, and music. In 2009, it was recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Dazzling costumes, striking makeup, and graceful movement... Kabuki acting is highly stylized, and the audience appreciates the many conventions. But Kabuki isn't stuffy. There are thrilling fight scenes and elaborate set designs. Audience members call out the names of the various houses of Kabuki actors. Kabuki was born in the early 17th century. It can be traced to a former shrine maiden with a very unusual style of dancing. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at Kabuki. Its timeless appeal rests on a unique sense of beauty and a great generosity of spirit.
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#13 - Wild Vegetables
Season 5 Episode 13 - Aired 4/12/2012
Wild vegetables have long been served at the Japanese dining table. With their great variety and low calorie count, they have recently become popular as health foods. But they also play important roles in long-established annual and seasonal rituals. In the 18th century, during a period of famine, one feudal lord realized that although crops were not sprouting, wild vegetables were. He commissioned a guidebook that gave people life-saving advice on how to gather and eat plants found in the wild. Wild vegetables don't only grow in the wilderness; some people enjoy gathering them in urban areas. There are even schools that share traditional knowledge about wild vegetables with their students. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is wild vegetables. We'll see how Japan's food culture has embraced what nature has to offer.
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#14 - Horses
Season 5 Episode 14 - Aired 4/19/2012
Since ancient times, there has been a belief in Japan that horses are messengers of the gods, or even gods themselves. Samurai shared their fate with their loyal horses; riding a brave steed was a great honor. The horse breeds that have been in Japan the longest are small in stature. They are known for their gentle nature, and people have always loved them. These days, the focus is on thoroughbreds. Horse racing in Japan boasts the world's highest revenues and has created many famous horses. The Japanese see parallels between horse racing and life, and they identify closely with stirring stories. One crowd favorite was a horse that racked up a perfect career record...of zero wins! On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is horses. We look at horse-related rituals and traditions, and the way the Japanese have interacted with horses, as we seek a deeper understanding of their importance in Japanese culture.
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NaN/100 votes#15 - Massage Chairs
Season 5 Episode 15 - Aired 4/26/2012
In Japan, stress is a part of life. Giving and receiving massages, particularly shoulder massages, is a Japanese institution. And over the last several decades, the massage chair has become an equally important part of Japanese life. The world's first massage chair was invented in Osaka in 1950. Its creator was an amateur inventor who wanted his frail daughter to be able to have a shoulder massage, even when he wasn't around. Since then, massage chair technology has come a long way. The latest models can massage the whole body, and they use technologies like computers, optic sensors, and pneumatic pumps. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is massage chairs. We look at their state-of-the-art Japanese engineering and their little-known history.
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#16 - Shikoku Pilgrimage
Season 5 Episode 16 - Aired 5/3/2012
The Shikoku Pilgrimage involves visiting 88 Buddhist temples spread across Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's four main islands. The route is 1,200 kilometers long, and to walk it takes around 50 days, although most people today ride in a car or bus for at least part of the journey. The pilgrimage can be traced back to Kukai, a 9th-century Buddhist high priest who reached enlightenment in the wilds of Shikoku. These days, many older people undertake the pilgrimage as a way of reflecting on their lives. Many young people do it to find out more about themselves. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is the Shikoku Pilgrimage. We'll look at traditional expressions of religious faith and examine the challenges of modern life.
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NaN/100 votes#17 - Regional Fast Food
Season 5 Episode 17 - Aired 5/10/2012
When you think of regional Japanese food with a long history, you might think high prices and refined presentation. But Japanese "regional fast food" is unique and inexpensive everyday fare, and it is now more popular than ever. Regional fast food is often called "local gourmet" or "B-grade gourmet." Most of these dishes were created between the 1950s and the 1970s, during Japan's post-WWII resurgence. In the 1990s, as the Internet became widespread, regional cuisines began attracting nationwide attention. In recent years, regional fast food has even launched the revival of towns and cities. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is regional fast food. We'll look at casual local dishes from around Japan and at the culture that created them.
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NaN/100 votes#18 - Department Stores
Season 5 Episode 18 - Aired 5/17/2012
The first department store appeared in Japan about 110 years ago. It evolved from a kimono shop. With their world-class goods, department stores soon became popular as centers of culture and of the latest trends. They also began featuring family-friendly attractions like large dining halls and rooftop amusement parks. The signature feature of a Japanese department store today is a group of restaurants on an upper floor coupled with an area in the basement where food is sold. These top and bottom culinary areas draw customers up and down through the rest of the floors. From concierges to personal stylists, Japanese department stores have always worked to meet the customer's every need. A few stores still even employ old-fashioned elevator operators. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is department stores. We'll see how they became closely linked with Japanese lifestyles and delve into their unique appeal.
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#19 - Kimonos
Season 5 Episode 19 - Aired 5/24/2012
The kimono is the traditional costume of Japan. Yet even the most sumptuous kimono is constructed quite simply: just a few strips of fabric sewn together. With their wide variety of seasonal designs, kimonos reflect Japan's rich natural beauty. And the obi - the sash - makes a kimono even more gorgeous. Typically more than three meters long, the obi is tied in a beautiful and often elaborate knot. The origin of the kimono as we know it today is an undergarment worn by ancient Japanese nobles. Later, during the days of the samurai, authorities tried to ban extravagant kimonos; they unwittingly inspired a kimono fashion revolution. In the early 20th century, mass-produced kimonos with bold new designs appeared. They look fresh even today and are now enjoying popularity with a new generation of young women. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at kimonos, which fully embody the Japanese sense of beauty.
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NaN/100 votes#20 - Aquariums
Season 5 Episode 20 - Aired 6/7/2012
Japan is home to 20% of the world's public aquariums. And it has all kinds, from places specializing in one kind of sea life - like jellyfish or salmon - to theme parks offering splashy shows with marine animals. The first aquarium in Japan opened in 1882. It was located in Ueno Zoo, which, at that time, belonged to the Imperial Family. More recently, cutting-edge Japanese technology has made it possible to produce crystal-clear tanks of any shape or size, and to maintain saltwater tanks very far from the ocean. One aquarium has become a powerful symbol of Japan's recovery from the massive March 2011 earthquake. Another is run by high school students who not only catch and breed fish but also serve as friendly and knowledgeable guides. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is aquariums, which give us a glimpse into the Japanese love for creatures of the sea.
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NaN/100 votes#21 - Confectionery
Season 5 Episode 21 - Aired 6/14/2012
Various sweets first came to Japan from the West, but the Japanese put their own distinctive stamp on them. Today, this "Western-style confectionery" is an important part of Japanese culinary culture. The first Western confectionery that came to Japan was brought by Christian missionaries from Portugal and Spain in the mid-16th century. In the mid-19th century, after being closed off for centuries, Japan opened to foreign commerce. New confections poured in from the West, and original recipes were adjusted to suit Japanese tastes. In the last 50 years, Western-style Japanese confections have earned popularity and acclaim in the West, and Japanese chefs have won top prizes in the world's most prestigious confectionery competitions. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at Japan's own brand of Western-style confectionery and what it reveals about Japanese culture.
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NaN/100 votes#22 - Dolls
Season 5 Episode 22 - Aired 6/21/2012
From ritual charm to children's toy, from star of the stage to life companion, dolls play a wide range of roles in Japanese society. Japanese dolls have their origins in religious charms that absorbed misfortunes or diseases that would otherwise befall people. Over time, dolls became toys for children, works of art valued for their beauty, and even part of the performing arts. It is a traditional Japanese belief that a doll can have its own soul. When dolls become old and worn out, some people go to great lengths to give them a proper send-off. The United States and Japan once had a historic exchange of dolls. These dolls were sent as symbols of friendship, but war later twisted their original meaning. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at dolls - the special roles they have played over the ages and the special affection the Japanese have always felt for them.
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#23 - Moss
Season 5 Episode 23 - Aired 7/5/2012
Mosses are some of the most primitive terrestrial plants. They have no roots - only leaves and stems. But moss is deeply embedded in the Japanese way of life. You'll even find the word for moss in the Japanese national anthem. It is an essential element of bonsai and of Japanese-style landscape gardens. One temple garden was originally designed as a large bed of white gravel. But war and natural disaster left it in ruins. The garden was neglected for centuries and became overgrown with moss. It took on a new kind of beauty and is one of the most famous and beloved gardens in Japan today. Moss is the home of tiny forest creatures. Water bears and trapdoor spiders are just two of the fascinating creatures that rely on moss. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at moss - its remarkable ecology and some of the uniquely Japanese ways of enjoying it.
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#24 - High School Baseball
Season 5 Episode 24 - Aired 7/12/2012
Each summer, Hanshin Koshien Stadium in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, becomes the stage for a drama that grips the entire nation. Here, high school baseball teams from across the country assemble to compete for the national championship. Fans, in the stands and at home, go wild with excitement. Yu Darvish, Hideki Matsui, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and many other Japanese players who have gone on to play Major League baseball in the US made their names at Koshien as youth players. One epic 18-inning game is considered Koshien's greatest ever. Where are the players now? Some men continue to chase the dream of playing at Koshien Stadium decades after finishing high school. But how? On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at high school baseball - how it is more than just a sport and why it captivates the Japanese imagination like nothing else.
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NaN/100 votes#25 - Planetariums
Season 5 Episode 25 - Aired 7/19/2012
Today, there are about 400 planetariums in Japan. That's the second largest number in the world, after the US. The world's largest planetarium, with a dome 35 meters across, is in Nagoya. Japanese people have long enjoyed the starry skies, on occasions such as moon-viewing parties and the annual star festival. And a recent assortment of astronomical phenomena viewable from Japan, including a solar eclipse this May, has helped drive a stargazing boom. These days, you can enjoy the planetarium experience not only in specialized facilities but also at cafes and even a Buddhist temple! Cutting-edge Japanese-made optical projectors have captured over 70 percent of the global market. They are typically made by large manufacturers, but one Japanese man single-handedly changed this high-tech industry. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is planetariums. We'll bring you the latest on efforts in Japan to recreate the starry sky in greater detail than ever before.
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The Best Episodes of Begin Japanology Season 5
Every episode of Begin Japanology Season 5 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Begin Japanology Season 5!
BEGIN Japanology invites you into the world of Japanese culture, both traditional and modern, explaining how traditions evolved and the part they still play today...
Genre:Documentary
Season 5 Ratings Summary
"Ekiden" is the best rated episode of "Begin Japanology" season 5. It scored N/A/10 based on 0 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 1/12/2012. This episode is rated NaN points higher than the second-best, "Batteries".