The Best Episodes of Japanology Plus Season 9

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#1 - Japanophiles: Tom Hovasse
S9:E11/6/2022
In a Japanophiles interview, Peter Barakan meets Tom Hovasse, a basketball coach from the USA. After spending much of his playing career in Japan, Hovasse began coaching Japanese teams. In 2017 he was appointed head coach of the Japan women's national basketball team, and under his leadership they won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Following that success, he was recently appointed to a new role: head coach of the men's team. Hovasse talks about his journey, and his coaching philosophy.
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#2 - Kotatsu: Heated Tables
S9:E21/13/2022
Kotatsu are low tables with a heat source underneath, and a blanket draped over the top. For hundreds of years, Japanese have gathered around them in the cold winter months. They're cozy and comfortable; perfect for watching TV, studying and chatting to family and friends. Our guest, architect and university professor Watanabe Shinichi, talks about the social and environmental benefits of Kotatsu. And in Plus One, Kanoa tries out Kotatsu in some unusual locations.
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#3 - VTubers
S9:E31/20/2022
VTubers create online content using a computer-generated avatar. Motion capture technology enables them to record their gestures and expressions, and then apply those movements to the animated avatar. The concept emerged in the mid 2010s, and then experienced a rapid increase in popularity. Our guest, Professor Inami Masahiko, explains the appeal of interacting online using an avatar, and talks about the technology's potential. We also see how VTubing is being used to promote regional revitalization.
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#4 - Traditional Homes
S9:E42/17/2022
Traditional Japanese homes, featuring earthen walls, wooden beams and thatched roofs, have been used for centuries. Built using local materials, they incorporated clever techniques to keep the interior warm in winter and cool in summer. Our guest, architect Maruya Hiroo, introduces several traditional houses, and explains what life was like for the people who called them home. And in Plus One, Matt Alt sees how the restoration and continued use of old houses is helping to revitalize a small town.
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#5 - Jomon Period: The Sannai Maruyama Site
S9:E53/10/2022
The Jomon period lasted from around 13,000 BC to 300 BC. This society of hunter-gatherers cherished peace, cooperation and a deep connection to the natural world. In the first of 2 episodes about the Jomon period, we look at the Sannai Maruyama Site. 6,000 years ago, a large settlement was established here. Okada Yasuhiro shows us around recreated buildings, and introduces various artifacts. He explains what they tell us about the Jomon people, and their outlook on life.
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#6 - Jomon Period: Dogu
S9:E63/17/2022
The Jomon period lasted from around 13,000 BC to 300 BC. This society of hunter-gatherers cherished peace, cooperation and a deep connection to the natural world. In the second of 2 episodes about the Jomon period, we look at clay figurines called Dogu. They feature dramatic poses, exaggerated features and cord-marked patterns. Museum curator Kokubo Takuya talks about research into Dogu, and the information it has revealed about their purpose and their importance.
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#7 - Japanophiles: Steve Tallon
S9:E73/24/2022
Steve Tallon is a cycling enthusiast from the UK. In 2005, he spent 8 months cycling from the UK to Japan. It was a 16,000-kilometer journey through Europe, the Middle East, central Asia and China. In a Japanophiles interview, Tallon tells Peter Barakan what inspired him to undertake this trip. He talks about the adventures he experienced along the way, and the appeal of cycling. Tallon, now a 30-year resident of Japan, also takes us to one of his favorite local destinations.
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#8 - Face Masks
S9:E84/14/2022
Since the outbreak of COVID-19, people all over the world have become accustomed to wearing masks. But in Japan, a custom of mask-wearing dates back hundreds of years. Today, innovations are addressing the communication problems that masks can cause. Our guest, science historian Sumida Tomohisa, offers his views on why Japanese feel so at ease wearing masks. And in Plus One, Lemi Duncan looks at ways to make masks more fashionable.
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#9 - Washi: Japanese Paper
S9:E94/28/2022
Japanese paper, known as washi, is attractively textured and extremely durable. For centuries, it has been used in many aspects of Japanese life and culture. Our guest, Akutsu Tomohiro, talks about his work repairing and reinforcing old documents using washi. He introduces various techniques used in Japanese paper making, and shows us some surprising new products. We also meet modern artists and craftspeople who are exploring new possibilities for washi.
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#10 - Name Stamps and Seals
S9:E105/12/2022
For hundreds of years, Japanese have used name stamps, known as Hanko, to prove their identity. People use stamps in everyday situations, such as receiving a parcel, and in formal contexts, such as business transactions. Our guest, Hanko carver Kobayashi Shigehito, shows us how a Hanko is made by hand. We also learn how the move towards remote working, triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, is affecting how Hanko are used.
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#11 - Showa Nostalgia
S9:E115/19/2022
The "Showa era" was the period of Japanese history between 1926 and 1989. The 60s, 70s and 80s are fondly remembered in Japan as a time when many were feeling the positive effects of a booming economy. That nostalgia has been growing in recent years, even among those who didn't experience the Showa era first-hand. Our guest, Professor Kono Kohei of Ibaraki University, introduces the bold designs and physical appeal of Showa era products, and explains why cafes from those days are attracting young customers.
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