NaN/100 votes#1 - Japanophiles: Tom Hovasse
Season 9 Episode 1 - Aired 1/6/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#2 - Kotatsu: Heated Tables
Season 9 Episode 2 - Aired 1/13/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#3 - VTubers
Season 9 Episode 3 - Aired 1/20/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#4 - Traditional Homes
Season 9 Episode 4 - Aired 2/17/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#5 - Jomon Period: The Sannai Maruyama Site
Season 9 Episode 5 - Aired 3/10/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#6 - Jomon Period: Dogu
Season 9 Episode 6 - Aired 3/17/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#7 - Japanophiles: Steve Tallon
Season 9 Episode 7 - Aired 3/24/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#8 - Face Masks
Season 9 Episode 8 - Aired 4/14/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
7.0/101 votes#9 - Washi: Japanese Paper
Season 9 Episode 9 - Aired 4/28/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#10 - Name Stamps and Seals
Season 9 Episode 10 - Aired 5/12/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#11 - Showa Nostalgia
Season 9 Episode 11 - Aired 5/19/2022
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.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#12 - Japanophiles: Claudio Feliciani
Season 9 Episode 12 - Aired 6/2/2022
Claudio Feliciani is a Swiss-Italian scientist whose main interest is the movement of crowds. He worked alongside 3 Japanese scientists on a study that examined why people bump into each other when some of them are looking at a smartphone. It won an Ig Nobel Prize, which honors research that first makes you laugh, then makes you think. In a Japanophiles interview, Feliciani tells Peter Barakan how he ended up in Japan, and why he finds crowds so fascinating.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#13 - Keitora: Tiny Trucks
Season 9 Episode 13 - Aired 6/16/2022
40% of the motor vehicles in Japan are ultra-compact "kei" cars. These light vehicles are maneuverable, practical and cost-efficient. Tiny "kei" pickup trucks, known as "keitora," are especially common in rural Japan. They're perfect for narrow unpaved countryside roads. Our guest, motoring journalist Maruyama Makoto, shows us how "keitora" usage is diversifying in modern Japan. And in Plus One, Vinay Murthy makes a dry landscape garden on the back of a tiny truck.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#14 - Vinyl Records
Season 9 Episode 14 - Aired 6/30/2022
In Japan, vinyl records have made a comeback. Sales in 2021 were 10 times higher than they were in 2010. Japan's second-hand records are well-regarded all over the world because they're generally kept in great condition. Our guest, Honne Makoto, works for a record manufacturing company. He tells us about the history of vinyl in Japan, and its appeal in the modern era. We also see how world-class Japanese technology contributes to making vinyl records and the machines that play them.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#15 - Okinawa: The Ryukyu Kingdom
Season 9 Episode 15 - Aired 7/14/2022
Okinawa Prefecture is a group of subtropical islands in the far south of Japan. It was previously a prosperous maritime trading state called the Ryukyu Kingdom. In the first of 2 episodes about Okinawa, we discover how the Ryukyu Kingdom maintained an independent identity for 450 years. Our guest, historian Uezato Takashi, talks about the clever diplomatic strategies Ryukyu used with its larger neighbors, China and Japan. And we learn how that contributed to an eclectic and original outlook.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#16 - Okinawa: The Reconstruction of Shuri Castle
Season 9 Episode 16 - Aired 7/21/2022
Okinawa Prefecture is a group of subtropical islands in the far south of Japan. It was previously a prosperous maritime trading state called the Ryukyu Kingdom. In the second of 2 episodes about Okinawa, we focus on the kingdom's political and cultural hub: Shuri Castle. Our guest, historian Takara Kurayoshi, talks about working on the castle's reconstruction, and shares how he felt in 2019, when a devastating fire burned it to the ground. He also tells us about the forthcoming reconstruction project.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#17 - Frozen Food
Season 9 Episode 17 - Aired 7/28/2022
In Japan, frozen food is an essential part of many people's lives. Companies are constantly developing new techniques that make products tastier, longer lasting and more convenient. Our guest, consumer consultant Miura Yoshiko, explains why frozen food is so popular. She introduces some of the latest developments, such as flash freezing. And in Plus One, Matt Alt learns about new types of ice.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#18 - Japanophiles: Gregory Khezrnejat
Season 9 Episode 18 - Aired 8/11/2022
Gregory Khezrnejat is an author and university associate professor from the United States. In 2021, his Japanese-language novel Kamogawa Runner won the second annual Kyoto Literature Award. The novel is inspired by Khezrnejat's early experiences in Japan. In a Japanophiles interview, he talks to Peter Barakan about the challenges involved in expressing yourself in a second language. He reads excerpts from the book, and talks about his work as an associate professor of literature at a Japanese university.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#19 - Goldfish
Season 9 Episode 19 - Aired 8/25/2022
Goldfish were introduced to Japan in the 16th century, and since then, they have become widely admired. Many people keep them as pets, and they are a common motif on everyday objects. Our guest, author and goldfish expert Kawada Yonosuke, introduces various unusual varieties, and explains the role that goldfish play in Japanese culture. Peter tries his hand at goldfish scooping, and we meet an artist presenting goldfish in an innovative new way.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#20 - Welfare Goods
Season 9 Episode 20 - Aired 9/8/2022
The average age of the Japanese population is rising quickly. To offer care that matches the diverse needs of Japan's many elderly people, Japan produces a wide range of welfare goods. Various ingenious products offer physical and emotional support to help people live independently. Our guest, physiotherapist Matsuba Takashi, introduces a number of devices, including wheelchairs and one-handed chopsticks. We also see how robots are used in modern welfare facilities.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#21 - Water-related Disasters
Season 9 Episode 21 - Aired 9/29/2022
Japan suffers from frequent water-related natural disasters, such as flooding, landslides and storm surges. Throughout history, methods to mitigate their effects have been devised. Our guest, university professor Kawaike Kenji, introduces a facility that recreates disaster conditions in order to study them. We hear why these events are so common in Japan, and explore some potential solutions. And in Plus One, Matt Alt tries out some innovative emergency supplies.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#22 - Japanophiles: Andrew Dewar
Season 9 Episode 22 - Aired 10/13/2022
Andrew Dewar, originally from Toronto, Canada, is a designer of paper airplanes. His interest was sparked at the age of ten, when he encountered a sleek, unfamiliar paper-airplane design. Dewar contacted its creator: Ninomiya Yasuaki, a Japanese master of the craft. The encounter inspired a lifelong passion. In a Japanophiles interview, Dewar tells Peter Barakan about his innovative approach to paper-airplane design, and explains why Japan is the perfect place for fans of this activity.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#23 - The Moon
Season 9 Episode 23 - Aired 10/20/2022
The moon has been cherished and admired throughout Japanese history. People have long held moon-viewing events, and expressed gratitude for the moon's role in successful harvests. Our expert guest, Miura Yasuko, speaks about moon-related traditions, and comments on why people in Japan feel such an affinity for the moon. We learn about developments in the space industry presently advancing in Japan. And in Plus One, Matt Alt visits a toy company that has created a miniature robot for exploring the lunar surface.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#24 - Cardboard
Season 9 Episode 24 - Aired 11/24/2022
Japan is one of the world's top consumers of cardboard. The cardboard beds used during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games captured global attention. That was just one example of the many innovative ways in which Japan has made use of this humble material. Our guest, university professor Saito Katsuhiko, introduces some new products, and comments on the cultural aspects of cardboard in Japanese life. In Plus One, Matt Alt learns how to make cardboard artwork from a master of the craft.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
NaN/100 votes#25 - The Samurai of the Sea: Pirates or Protectors?
Season 9 Episode 25 - Aired 12/8/2022
Around 500 years ago, sea traffic in the Seto Inland Sea was monitored and controlled by a group called the "Murakami Kaizoku." The word "kaizoku" translates to "pirates," but these seafarers weren't thieves; they actually helped to keep the area safe. In the first of two episodes about the Murakami Kaizoku, museum curator Tanaka Ken tells us about their activities, and takes us to a former kaizoku stronghold. We learn about their incredible seamanship, and their cultural sensibilities.
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
The Best Episodes of Japanology Plus Season 9
Every episode of Japanology Plus Season 9 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Japanology Plus Season 9!
Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai,...
Genres:DocumentaryTalk
Network:NHK WORLD-JAPAN
Season 9 Ratings Summary
"Japanophiles: Tom Hovasse" is the best rated episode of "Japanology Plus" season 9. It scored N/A/10 based on 0 votes. Directed by N/A and written by N/A, it aired on 1/6/2022. This episode is rated NaN points higher than the second-best, "Kotatsu: Heated Tables".