Every season of Time and Tide ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best seasons of Time and Tide!

A young boy carries on his back the lifeless body of his younger brother, in the devastated city of Nagasaki after the atomic bomb. An American military photographer, Joe O'Donnell, took a picture of him standing stoically near a cremation pit. No one knows the boy's name, but the photo has become an iconic image of the human tragedy of nuclear war. This program follows the continuing efforts to deepen understanding of the photograph, while exploring the fate of thousands of "atomic-bomb orphans" and their struggles to survive the aftermath of World War II.

Searching for the Standing Boy of Nagasaki

UNTOLD STORIES OF THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA: Women and Teens on the Frontline

SAMURAI CASTLES: Tenshu - The Tower Keep

Another Story: The Crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123

Time Scoop Hunter: A "Sangaku" Battle of Wits

Ukraine: Echoes of History

Another Story: Asama-Sanso Incident - Ten Days of Suspense

History Uncovered: Osaka's Tragic Folding Screen

Nagasaki: 188 Memories of the Bomb

Women Painting War

MUSASHI TRUTH

SAMURAI WISDOM - ODA NOBUNAGA

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore – ZASHIKI WARASHI

Time Scoop Hunter: A Secret Mission - Release the Yabumi!

Another Story: The Abduction of Yokota Megumi - A Family's Struggle

Time Scoop Hunter: Edo's Substitute Farters

Time Scoop Hunter: The Timekeepers

Another Story: How Fist of the North Star Came to Be

Another Story: "SUKIYAKI" - Behind Japan's No. 1 US Hit

SAMURAI WISDOM: Takeda Shingen

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore – HIMEUO

SAKURA TRUTH

Time Scoop Hunter: A Boiling-hot Tocha Battle!

SAMURAI WISDOM: Tokugawa Ieyasu

SAMURAI CASTLES: Hikone Castle

History Uncovered: Muramasa - Cursed Blade

SAMURAI CASTLES: Matsumoto Castle

RIKYU TRUTH

The Floating World - First Contact

Time Scoop Hunter: Restoration, Love, and English

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore – TOMOKAZUKI

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore – KONAKIJIJI

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore – USHIONI

SAMURAI WISDOM—DATE MASAMUNE

History Uncovered: Tsukumo Nasu - Power in a Tea Caddy

MOUNT FUJI TRUTH

The Japanese sword, a formidable weapon now appreciated as a work of fine artisanship. The samurai particularly valued Muramasa blades. Over 400 years ago, shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu himself wielded a Muramasa as he secured his leadership over a unified Japan. But his sword was also thought cursed. The Tokugawa shoguns passed the weapon down over the generations. But why? Japanese sword expert and former British Museum curator Paul Martin explores the mystery of this legendary cursed blade.

A long-beloved tale dating back some 300 years, Kanadehon Chushingura tells the story of the famed 47 ronin as they avenge the death of their lord, helping us uncover truths about Japanese character.

History Uncovered: Chushingura - Tears of 47 Ronin

Uesugi Kenshin: Japan's fiercest warrior fought not for glory, but to restore order. We learn from the wisdom of this supremely successful commander.

SAMURAI WISDOM: UESUGI KENSHIN

In this episode, we take a look at the single-eyed Hitotsumekozo, which is feared in Kanagawa Prefecture as a Yokai that appears once a year to punish those who have committed bad deeds.

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore – HITOTSUMEKOZO

Matsuyama Castle with its main keep, which is a designated National Cultural Asset, turrets, stone walls and gates tells us much about strong defenses and the daily life of the lord and his vassals.

SAMURAI CASTLES: Matsuyama Castle

Osaka Castle is one of Japan's largest, covering over 100ha. The 30m stone walls and 90m moat are impressive. Why was such a huge castle needed? Learn about the powerful daimyo who moved history.

SAMURAI CASTLES: Osaka Castle

Sanada Yukimura remains a folk hero to this day. His clan used information and ingenuity to take on powerful foes, even the shogun Ieyasu himself.

SAMURAI WISDOM: THE SANADA

The chonmage is the distinctive hairstyle of the samurai. Yet much about it remains unknown. Through interviews and experiments, we set out to discover the truth about when and how it came into being.

SAMURAI CHONMAGE TRUTH

Japan's iconic ukiyo-e artist Katsushika Hokusai left an indelible mark on the art world. We trace the development of "The Great Wave" and the location that inspired "Rainstorm beneath the Summit."

HOKUSAI TRUTH

In the 19th century, Japan opened its doors. The "Kimono Dress"—emblematic of a broader clothing revolution—sheds light on Japan's forward-looking strategy as it joined the global community.

History Uncovered KIMONO DRESS - Japan's Clothing Revolution

Kanazawa Castle has an elegant design not seen in other castles. It has plastered geometric-patterned walls; white, metallic roof tiles; and a diversity of stone walls. Money was no object.

SAMURAI CASTLES: Kanazawa Castle

Solidifying Tokugawa shogunate rule, "born shogun" Iemitsu, third of his line, paved the way for dramatic change via political reform and new ideas.

SAMURAI WISDOM: TOKUGAWA IEMITSU

Himeji Castle with its white keep is one of Japan's most famous castles. But its beauty is deceiving. The paths to the keep follow the hill's gradient and hold many surprises for potential attackers.

SAMURAI CASTLES: Himeji – The Defenses

Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts the tallest, extant main keep in Japan. The elegant main keep and the sub-keeps are connected by corridors, forming a sturdy defense.

SAMURAI CASTLES: Himeji – The Keep

Sawajima Yuichi travels to the Warring States period, when three ninja receive a top-secret order to steal an enemy castle's architectural plans. Will they be able to accomplish their mission?

Time Scoop Hunter: The True Face of the Ninja

Sushi is an iconic dish of Japan, with nigirizushi being the most popular style. We take a look at its evolution and the creation of key ingredients.

SUSHI TRUTH

This episode features the aquatic Namikozo, which warns locals in the area of the Enshu-nada Sea of coming changes in the weather by beating its drum to give waves a distinct, rumbling tone.

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore – NAMIKOZO

The Yokai Ubume was said to be a ghostly woman appearing at night, asking passersby to hold her child under threat of death. We examine how this terrifying figure came to be seen as a sympathetic one.

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore – UBUME

In this episode, we pursue the shape-shifting trickster Mujina. This being associated with raccoon dogs is known on Niigata Prefecture's Sado Island as both human and animal, yokai and deity.

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore – MUJINA

Sawajima Yuichi investigates matchmaking in the Edo period. Matchmaker Oume is known for her skill in finding successful matches. Discover what it was like finding a partner in old Tokyo.

Time Scoop Hunter: Matchmaking in Edo Period

Clad in shining gold, Kinkakuji stands out even in Kyoto Prefecture. What inspired the samurai who built this stunning temple?

SAMURAI WISDOM—ASHIKAGA YOSHIMITSU—

Iconic Japanese armor, worn for defense. 16th-century helmets featured outlandish shapes like a giant crescent moon or the ears of a rabbit. Behind its creation, we uncover the spirit of the samurai.

History Uncovered: The Armor of Japan - Beauty in Defense

"Time and Tide" transcends time to detail extraordinary historical events in Japan and the larger world. Join NHK WORLD-JAPAN on a journey that reveals the truth behind some of the turning points of the past.

The Best Seasons of Time and Tide

The Best Seasons of Time and Tide

Season 1

Season 3

Season 4

Season 5