Taro Okamoto was Japan's leading avant-garde artist of the 20th century. His memorable phrase "Art is an explosion!" became a well-known expression, winning him popularity with the general public. Okamoto ignored established ideals of beauty, instead reaching back to Japan's prehistoric Jomon period for inspiration. In the folkways of remote rural regions, he sought traces of Jomon beauty long forgotten in urban Japan. In 1970, Japan hosted Expo '70. The symbol of the science and technology exposition was Okamoto's Tower of the Sun. The shining golden face at the top of the tower stands for the future. Then, in 2008, a work long thought to be lost was unveiled in Tokyo's Shibuya Station. Okamoto chose the atomic bomb as his theme for Tomorrow's Mythology. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at the life of Taro Okamoto, the free spirit who battled Japan's entrenched values in pursuit of art. Air Date : 12th-May-2011

Mochi, a glutinous dough made from steamed rice, is a favorite food among the Japanese. At least two people are required to make mochi the traditional way: a mallet man and a flipper. The movements of the two must be perfectly synchronized, and the best teams can be very interesting to watch. Mochi is used in various ways at the New Year and on important occasions in life. At weddings, the groom may take part in mochi pounding. Its stickiness symbolizes a wish that the couple will enjoy a strong, lasting bond. A soup of mochi, vegetables, meat, and seafood is an essential part of many New Year's meals throughout Japan. The recipes vary not only from region to region, but almost from family to family. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at mochi rice cake - a food steeped in history and the Japanese way of life. Air Date : 13th-Jan-2011  Read More

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Around 20 million people live in Japan's "snow zone," where a single winter brings at least five meters of snow altogether. Japan is distinct in having so much snow so far south. Life in the snow zone has inspired many innovations. Traditional homes in Gifu Prefecture have steep, snow-shedding roofs and flexible frames. People in Niigata Prefecture weave colorful textiles whose brightness can be enhanced by laying them on the snow on a sunny day. Snow creates beautiful visual effects, as well as bringing great pleasure to children. In parts of Japan, children gather in snow huts on winter evenings. Some farmers look at mountainside snowmelt patterns to help them decide when to plant rice, and one farmer even uses snow to preserve the taste of freshly harvested rice. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at snow - how the Japanese appreciate it, cope with it, and coexist with it. Air Date : 17th-Feb-2011  Read More

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In Japan, traditional wooden furniture is assembled without using a single nail. Advanced sashimono joinery techniques have been passed down for centuries. There are around 30 different basic types of joint. Tenons and mortises are carved to precisely matching shapes. Sashimono techniques are used not just to connect pieces of wood, but also to enhance visual impact. Master craftsmen use subtle optical illusions to make finished items look more elegant. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at sashimono woodwork, which embodies the essence of Japanese aesthetics and traditional craftsmanship. Air Date : 10th-Mar-2011  Read More

Cranes have been revered throughout Japan since ancient times. Forming almost inseparable mating pairs, cranes are a symbol of harmonious married life. Crane motifs are widely used on wedding clothing and accessories in Japan. A flock of red-crowned cranes on Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido is one of the world's few non-migrating populations. The red-crowned crane is a rare success story in wildlife protection. However, the increase in crane population in recent years has brought new problems. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at cranes and the longstanding fascination they have held for the people of Japan. Air Date : 7th-Apr-2011  Read More

Knives for culinary purposes have been made in Japan for centuries, using a technique perfected by Japanese swordsmiths. The blades are sharpened on only one side, ideal for cleanly separating fish flesh from the bone. One of the 50 different types of Japanese kitchen knives is the sword-like "tuna knife." It's 1.5 meters long, and two people are needed to wield it. 90 percent of the knives used by Japanese kitchen professionals are made in Sakai, a city in Osaka. Local artisans in Sakai still make each knife by hand, to order. It took a small Japanese manufacturer five years to perfect the world's first all-stainless-steel knife. Now it exports more than 600,000 knives each year. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we explore the long history of Japanese kitchen knives. Air Date : 14th-Apr-2011  Read More

People of all ages have long been drawn to Japan's seas, rivers, and lakes to enjoy fishing. Over the centuries, the Japanese have used great ingenuity to develop unique tackle such as lacquer-coated bamboo fishing rods, handmade fishing hooks, and silk fishing lines. Some people set out to catch the smallest fish they can. Catching tiny fish requires an equally small rod. And small hooks are sharpened to make them even smaller. Lure fishing is increasingly popular in Japan. Exquisite fish-shaped lures with beautiful patterns and meticulously carved scales and gills look just like the real thing. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at fishing and what it reveals about Japan's pursuit of pleasure and perfection. Air Date : 21st-Apr-2011  Read More

Japanese armour was developed to offer protection from spears, arrows, and swords, while allowing agile movement on rough terrain and steep slopes. After the introduction of firearms, the future shogun adopted aspects of Western-style armour, leading to a major turning point in Japanese history. The best armour is a complex work of art. It takes Japan's few remaining specialists up to three years to make a full suit. But today, enthusiasts will spend hundreds of hours crafting realistic replicas from everyday materials. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at Japanese armour, its beauty, and what it means to people in Japan. Air Date : 28th-Apr-2011  Read More

Judo is practiced by around eight million people in 199 countries and regions, making it the most widely played sport that was developed in Japan. Players grapple with each other on a mat and win by pinning an opponent for a certain amount of time or with one of the many throwing techniques. Redirecting an opponent's momentum, players are able to throw people much taller and heavier than themselves with little strength. It's not just about competition. Players don't celebrate victory on the mat. Competition begins and ends with a bow. And an honorable player doesn't take advantage of an opponent's injury. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we explore the deep spirit of judo and its spectacular techniques. Air Date : 5th-May-2011  Read More

Taro Okamoto was Japan's leading avant-garde artist of the 20th century. His memorable phrase "Art is an explosion!" became a well-known expression, winning him popularity with the general public. Okamoto ignored established ideals of beauty, instead reaching back to Japan's prehistoric Jomon period for inspiration. In the folkways of remote rural regions, he sought traces of Jomon beauty long forgotten in urban Japan. In 1970, Japan hosted Expo '70. The symbol of the science and technology exposition was Okamoto's Tower of the Sun. The shining golden face at the top of the tower stands for the future. Then, in 2008, a work long thought to be lost was unveiled in Tokyo's Shibuya Station. Okamoto chose the atomic bomb as his theme for Tomorrow's Mythology. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at the life of Taro Okamoto, the free spirit who battled Japan's entrenched values in pursuit of art. Air Date : 12th-May-2011  Read More

Osamu Dazai (1909-48) was one of Japan's preeminent modern novelists. Born in wealthy circumstances that he later rejected, Dazai drew attention as a writer when he was 26 for Flowers of Buffoonery. His life was turbulent and controversial. While still a student, he started living with a geisha. After he married, he kept a mistress. He battled addiction and finally committed suicide. Dazai's books never go out of fashion. Even today, more than 60 years after his death, Dazai continues to be popular among young people. Some of his major works are: No Longer Human; Run, Melos!; Return to Tsugaru; and The Setting Sun. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at the life of Osamu Dazai, a troubled author who nevertheless wrote some of Japan's most enduringly popular literature. Air Date : 19th-May-2011  Read More

Kenzo Tange laid the foundations of modern architecture in Japan. On August 6, 1945, the day the U.S. detonated an atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Tange lost all that mattered most to him. Four years after World War II, Tange won the competition to design the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, marking his debut on the architectural scene. As Japan rebuilt and grew, Tange shaped the skylines and landscapes of its cities with landmark projects such as the Yoyogi National Gymnasium, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buildings, and St. Mary's Cathedral. Tange also developed urban plans for cities outside Japan, including Nigeria's capital, Macedonia's capital, and Naples in Italy. By the time of his death in 2005, Tange had completed over 330 projects. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at the life of architect Kenzo Tange. Air Date : 26th-May-2011  Read More

As a child, Maehata studied traditional swimming techniques passed down from the days of the samurai. At 18, competing in the 200 meters breaststroke at the 1932 Summer Olympics, she missed out on gold by one-tenth of a second. Determined to do better, Maehata trained incredibly hard for the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. On August 11, 1936, Japan's first live international radio broadcast brought the drama of the women's 200-meter breaststroke final to the entire nation. Maehata won. After a long hiatus, she returned to the sport as a teacher to help rebuild Japan's swimming culture. She suffered a stroke in 1983, but characteristically battled back and resumed coaching. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at the life of Hideko Maehata, a woman who captured the imagination of the Japanese public. Air Date : 2nd-Jun-2011  Read More

Japan is famous for its high-tech toilets with water spray functions and lots more, and toilet technology continues to evolve in unique ways. After months of research, a Japanese toilet manufacturer found the ideal temperature for a cleansing water jet. When short-circuiting became a concern, a solution was found in a surprising place. Western-style toilets are commonplace in Japan, but many public restrooms are still fitted with traditional squat toilets. These can be baffling for foreigners who don't know which direction to face when using them. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we take a look at toilets and how they relate to Japan's love of cleanliness. Air Date : 9th-Jun-2011  Read More

Japan leads the world in building ever-faster and ever-quieter lifts, or elevators. In 2004, Japan's long history of engineering know-how was used to build the world's fastest elevator in Taipei 101, a 509-meter landmark skyscraper in Taiwan. The elevator travels at up to 60 km/h! At Tokyo's Roppongi Hills, one of Japan's largest multipurpose complexes, elevators serve two floors at once: an even and an odd floor. In other office buildings, cameras and ID cards connected to computers dispatch lifts automatically. Will "space elevators" someday carry people into orbit? The key may be carbon nanotubes, a material that was brought to the forefront of science in Japan. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at the continued evolution of lifts and how they have become an indispensable daily convenience in Japan. Air Date : 16th-Jun-2011  Read More

Japan is the largest producer of motorcycles in the world. It has proudly held this title since 1960. Today, Japan produces all sizes of motorcycles. The Honda Super Cub is an especially popular smaller motorcycle with over 70 million units produced. Large motorcycles are now finding new levels of popularity among older generations of riders. Motorcycles also gave one Japanese woman with a disability fresh confidence and a renewed appreciation of life. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is motorcycles. We look at the evolution of these machines and the passion of the people who have devoted their lives to them. Air Date : 23rd-Jun-2011  Read More

Japan is the world's number one consumer of eels, or unagi. Grilled, glazed unagi ranks alongside sushi and tempura as one of the best-known types of Japanese cuisine. It is even reputed to boost stamina. The Japanese have been eating eels for more than 5,000 years. Traditional methods of catching them are still practiced in many regions of Japan. In recent decades, farmed eels have provided most of Japan's unagi supply. Farmed eels are generally considered not as tasty as those caught wild, but some eel farmers have developed unique methods to improve the flavor. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at unagi and how it has provided sustenance in Japan from ancient times to the present. Air Date : 30th-Jun-2011  Read More

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. When ink-brush artist Ilan Yanizky paints, he splashes vibrant colors as though conducting an orchestra. His unconventional painting style is actually based on a traditional art form in which plants, animals, and landscapes are portrayed in an austere monochrome black palette. Born in Israel, Yanizky first arrived in Japan 28 years ago at the age of 27. Looking to expand his art beyond the possibilities of oil painting, he came to Japan seeking a new challenge. Today, even after years of training, he says he is still learning. Yanizky now spends his days teaching in his Tokyo classroom, practicing tai chi, and painting in his studio. Today, we explore a unique artistic realm where Western and Eastern painting traditions meet: the world of Ilan Yanizky. Air Date : 7th-Jul-2011  Read More

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Silvain Guignard came to Japan 28 years ago and is now a master of the biwa, the Japanese lute. Today, he performs both in Japan and abroad. He also teaches ancient Japanese music as a professor at a university in Osaka where one of his main goals is to make the subject more accessible to his students. Before coming to Japan, Guignard was already an established Chopin scholar. He was 30 years old when he first encountered the biwa. His switch from Chopin to the biwa occurred in 1983 when he met a musician who would change his life. For 23 years, Guignard studied the biwa under this musician, a Living National Treasure. Nowadays, Guignard's life is deeply embedded in the rhythms of Japanese culture and tradition. His everyday experience of Japan has become indispensable to his performance on the biwa. Air Date : 14th-Jul-2011  Read More

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Stéphane Danton is breathing new life into Japanese tea. He subtly adjusts the flavor of the green tea that people in Japan are accustomed to. At a time when fewer people in Japan are drinking traditional Japanese tea, Danton's new take on tea has become popular with young people, and especially women. Danton's interest in Japanese tea began in 1992. He came to Japan to import wines, but in his travels around the country he encountered tea plantations that reminded him of the vineyards of his native Lyon. In 2005, Danton opened a shop in Tokyo. Three years later, at the Japanese pavilion at Expo 2008 in Spain, he showcased teas that reflected his expertise as a sommelier and his own refined taste. Danton also debuted a new flavored tea he had created, and people loved it. Air Date : 21st-Jul-2011  Read More

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. American potter Dorothy Feibleman lives and works in Japan where she creates her works using a traditional Japanese technique called nerikomi. Many of her works are so delicate that light can pass through them, transporting the mind to a world of fantasy. Feibleman first came to Japan in 1993, when she submitted work to a competition in Aichi Prefecture. In 1997, one of her pieces was added to the collection of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Today, she lives and works in Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture. Feibleman's translucent porcelain is blazing new trails in the world of ceramics. Adding layers of Western technique to Eastern tradition, Dorothy Feibleman produces a constant stream of unique creations. Air Date : 28th-Jul-2011  Read More

In Japan, scrumptious looking dishes like marbled beef, spaghetti, and fluffy omelets often sit in restaurant windows tilted at gravity defying angles. Why don't they spill? Because the dishes aren't real! They are ultra-realistic plastic models. Skilled artisans constantly strive to make plastic food look realistic and delicious. Recently, the striking visual impact of plastic food has made the models popular souvenirs with foreign tourists. They've also found applications in stationery, interior design, and nutritional education initiatives. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we trace the history and explore the mystery of plastic food samples, a uniquely Japanese creation. Air Date : 18th-Aug-2011  Read More

Japan is home to over 30,000 insect species, and insects are a familiar part of Japanese life. For centuries, staging battles between insects has been a popular pastime in Japan, and Japanese children love catching insects and keeping them as pets. Different seasons have different insect attractions. Summer nights are associated with the faint glow of fireflies. Autumn is known for beautiful insect sounds. Insects were once an important food source in Japan. It is still possible to find people who go hunting for wasps' nests, as wasp larvae are a traditional delicacy. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is insects. By looking at how they are appreciated and what insect-related customs there are, we examine how the Japanese view and enjoy the natural world. Air Date : 25th-Aug-2011  Read More

Imagine that you have two equally-sized square sheets of paper. How would you cut each sheet of paper so that the pieces could be combined to make one larger square? This problem comes from Japan's indigenous mathematics tradition, wasan. In the 17th century and beyond, wasan enjoyed great and widespread popularity. Tablets with math problems written on them can be found in some Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Japanese mathematical genius Seki Takakazu raised wasan to perhaps its highest level. He revealed an understanding of mathematics that, in some respects, was ahead of Western knowledge of the time. In the late 19th century, wasan was replaced by Western-style mathematics and fell into obscurity, but now wasan is enjoying a revival. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is traditional Japanese mathematics. By examining the history of wasan, we will reveal the Japanese attitude towards math. Air Date : 1st-Sep-2011  Read More

In Japan, more and more people are riding bicycles to go shopping, to commute, for exercise, and for leisure. Gunsmiths pioneered bicycle-making techniques in Japan. In the late 19th century, with the samurai era at an end, their profession disappeared. Special techniques they used to make gun barrels strong were also suited to building sturdy bicycle frames. Keirin bicycle racing from Japan became an Olympic event. Behind its rise was a racer of incredible drive who took on the world's best cyclists. Manufacturers churn out a wide variety of bicycles, but at least one rider has dedicated his life to customizing his bicycle with attention-drawing decorations. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is bicycles. We examine their evolution in Japan and look at the unique bicycle culture that has emerged. Air Date : 8th-Sep-2011  Read More

In June 2011, the structures and artifacts of Hiraizumi, a town in earthquake-devastated Iwate Prefecture, were collectively declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The jewel in this crown is the Buddhist temple Chusonji. Its gleaming, golden Konjikido worship hall is one of Japan's first official National Treasures. The temple complex encompasses many buildings and examples of art and craft from nearly 1,000 years ago. These precious cultural treasures have been carefully preserved with the help of occasional restorations by Japan's foremost artisans. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is the Buddhist temple Chusonji. We explore the treasures that have recently earned Chusonji recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and meet the people who preserve the temple's long-standing traditions. Air Date : 15th-Sep-2011  Read More

From time immemorial, Japan has reaped the bounty of the sea that surrounds it. Fish, yes, but just as important is seaweed. It's an essential part of the Japanese diet. Because seaweed is highly nutritious and low in calories, it is now gaining worldwide popularity as a health food. With its kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, seaweed can also be pressed like flowers. One man's lifelong interest in this pastime even led him to discover a new species! Scientists are also interested. One laboratory has made an anti-aging cream from seaweed, while another is trying to turn seaweed into a new energy source. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is seaweed. We examine the many ways in which it is woven into Japanese life. Air Date : 29th-Sep-2011  Read More