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Episode guide

Japanology Plus: Season 8

27 episodes · premiered Jan 11, 2021

TMDB has no overview for this season.

Japanology Plus: cast and where to watch

  1. Episode 1: Moss Jan 12, 2021 · 28m This time, our theme is moss. In some countries, it is regarded almost as a weed, but in Japan, it's cherished. Moss can be found in the gardens of temples and shrines, in forests and…
  2. Episode 2: Libraries Jan 19, 2021 · 28m Japan's libraries are cornerstones of their communities. Besides loaning out books, they promote local culture, support young people and offer a place to relax. This time, our theme is…
  3. Episode 3: Japanophiles: Sheila Cliffe Jan 26, 2021 · 28m The kimono, Japan's national garment, is generally seen as traditional clothing -- something to wear on special occasions. But these days, modern and stylish kimono are making an impact in…
  4. Episode 4: Ukiyo-e Feb 2, 2021 · 28m Ukiyo-e is a Japanese artform that emerged in the 17th century. Using woodblock prints, people and landscapes are brought to life with bold compositions and vivid colors. The images…
  5. Episode 5: Japanophiles: Richard Halberstadt Mar 16, 2021 · 28m On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake off the coast of northeast Japan caused a devastating tsunami that left around 18,000 people dead or unaccounted for. Ishinomaki, in Miyagi…
  6. Episode 6: Cleaning Tools Apr 8, 2021 · 28m Japanese use a wide range of cleaning implements, from old-fashioned brooms to modern carpet rollers. There's always a dedicated tool for the job. Sometimes, those tools have a deeper…
  7. Episode 7: Lacquerware Apr 22, 2021 · 28m Lacquerware is made by coating objects with the sap of the lacquer tree. It's a traditional craft that dates back thousands of years. Lacquer offers incredible durability, as well as a…
  8. Episode 8: Suits May 6, 2021 · 28m Japanese started wearing Western clothing around 150 years ago, and today, suits are standard business attire. Our main guest, fashion journalist Yamamoto Teruhiro, describes the history…
  9. Episode 9: Emergency Goods May 13, 2021 · 28m The Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami left around 19,000 people dead or unaccounted for. It renewed Japan's sensitivity to the threat of natural disasters, and in the 10 years since…
  10. Episode 10: Japanophiles: Chad Mullane May 27, 2021 · 28m In a Japanophiles interview, Peter Barakan meets Chad Mullane, a comedian from Perth, Australia. Chad talks about Japanese comedy, and explains how he fell in love with it. We see some of…
  11. Episode 11: Furoshiki: Wrapping Cloths Jun 3, 2021 · 28m Furoshiki are traditional Japanese wrapping cloths. For hundreds of years, these square pieces of fabric have been used to protect, store and carry various objects. They often feature…
  12. Episode 12: Japan vs. Epidemics, Part 2: Modern History Jun 17, 2021 · 28m Over the centuries, Japan has suffered from repeated outbreaks of diseases like smallpox, measles and cholera. Part 1 of "Japan vs. Epidemics" covered the history of epidemics up to the…
  13. Episode 13: Tiny Houses Jul 1, 2021 · 28m Tiny houses are homes that occupy around 50 square meters of land. They're appearing more and more in recent years, especially in crowded cities. Many of them feature unusual layouts and…
  14. Episode 14: Watches & Clocks Jul 8, 2021 · 28m Japanese watches and clocks are respected around the world for their accuracy and durability. Many of them incorporate the latest technology. Our guest, Oda Ichiro, spent 26 years at a…
  15. Episode 15: Plastic Food Samples Jul 15, 2021 · 28m Plastic food samples are astonishingly accurate replicas of real dishes. They can be found at the entrance to restaurants across Japan, helping potential customers to choose where to eat…
  16. Episode 16: Japanophiles: Asa Ekstrom Jul 29, 2021 · 28m In a Japanophiles interview, Peter Barakan meets Asa Ekstrom, a manga artist from Sweden. Her work takes a humorous look at her life in Japan, and the surprising discoveries she makes…
  17. Episode 17: Cats and Japan Aug 5, 2021 · 28m Cats have recently become the most-owned pets in Japan, and their popularity continues to grow. This has led to feline celebrities, unusual products and apartments designed specifically…
  18. Episode 18: Personal Robots Sep 2, 2021 · 28m It's common to find robots in factories, assembling products. But recently, Japan has been embracing personal robots: devices designed to aid conversation, provide companionship and offer…
  19. Episode 19: Scissors Sep 16, 2021 · 28m After scissors arrived in Japan, they evolved in unique ways. Japanese artisans applied traditional sword-making techniques to the creation of a broad variety of highly specialized and…
  20. Episode 20: Japanophiles: Marty Friedman Sep 30, 2021 · 28m In a Japanophiles interview, Peter Barakan meets Marty Friedman, a legendary guitarist from the USA. As a member of a well-known heavy metal band, Friedman toured the world. But a deep…
  21. Episode 21: Luck Oct 7, 2021 · 28m In Japan, a great number of places, objects and customs are considered to be auspicious. Examples include beckoning cats called "maneki neko," and a special meal eaten on New Year's Day…
  22. Episode 22: Tatami Oct 28, 2021 · 28m Tatami mats are a quintessentially Japanese flooring material. They're made of rice straw, covered in woven soft rush. This gives them just the right amount of give, and a fresh natural…
  23. Episode 23: Chests & Cabinets Nov 11, 2021 · 28m Traditionally, wooden chests and cabinets are built and maintained by master artisans, using time-honored techniques and materials. Items are often passed down through multiple generations…
  24. Episode 24: Japanophiles: Nicholas Rennick Dec 2, 2021 · 28m In a Japanophiles interview, Peter Barakan meets Nicholas Rennick, an Australian doctor working at a Tokyo hospital. He started in April 2020, at the very beginning of the pandemic, and…
  25. Episode 25: Bamboo Dec 16, 2021 · 28m Bamboo is sturdy, supple and abundant. For thousands of years, it has been indispensable in Japanese crafts and construction. This versatile plant can also be eaten: bamboo shoots are a…
  26. Episode 26: Ainu: A National Museum of Ainu Culture Dec 23, 2021 · 28m The Ainu are an indigenous people who live in and around northern Japan. Traditionally, they are hunter-gatherers who share a close relationship with the natural world. In the first of 2…
  27. Episode 27: Ainu: A New Generation Dec 30, 2021 · 28m The Ainu are an indigenous people who live in Hokkaido Prefecture (northern Japan) and surrounding areas. Traditionally, they were hunter-gatherers who shared a close relationship with the…