Episode 1 - Searching for the Standing Boy of Nagasaki
August 30, 2020
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.
Episode 2 - UNTOLD STORIES OF THE BATTLE OF OKINAWA: Women and Teens on the Frontline
December 26, 2020
Episode 1 - SAMURAI CASTLES: Tenshu - The Tower Keep
June 4, 2022
Episode 2 - Another Story: The Crash of Japan Airlines Flight 123
June 11, 2022
Episode 3 - Time Scoop Hunter: A "Sangaku" Battle of Wits
June 18, 2022
Episode 4 - Ukraine: Echoes of History
June 25, 2022
Episode 5 - Another Story: Asama-Sanso Incident - Ten Days of Suspense
July 2, 2022
Episode 6 - History Uncovered: Osaka's Tragic Folding Screen
August 6, 2022
Episode 7 - Nagasaki: 188 Memories of the Bomb
August 13, 2022
Episode 8 - Women Painting War
August 27, 2022
Episode 9 - MUSASHI TRUTH
September 3, 2022
Episode 10 - SAMURAI WISDOM - ODA NOBUNAGA
September 10, 2022
Episode 11 - YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore â ZASHIKI WARASHI
October 1, 2022
Episode 12 - Time Scoop Hunter: A Secret Mission - Release the Yabumi!
October 22, 2022
Episode 13 - Another Story: The Abduction of Yokota Megumi - A Family's Struggle
November 12, 2022
Episode 14 - Time Scoop Hunter: Edo's Substitute Farters
December 3, 2022
Episode 1 - Time Scoop Hunter: The Timekeepers
January 7, 2023
Episode 2 - Another Story: How Fist of the North Star Came to Be
January 28, 2023
Episode 3 - Another Story: "SUKIYAKI" - Behind Japan's No. 1 US Hit
February 11, 2023
Episode 4 - SAMURAI WISDOM: Takeda Shingen
March 4, 2023
Episode 5 - YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore â HIMEUO
March 18, 2023
Episode 7 - Time Scoop Hunter: A Boiling-hot Tocha Battle!
June 17, 2023
Episode 8 - SAMURAI WISDOM: Tokugawa Ieyasu
June 24, 2023
Episode 9 - SAMURAI CASTLES: Hikone Castle
July 1, 2023
Episode 10 - History Uncovered: Muramasa - Cursed Blade
July 8, 2023
Episode 11 - SAMURAI CASTLES: Matsumoto Castle
July 29, 2023
Episode 13 - The Floating World - First Contact
August 12, 2023
Episode 14 - Time Scoop Hunter: Restoration, Love, and English
August 19, 2023
Episode 15 - YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore â TOMOKAZUKI
September 2, 2023
Episode 16 - YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore â KONAKIJIJI
September 30, 2023
Episode 17 - YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore â USHIONI
October 7, 2023
Episode 18 - SAMURAI WISDOMâDATE MASAMUNE
October 21, 2023
Episode 19 - History Uncovered: Tsukumo Nasu - Power in a Tea Caddy
October 28, 2023
Episode 20 - MOUNT FUJI TRUTH
December 2, 2023
Episode 21 - History Uncovered: Muramasa - Cursed Blade
December 15, 2023
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 1 - History Uncovered: Chushingura - Tears of 47 Ronin
January 6, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 2 - SAMURAI WISDOM: UESUGI KENSHIN
January 13, 2024
⢠28 minutes
Uesugi Kenshin: Japan's fiercest warrior fought not for glory, but to restore order. We learn from the wisdom of this supremely successful commander.
Episode 3 - YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore â HITOTSUMEKOZO
February 2, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 4 - SAMURAI CASTLES: Matsuyama Castle
February 9, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 5 - SAMURAI CASTLES: Osaka Castle
February 16, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 6 - SAMURAI WISDOM: THE SANADA
March 1, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 7 - SAMURAI CHONMAGE TRUTH
March 8, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 8 - HOKUSAI TRUTH
March 30, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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."
Episode 9 - History Uncovered KIMONO DRESS - Japan's Clothing Revolution
June 29, 2024
⢠28 minutes
In the 19th century, Japan opened its doors. The "Kimono Dress"âemblematic of a broader clothing revolutionâsheds light on Japan's forward-looking strategy as it joined the global community.
Episode 11 - SAMURAI CASTLES: Kanazawa Castle
July 6, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 12 - SAMURAI WISDOM: TOKUGAWA IEMITSU
August 3, 2024
⢠28 minutes
Solidifying Tokugawa shogunate rule, "born shogun" Iemitsu, third of his line, paved the way for dramatic change via political reform and new ideas.
Episode 13 - SAMURAI CASTLES: Himeji â The Defenses
August 17, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 14 - SAMURAI CASTLES: Himeji â The Keep
August 24, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 15 - Time Scoop Hunter: The True Face of the Ninja
August 31, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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?
Episode 16 - SUSHI TRUTH
September 28, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 17 - YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore â NAMIKOZO
October 5, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 18 - YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore â UBUME
October 12, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 19 - YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore â MUJINA
October 19, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 20 - Time Scoop Hunter: Matchmaking in Edo Period
October 27, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.
Episode 21 - SAMURAI WISDOMâASHIKAGA YOSHIMITSUâ
November 2, 2024
⢠28 minutes
Clad in shining gold, Kinkakuji stands out even in Kyoto Prefecture. What inspired the samurai who built this stunning temple?
Episode 22 - History Uncovered: The Armor of Japan - Beauty in Defense
December 7, 2024
⢠28 minutes
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.