15 Minutes Season 2, Episode 12: RAKUGO NIPPON!: MIYAZAKI - Experience the History and Nature of Miyazaki

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Close to ART: Kirishima Open-Air Museum

Kirishima Open-Air Museum, located in Kagoshima Prefecture, is distinguished by its extensive open-air sculpture collection. With 23 open-air installations spanning 13 hectares, visitors are free to touch and experience each work. The museum has a unique concept: the works are only complete once visitors have entered, climbed, or otherwise come into contact with them. Some sculptures are even placed so that they interact with the rich natural landscape, surprising and delighting museum-goers.

15 min

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NINJA TRUTH Episode 5: Ninja Fire Arts

The ninja are said to have been proficient in the use of gunpowder long before guns were brought to Japan, and to have invented over 230 uses for it. In this episode, we'll introduce the toribikata, a weapon similar to a flamethrower that was used to fend off several attackers at once, and the hyakuraijyu, which created chaos by emitting a noise similar to a volley of gunshots. We'll also recreate the grenade-like hourokuhiya to determine its strength, and the daikokuhiya, a weapon frequently mentioned in the ninja training text Bansenshukai, to learn about how it was actually used.

15 min

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NINJA TRUTH Episode 6: Concealed & Hyorogan

The ninja used various tools and weapons on their secret missions. To protect themselves in dangerous situations, they used concealed weapons. Portable and hidden from view, some were even disguised as ordinary items. In this episode, we'll feature concealed weapons including the amigasa, kakute, shikomi-tessen, and how they were used. We'll also join a ninja expert and recreate hyorogan, the ultimate ninja ration, to learn the secrets behind its ingredients.

15 min

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BENTO EXPO Season 3: Episode 9

Marc introduces a dish from his mother's hometown in Miyazaki Prefecture: chicken nanban bento. The chicken is topped with a Japanese-style tartar sauce made with egg, resulting in an extra-filling bento. Maki makes an umami-packed bento featuring rice mixed with vegetables and other delicious ingredients. The final product is extra colorful, and Maki uses common ingredients, so anyone can recreate this bento at home. Bento Trip showcases a steamed pork patty bento from Hong Kong.

15 min

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RAKUGO NIPPON!: MIYAZAKI - Discover the Shochu and Cuisines of Miyazaki

Do you know "Rakugo"? It's a traditional Japanese entertainment of comical storytelling that covers everything from people's everyday lives, customs, food to unique sceneries. On "RAKUGO NIPPON!," we follow the travels of Rakugo performers in Japan and discover how inspirations are transformed into original English Rakugo. On this episode, we'll travel to Miyazaki Prefecture which boasts the largest shipment volume of "shochu," one of Japan's prominent alcoholic beverages. Just what kind of original Rakugo will this journey usher? Sit back and enjoy!

15 min

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Close to ART: MOA Museum of Art

The MOA Museum of Art is located in Atami, a region famous for its hot springs and natural beauty. The museum focuses on Japanese art from the 17th and 18th centuries, an era of peace and leisure. Paintings, pottery, sculptures, and other works are displayed in alcoves like in Japanese homes. Vases and screens bearing flowered designs, the simplified expressions of ukiyo-e, and other faces of Japan's natural beauty can be observed not just through the works, but the exhibition area itself.

15 min

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Through the Kitchen Window: Akio Okamura - Sardines Pickled in Rice Bran

Akio Okamura (75) is a man who lives by the sea in the quaint town of Matsuzaki. He's master builder of the Okamura Marine Craft, known throughout the country for the boats it builds and repairs. Outside of work, his passion is cooking for others - from spiny lobsters and crabs he catches himself, to sardines marinaded in his own secret sauce. We follow Akio as he generously shares food with those around him, both employees and neighbors, young and old.

15 min

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Through the Kitchen Window: Sayaka Mori - Seaweed Maki Roll

The town of Monzenmachi in Ishikawa Prefecture is surrounded by both the sea and mountains. Here, Sayaka Mori (38) has decided to open a guesthouse limited to one group per night. Although she originally hated cooking, through learning from local teachers, she cooks dishes with ingredients she sources herself and shares the rich local food culture with her guests. This time, she prepares a special seaweed roll, made with seaweed that can only be harvested during a ten-day window.

15 min

9

Castle Quest: The Last Walls Standing

In this episode, we approach the secrets hidden in Hikone Castle from various angles. We follow a group of soldiers as they attack the castle and attempt to clear the bridge, hill paths, and gates leading to the main keep. CG and drones are used to introduce the defensive features that lay in wait for them. We'll also recreate a special wall called taiko-kabe, and test its strength for the first time ever.

15 min

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Castle Quest: The Ultimate Defense

In this episode, we approach the secrets hidden in Matsuyama Castle and follow a group of soldiers as they attack the castle, facing a 400-meter-long stone wall in the mountain, a doorless gate, a gate that enables ambushes, and the final defense at the tower keep. CG and drones are used to introduce the defensive features that await them. We also investigate the truth about ishi-otoshi or stone dropping chutes and their actual purpose.

15 min

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Close to ART: Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum

The Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum cuts a unique figure among the streets of Naha. The facility is special in that it teaches visitors about the history and art of Okinawa Prefecture all at once. The history of the islands ranges from flourishing as the Ryukyu Kingdom, to American occupation after the Asia-Pacific War. Visitors can view Bingata kimonos evoking Okinawa's magnificent past, and the museum also houses works by the artists who strived to rejuvenate postwar Okinawan culture.

15 min

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RAKUGO NIPPON!: MIYAZAKI - Experience the History and Nature of Miyazaki

On this episode, we're experiencing the history and nature of Miyazaki Prefecture. Just what kind of original Rakugo will this journey usher? Sit back and enjoy!

15 min

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Close to ART: Okada Museum of Art

The Okada Museum of Art, located in Hakone, one of Japan's most famous hot spring locations, opened in 2013. Its collection centers on Japanese art from the ancient to the modern, particularly works from the Edo period dating from the 17th to mid-19th centuries. Visitors can view golden screens used as celebratory decorations, as well as an enormous hand-colored ukiyo-e painting. This unique cultural aesthetic that flourished over more than 250 years of peace leaves a lasting impression.

15 min

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Close to ART: Akita Museum of Modern Art

The Akita Museum of Modern Art in northern Japan primarily exhibits works of locally based artists. Visitors can enjoy woodblock prints displaying regional customs, paintings of natural scenery, and unique takes on Japanese traditional art. Its 18th-century Akita Ranga exhibit, with the first traces of Western techniques incorporated into Japanese art, is a must-see in this museum.

15 min

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Triangle Thrillers: Osaka

Three foreigners in Japan—a lawyer, a photographer, and a tour guide—make up an "Ojisan Trio" and visit the city of Osaka. From cheering alongside passionate baseball fans at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, to interacting with friendly merchants and locals in Japan's longest shopping arcade, the Ojisan Trio wander into a number of humorous situations. Follow them on their Osaka Quest, and discover the wonders and warmth of Western Japan's largest city.

15 min

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Through the Kitchen Window: Misao Kuwata - Mochi Rice Cakes Wrapped in Bamboo Leaves

Something is always cooking in 92-year-old Misao Kuwata's kitchen. Every week she prepares 600 Sasa-mochi, a sweet steamed rice cake wrapped in bamboo leaves that is much-loved by locals. Drawing on the nature and traditions of Aomori Prefecture, where she lives, she adds a little of her own creativity to make delicious treats, and shares them with those around her. As we follow her hard work and careful methods, we discover Misao's secret to living a life full of happiness and inspiration.

15 min

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Close to ART: Kanda Nissho Memorial Museum of Art

The Kanda Nissho Memorial Museum of Art is in the town of Shikaoi, on Japan's northern island, Hokkaido Prefecture. The region was cultivated by pioneer farmers in the late 19th century, of which Nissho Kanda was one. He painted as he struggled with the harsh elements of Hokkaido, but passed away at the age of 32. The museum houses the 35 works he created during his decade-long career. His depictions of the lives of farmers and their horses, painted onto huge pieces of plywood, make a powerful impression.

15 min

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A Treasured Creation: Today's Treasure - Japanese 'Sumi' Inksticks

Suzuka region produces high-quality sumi ink. Kido Ito (55), an expert artisan who's made a million inksticks. A simple process, yet requires experienced judgment; depending on the weather, it can easily crack. Although this craft was dedicated to Japanese culture over a thousand years, many documents and arts have been preserved. However, the number of artisans has decreased since the transition into a digital era. "If I make it against nature, it loses the value" says Ito. This documentary showcases his skill and way of life while he strives for the ultimate black.

15 min

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Close to ART: Shimane Art Museum

The Shimane Art Museum is located in Matsue, a city in Shimane Prefecture bordering the Sea of Japan. Shimane is home to a wealth of Japanese folklore, and Izumo-taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines. In the galleries of this museum built beside the vast Lake Shinji are a variety of works relating to water, gathered from diverse locations and eras. It also features unique outdoor sculptures evoking shrines and mythology, local craft arts, and a beautiful view of the sun setting over the lake.

15 min

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Close to ART: Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum

The Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, located a short ride from Shibuya Station, is a museum that opened in 1998 as a renovation of artist Taro Okamoto's home studio. Over 50 years, He created many works of public art there, such as the Myth of Tomorrow, a large mural exhibited in Shibuya Station, and the Tower of the Sun made for the Osaka Expo. The workshop contains old brushes, paint-covered floors, and shelves with unfinished canvases, conveying the passion of the 20th century artist.

15 min

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Through the Kitchen Window: Jiyu Gakuen - Salmon Chirashi-Zushi

Jiyu Gakuen is a unique school in the Tokyo suburbs that emphasizes "learning from daily life." Every day, the middle or high school students have to prepare the school lunch themselves. This time, 20 students in the girls' division are tasked with making 280 meals within 2 hours. A leader is chosen, who must devise a cooking schedule as well as instruct the others. With the aim of serving delicious food, the students face hard work and challenges together, gaining valuable lessons in life.

15 min

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NINJA TRUTH Episode 7: In Search of the Kunoichi, the Female Ninja

Before modern times, the ninja worked secretly in the shadows, and a particularly shadowy figure is the female ninja or Kunoichi. While often portrayed as female spies, we're left with only hints and speculations about them. Based on passages from the "Bansenshukai," perhaps the most famous ninja manual, we investigate the history, mode of operation, and psychological tactics of the Kunoichi. Our search takes us to Tomi, a city in Nagano Prefecture where a mysterious female group once resided.

15 min

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NINJA TRUTH Episode 8: Extraordinary Ninja Tools - Kunai and Ikibukuro

The ninja employed a wide range of tools to accomplish their missions. In this episode, we introduce the Kunai and examine what it was made of and how it was used. With the help of a leading ninja researcher, we also recreate and test the Ikibukuro, a previously unknown tool that is said to have enabled the ninja to perform tasks underwater.

15 min

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A Treasured Creation: Today's Treasure - 'Senko Hanabi' Sparklers

Senko Hanabi is a thing that reminds us of summer since the Edo period in Japan. Ryota Tsutsui has preserved the tradition of orange sparks for 25 years as a Senko Hanabi craftsman. However, the tradition is fading away while the domestic fireworks market shrinks and Chinese fireworks are emerging. Only 2 companies have survived in Japan now. Tsutsui has been passionate about expressing our lives within sparks by creating a big flame that contains 4 different sparks, inspired by poetic structure that divides into 4 stages of Introduction, Development, Twist, and Conclusion. He has studied compounding gunpowder and repeated twisting sensitive washi papers numerous times until dawn every day to achieve his goal. Working closely with his wife, Kyoko, his journey to discover the new demand by creating Senko Hanabi filled with all Japanese traditional goodness continues. This is a tale of people who devote their life to preserve these beautiful and fleeting sparks.

15 min

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Triangle Thrillers: Yamanashi

3 foreign Ojisans - a lawyer, a photographer and a tour guide - make up an Ojisan trio and set off to explore the local wonders of Yamanashi Prefecture. Only 2 hours away from Tokyo, Yamanashi is the perfect escape for those seeking fresh air, beautiful landscapes and exceptional food. Follow the Ojisan trio as they learn about the strong connection between Yamanashi's fertile land and its people, and how this resulted in the creation and cultivation of many unique Yamanashi commodities.

15 min