Time and Tide

With a Japanese father and an American mother, the renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi desired to create a cenotaph in Hiroshima in memory of the A-bomb victims. But his design was rejected, allegedly because of his American nationality. Materials from the project in the current European retrospective of his work encourage us to consider the meaning of peace at this time of division and conflict. The program presents fresh perspectives on his struggles to serve as a bridge between his 2 homelands.

Kawate Haruo knew that his father, Masao, a second-generation Japanese American, returned to Japan after World War II. That, however, was about all he knew of it. After Masao's death, Haruo found a letter to an American attorney, Wayne Collins, seeking restoration of his American citizenship. Haruo met with Collins' son and with a Japanese American whose father chose to stay in the U.S. He discovered that Masao had suffered especially harsh treatment during the war, leading him to renounce his American citizenship. Follow along as Haruo pieces together the facts of his father's life, 80 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

A documentary on the Belarusian writer Svetlana Alexievich, produced in 2000. Belarus, the focus of her work, was the site of fierce fighting between the Soviet Union and Germany during World War II. Its people also suffered tragedies during the Soviet war in Afghanistan and after the Chornobyl nuclear accident. When the program was made, Alexievich had already spent some 20 years recording the voices of the voiceless people behind these troubling events. These are the voices of the "little people" that would disappear in the oblivion of state history if they were not recorded. Ten years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, people were beginning to change. The "little people" were beginning to use the word "I" and to speak of themselves as individuals. The program brings alive these voices from the depths of history, filled with love and sorrow.

In the chaos following the Second World War, children were born to Occupation soldiers and Japanese women. Many of them grew up without knowing their parents. An institution called "Boys Town" was created in Kanagawa Prefecture to house these orphaned school-aged youths. Its graduates continue to experience discrimination and prejudice in higher education, employment and personal relationships. As they approach the final stages of life, they continue to ask themselves, "Who am I? Where did I come from?" We follow their search for answers.

Castles offer insights into Japanese history and spirituality. Tower keeps, or Tenshu, first appeared in Japan when a powerful lord fortified his castle with a tall tower during the turmoil of 500 years ago. Their stone-walled bases were built without binding agents, their designs held devices to defend the castle during sieges, and their grandeur exuded power and authority. History and castle buff Chris Glenn reveals the Tenshu's secrets, focusing on designated-National-Treasure Inuyama Castle.

The date was August 12, 1985. JAL Flight 123 had crashed, leaving just 4 survivors. In this special documentary, a nurse reveals her story for the first time on TV, a newspaper photographer who filmed the crash site shares his experience, and the victims' families and police talk about their pursuit of the accident's cause and who takes responsibility. Join us for an up-close look at the people who faced the unimaginable weight of the loss of human life at the site of the terrible crash.

Sawajima Yuichi—a time-traveling reporter working for Time Scoop Inc. Journeying through the ages, he gathers footage of people who didn't make it into the history books. This time his mission is to find Yureki-sanka, people who traveled Japan teaching mathematics during the Edo period (1603-1868). They taught Wasan—a distinct style of math that exploded in that era—to the common people. When a difficult problem was solved, the question and answer were written on a votive tablet and dedicated to a local shrine or temple. These tablets were known as Sangaku. In the countryside of northern Japan, 2 mathematicians engage in a battle of wits, with the leadership of a village math school at stake. Watch as a thrilling Sangaku challenge unfolds.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has sent geopolitical shockwaves across the globe. To understand better what lies behind the distressing scenes of destruction, we speak with 3 key experts who help us unravel the historical roots of the crisis: Belarusian Nobel prize-winning author Svetlana Alexievich, French economic theorist and policy advisor to successive French presidents Jacques Attali, and American political scientist Ian Bremmer. Guided by their insights, we search for clues to help predict how events might unfold.

The Asama-Sanso Incident occurred on February 28, 1972, after members of the United Red Army barricaded themselves up at a lodge in Karuizawa. After 10 days, riot police began their siege, and soon Asama-Sanso was full of bullets, high-pressured water, and tear gas. What really happened on that day? We hear the untold stories of the incident with eyewitness accounts of those involved, including the riot police captain, newscasters, and one of the United Red Army members.

The Warring States period was a time of bloody conquest in Japan. Its final battle, is depicted in astonishing detail in "The Siege of Osaka" folding screen. Other such screens only feature samurai, but this one is different. It contains images of suffering; graphic depictions of theft, rape and abduction that can be hard to look at. Who painted it? And why? Professor Frederik Cryns, expert in the history of the period, uncovers the secrets of this unique work of art.

In 2021, 76 years after the destructive power of the atom bomb was unleashed on the city of Nagasaki, NHK and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum asked survivors to create pictures of their memories of the catastrophic event. With limited records existing of the bombing's immediate aftermath, the hope was that survivors' handcrafted depictions of what they witnessed would help ensure the horrors of nuclear war were not forgotten. For many though, it presented an opportunity to finally open up about the traumatic experiences they had been silently carrying all their lives.

A remarkable painting was created toward the end of World War II: a 3-meter-wide canvas covered with images of working women. The painting was the work of an all-female team of painters formed in 1944: the Women Artists Service Corps. The painting shows women on the home front as shipbuilders, postal workers, tram drivers—roles traditionally performed by men. The vibrant colors of the piece are in direct contrast to the somber war paintings made by male artists. The burden on men during the war gave women a chance to take on new roles outside of the home. To the prominent female artists involved, it was a perfect chance to showcase their skill. What did the war mean to these women? Photographer Oishi Yoshino zooms in on these artists, delving into a largely untold story of women painting war. (Narrator: Hannah Grace)

In Japan, the term nito-ryu, or two-sword style, is often used to describe someone with dual talents, such as baseball player Ohtani Shohei. The word was initially used to describe the fighting style of a legendary swordsman who lived over 400 years ago: Miyamoto Musashi. He fought over 60 duels and was never defeated. His success is attributed to his philosophies. Join us as we discover the truth about this legendary warrior and his philosophies, which remain relevant today.

A divided 16th century Japan, a time known as the Warring States period, gave rise to samurai leaders central to history. Oda Nobunaga is one example. He is a legacy of innovation. He revolutionized tactics with the introduction of firearms, enacted economic reforms, and his design for Azuchi Castle would forever change how Japanese castles were constructed. Why does he remain such a popular figure? Modern-day Japanese leaders and admirers share what they've learned from this legendary samurai.

In Japan, strange phenomena are said to be the work of creatures known as yokai. Their legends continue to be told in regions all over the country, and relate diverse local histories. One is the Zashiki Warashi, who brings good fortune to households, but signals decline when it leaves. Its tale conveys the harsh environment endured by the people of Tohoku, and the bonds of family that endured them. In this episode, yokai researcher Michael Dylan Foster explores the legend of the Zashiki Warashi.

Sawajima Yuichi—a time-traveling reporter working for Time Scoop Inc. Journeying through the ages, he gathers footage of people who didn't make it into the history books. This time, he visits the mid-16th century during Japan's Warring States period to report on the use of yabumi, top-secret messages tied to arrows. If a castle was under siege, you could get vital information in, or a plea for aid out. Saburota, a retainer of the Yamana family, must fire a yabumi into the besieged castle of Lord Takenaga, an important ally. The path is fraught with danger ... will he be able to succeed?

Yokota Megumi was 13 when North Korea abducted her. This is the story of the Yokota family's over 40-year struggle to bring their daughter home as the dark side of North Korean agents comes to light.

Sawajima Yuichi—a time-traveling reporter working for Time Scoop Inc. Journeying through the ages, he gathers footage of people who didn't make it into the history books. This time, he visits the 18th century to report on "heoi-bikuni," an unusual type of nun that specialized in taking the blame for other people's social blunders, such as public flatulence. Toshi, the daughter of a wealthy family breaks wind at a tense moment, and shuts herself away in embarrassment. Her parents call in Myosei, a heoi-bikuni, for assistance. Can she heal the wounded heart of a young lady?