Time and Tide

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 meets some tokitaiko-uchi, who would let people know the time by striking a drum. Until the late 19th century, Japan used a seasonal time system: Day and night were each divided into six equal periods between sunrise and sunset. To stay accurate, the tokitaiko-uchi used incense clocks. In one castle, three of them worked in shifts, but when one suffers from night blindness, he finds himself in danger of losing his job. Watch Sawajima's report to see how things work out!

"Fist of the North Star" is the gold standard of action manga and remains popular over 30 years since it ended. This is the dramatic story of how three men came together to create a masterpiece.

Sakamoto Kyu's famous song "Ue wo Muite Arukō" a big hit in the U.S. despite being sung in Japanese, reached No. 1 in the U.S. in 1963. Why was this song the only one that made it to the top in the U.S.? There was the drama of Japanese Americans in a small town in California who were encouraged by this song! How did this song change the destiny of Sakamoto Kyu and his own tumultuous life, and how did he meet A Taste of Honey, who covered "SUKIYAKI" and made it a big hit?

16th-century samurai fought over a divided Japan. Takeda Shingen was one of the strongest. Known for his furin-kazan swift attack strategy, masterfully incorporating a strong cavalry and stealthy ninja warriors. He totally defeated future shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. He also exerted political power, mining gold to amass enormous wealth, implementing flood control and improving rice production. This much-loved military commander who greatly influenced the later Edo period still has wisdom to share.

In this episode of YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore, we seek out a mermaid-like yokai, the Himeuo. In the early 19th century, it was said to have appeared in the ocean off Nagasaki Prefecture, one of Japan's few locations of foreign trade at the time. It reportedly warned of the outbreak of illness, but guided that those who drew its form would be saved. What was the significance of this location, and of its piscine form? Yokai researcher Michael Dylan Foster dives into the depths of the Himeuo.

Cherry blossoms, or sakura, are an iconic symbol of Japan. Yet many mysteries continue to swirl around them. For one, it turns out that "Someiyoshino," the variety most widely seen in Japan, didn't exist until the Edo period. Are "Someiyoshino" all clones? Was the culture of cherry blossom viewing popularized by an Edo period shogun? And how was a new species discovered by investigating ones said to bloom twice? We meet with experts in their fields to get to the truth about these much-loved blossoms.

Sawajima Yuichi travels through time gathering footage of people who didn't make it into the history books. This time, he investigates people obsessed with "tocha." In the late 15th century, betting on being able to differentiate the flavor of different green teas was a popular pastime. With high stakes and prizes like fine china and money up for grabs, people would get hooked, and things would often escalate – people's greed would sometimes lead them into tough situations. We get a close-up view of a competition between two legendary tocha competitors.

In the 16th century, Tokugawa Ieyasu put an end to the era of ceaseless civil wars and upheavals and ushered in a time of peace that unified Japan. As the father and first leader of the Edo shogunate, he built the foundations for a period without war that lasted 260 years. From the struggles of his youth to the great battle in his later years that determined the fate of the country, as well as the secrets he employed to build the great city of Edo, we peer into the samurai wisdom of Ieyasu.

Hikone Castle is one of few castles in Japan that remains relatively unchanged since it was built in the early 1600s, and it has been designated a National Treasure. The castle employs numerous ingenious devices to deter enemy attacks. It is a sturdy fortress, yet boasts a grand, decorative facade. What is fascinating is that much of the materials and buildings were recycled from other nearby castles. But why? History and castle buff Chris Glenn delves into and reveals Hikone Castle's secrets.

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.

Matsumoto Castle, a designated National Treasure, stands on a plain in Nagano Pref. encircled by rugged mountains. The black-lacquered keep from 1590 comprises five structures and resembles a bird extending its wings. Its reflection in the moat draws scores of photographers to its beauty, but the castle was built for war and has excellent defenses. History and castle buff Chris Glenn uncovers how Matsumoto Castle evolved during the transition from a period of civil war to times of peace.

Sen no Rikyu is credited with perfecting the Japanese tea ceremony. He infused his principles into the ritual and established the wabi-cha style. We meet a tea bowl maker whose family has produced the tea ware developed by Rikyu for over four hundred years. And a visit to the tiny tea house Rikyu designed provides insight into its psychological effect. We search for the truth about the renowned tea master who inspired rulers and placed an emphasis on spiritual connection.

"The Floating World" is an unprecedented history animation series that transforms manga-like woodblock prints depicting the daily life of old Japan into a time traveling adventure. Prof. Frederik Cryns, who specializes in the historical interaction between the West and Japan, timeslips to mid-19th century Japan on his visit to an old district in Tokyo. He discovers the resilience of the local people, whose unique and peculiar worldview depicted in the prints enabled them to overcome the crises.

Sawajima Yuichi travels through time gathering footage of people who didn't make it into the history books. This time, he visits a mid-19th century English school. When Japan opened its ports to foreign trade, international exchange began to boom, and so too did the demand for foreign language speakers. Places like Yokohama saw a flood of language schools. The year is 1872. Kenkichi is a young man with dreams of international business. One day, he meets Rachel, a beautiful American language teacher. Their feelings for each other begin to bloom, but will the course of their love run true?

In this episode of YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore, we journey to the Shima Peninsula of Mie Prefecture, where legend tells of the Tomokazuki. When shell divers descended into the ocean, it is said they'd be met by another diver who held out an abalone to them. If they accepted it, they'd be seized by the doppelganger and dragged into the depths. What reason could the Tomokazuki have for this behavior? Yokai researcher Michael Dylan Foster gets beneath the surface of the creature.

In this episode of YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore, we follow the cry of the Konakijiji, a Yokai that resembles an old man but with a voice like a weeping infant. It's said to lure passersby into lifting it up, then suddenly become so heavy that it crushes them to death. By traveling to its home territory of Tokushima Prefecture, Yokai researcher Michael Dylan Foster learns of the Konakijiji's legend born among the nearby mountains.

In this episode of YOKAI: Exploring Japanese Folklore, we track down the legend of the ferocious Ushioni, a Yokai with the hulking body of a bull and an ogre-like face. In certain regions of Ehime Prefecture, this imposing Yokai has come to be regarded as a guardian spirit watching over the local people. Yokai researcher Michael Dylan Foster travels among the villages of the region to understand how religious and cultural factors shaped the deep connection people held with cattle, and why a beast is now considered a protector.

Despite losing an eye to illness, samurai Date Masamune crossed swords with powerful foes. Feared by all as the "One-Eyed Dragon," he built a vast domain, while developing food and culture through his refined aesthetic sense, and going so far as to undertake trade negotiations with Spain to promote economic growth. We learn from his wisdom, both in life and in battle.

In the 16th century Sengoku Period, a small tea caddy, Tsukumo Nasu, came into the hands of three who sought to rule Japan. Its fate reveals the inner lives of warlords in a deadly struggle for power.

Mount Fuji is an icon of Japan. We explore how it attained its height and cone shape, where its water goes and the story behind the Fujiko faith.