The Mark of Beauty

This episode focuses on the skills associated with traditional-style Japanese plastering, whereby a plasterer with his trowel can transform a wall into a work of art. We look at how a trowel can make walls truly shine, for example, in kote-e, the frieze- and relief-like ornamentation in the shape of dragons and tigers, which were meant to guard the home. We feature some examples of kote-e by outstanding craftsmen in the Edo period (1603-1868) and what they have to tell us.

This episode will feature a range of scissors that have evolved in Japan for use by different professionals and the beauty that they can create. Examples include fabric shears of the kind used by long-established bespoke tailors, whose blades are fashioned in the same manners as Japanese swords, as well as the shears used in traditional-style flower arrangement, which can cut both vertically and horizontally in the same way as a saw or retractable cutter. And there are also the scissors that hairdressers use to take care of almost invisible split ends.

Kyoto has some snacks that are furtively enjoyed by the residents. We look at how confectioners achieve a vivid green in the rice cakes they make with the leaves of the mugwort plant, a treat available only in the early spring. And we look at the smooth bean paste whose beautiful lilac color is achieved by straining the beans repeatedly. This episode will delve into the aesthetics of some of the snacks evolved uniquely in Kyoto.

Windows are a part of any home, and they can occasionally bring something special to our lives. This episode will delve into the beauty they can convey. We look at some lavish windows providing stunning views of the Pacific, and a house in Kyoto whose long windows offer an artistic panorama. We also take a look at some small windows giving free and easy access, the product of one architect's whimsical desire to provide something exciting for children. And there are big windows ideal for leisurely locations.

Kirikane is a little-known, yet exquisite form of filigree work. It originated in the Mediterranean about 2,000 years ago, arriving in Japan along with Buddhist art. There it evolved into a unique, matchless craft over the course of a millennium. Gold filigrees measuring just less 1mm in length can produce subtle light and shadows. When inlaid into glass, light can play its magic, creating a kaleidoscope evoking the boundless cosmos. We feature a traditional craft that has survived through the passion of generations of practitioners. Welcome to an awe-inspiring realm of light arising from exquisite, breathtaking craftsmanship!

This episode features noren, the curtains traditionally placed over entrances to entice and welcome guests and customers. We look at a number of examples from different parts of Japan and the stories they have to tell. Those in Kyoto bear both the name and the spirit of long-established businesses, while in parts of the Kaga area, Ishikawa Prefecture renowned for a type of yuzen dyeing, parents traditionally gave beautiful and elegant entranceway curtains to daughters entering into marriage. In Okayama Prefecture, we look at some examples that helped revive a historic thoroughfare.

Sanshin is a 3-stringed musical instrument with a long history in Okinawa Prefecture, for those of you who may have heard the music from these southern islands of Japan. It can produce inspiring sounds. The elegantly curved neck is fashioned from ebony, a dark wood regarded as sacred, while the body is covered in snakeskin and embellished with the beautifully woven local fabrics. This instrument has been a treasured heirloom in many homes, valued both for its sound and its graceful shape.

This episode delves into the allure of Sanadahimo. It is a type of woven, flat cord that can trace its origins to the Sanada clan, which produced a number of generals during Japan's Sengoku period, an era of strife that lasted from the late 15th to the late 16th centuries. The cords are tough and hold fast. They were used to hold helmets and armor in place, helping in the style and dash of the warriors of the period. They have also been widely used in fastening the implements used in tea ceremony. The colors and patterns often signify a secret pledge. Today, Sanadahimo cord is being put to a range of other uses, even in outdoor goods. The cords imbue both beauty and functionality.

This episode focuses on the ubiquitous button. We look at a whole range of alluring examples, such as luxury editions, ideal for summer wear, fashioned from the shell of oysters used for cultivated pearls. We look at the results of stunning craftsmanship glittering with all of the colors of the rainbow, such as buttons inlaid with 500 pieces of glass or else gemstones such as ruby and turquoise. And there are some gorgeous antique versions that had been used by European aristocracy. We also focus on the latest designs that transform the mundane into something special.