NHK World Special Programs

In the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, bodies yet to be identified were designated with serial numbers. Retired police officer Abe Shuichi took it upon himself to recover the names of these unknown victims. Following the disaster, affected families needed to search for relatives by examining photographs of corpses, taking a great emotional toll. Abe, an expert in police likenesses, volunteered to use his forensic skills to help ease the pain of grieving families.

Summer, 2020. Nomura Yuki, the 20-year-old scion of a family dedicated to the Japanese performance art of Kyogen, prepares to take a huge step forward in his professional development. After rigorous training under the watchful eyes of his father Mansai and grandfather Mansaku, he will debut the challenging solo piece "Nasu no Yoichi," in which he plays 4 different characters. Mansai must ensure the family's viability while seeking a way forward as a live performer in the era of COVID-19. With the weight of tradition on his shoulders, can Yuki live up to the Nomura name?

Sano Toemon has spent much of his life trying to understand and preserve Japan's iconic cherry trees. Entrusted with restoring a cherry tree that's collapsed, he carefully observes its roots and listens to the particular sounds it makes to understand its condition and what it needs. Even at over 90 years old, he examines unique blossoms from new, crossbred varieties and keeps detailed records. This program listens to the words of a man who is filled with respect and love for all living things.

On March 11, 2021, a new form of prayer was born at Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto Prefecture. Dancer and actor Mirai Moriyama dedicated his performance to the Buddhist temple upon completion of its large-scale renovation, done every 200 years. The motif he chose was Kusozu, a 1,000-year-old illustration of the decaying process of a corpse. He conducted fieldwork at sacred sites around Kyoto, with the aim of reinterpreting what he felt there. What did Moriyama create? Director Kosai Sekine documented the process. (Performance organized by PERROTIN / Film produced by NION)