NHK

Aoi matsuri = Aoi festival (葵まつり)
1994. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD GT4884.K9 A55 1994
Summary: "The Aoi Festival is one of the three largest festivals in Kyoto, Japan's ancient capital. It dates back some 1,400 years. The event is held every year in May, when young men and women don colourful costumes from the Heian period and parade through the city" -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Butsuryū shisutemu = Images of Japan. Physical distribution (ベーシックジャパン. 物流システム)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD HF5415.6 .B47 2002
Summary: "Japanese logistic systems are changing rapidly. The expressway network enables prompt nationwide delivery of fresh fish and vegetables, and many trucks have refrigerator or freezer vans. Meanwhile, IT advances make possible real-time administration of resources. Supply chain management optimises a manufacturer's inventory. The just-in-time approach allows diverse cargoes to be delivered in small quantities and at frequent intervals. At the retail level, convenience stores have become widespread. The programme takes a close look at all of these systems." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Chika riyō = Images of Japan. Going underground (ベーシックジャパン. 地下利用)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TA712 .B47 2002
Summary: "At ground level, Japan's major cities are extremely crowded. As a consequence, since around 50 years ago, underground spaces have been exploited in various ways. Subway lines crisscross such large cities as Tokyo and Osaka, and more lines are planned. large underground shopping malls can be found at major terminal stations, offering a wide range of goods and services. In addition to these aspects, the programme also presents the effective usage of Tokyo's underground space for such utilities as electrical transformers and reservoirs." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Enerugī = Images of Japan. Energy (ベーシックジャパン. エネルギー)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD HD9502.J32 B47 2002
Summary: "Japanese economic growth rocketed in the 1960s, but it was underpinned by a heavy dependence on fossil fuels, almost all of which were imported. The subsequent oil crisis of 1973 drove many Japanese to the brink of panic and prompted a new commitment to diversity. The programme examines how contemporary Japan utilises such key resources as oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear energy and hydroelectricity. In Japan's drive for energy efficiency we also consider the role for such alternatives as solar energy, wind power, electrical generation from garbage incineration and fuel cells." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Gendai supōtsu to taishū geinō = Images of Japan. Contemporary sports and entertainment (ベーシックジャパン. 現代スポーツと大衆芸能)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD GV125 .B465 2002
Summary: "Japan's long traditional of athleticism includes sumo, judo and kendo. But base ball, golf and other sports from the US and Europe are also extremely popular. Conversely, in addition to movies and TV, Japanese also enjoy various forms of traditional entertainment. These include the comic storytelling art of rakugo, the manzai brand of stand-up humour and folk songs that are handed down from one generation to the next, and a characteristically Japanese style of singing. The programme presents various examples of contemporary sports and traditional entertainment." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Goraku = Images of Japan. Leisure (ベーシックジャパン. 娯楽)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD GV125 .B47 2002
Summary: "Japanese worked extremely hard to contribute to the nation's years of high economic growth, but traditionally people have also enjoyed their leisure time in the company of friends, family and neighbours. In urban areas, young people pass the time playing computer games or enjoying karaoke get-togethers. Middle-aged and elderly people may prefer more traditional pastimes such as go and shogi. And pachinko pinball is popular with people of all ages. Families and friends may go to baseball games or horseracing, and other popular pursuits include camping, fishing and bathing. The programme presents some of the most typical ways in which Japan's city dwellers enjoy their leisure time." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Hataraku josei = Images of Japan. Working women (ベーシックジャパン. 働く女性)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD HD6197 .B47 2002
Summary: "In recent years women have made impressive advances in Japanese society. Many jobs that were previously regarded as work for men are now also undertaken by women, and it is no longer rare for a woman to serve in a high position in either the public or private sector. Currently, 40% of public servants and company employees are women, and many perform the same duties as men. The programme presents the professional and private lives of working women, including an architect and a bus driver." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Iryō = Images of Japan. Medical care (ベーシックジャパン. 医療)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD RA395.J3 B37 2002
Summary: "Treating elderly people already accounts for more than 40 percent of Japanese medical costs. In 2000, a new public social insurance system was introduced to enable elderly people to receive care and treatment either at facilities or at home. The programme presents systems and services that have been introduced in response to the greying of Japan. It also reviews organ transplants from brain-dead donors and the principle of informed consent. And it looks at the latest in drug development and such techniques as remote treatment." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Jūtaku jijō = Images of Japan. Housing situation (ベーシックジャパン. 住宅事情)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD HD7367.A3 B37 2002
Summary: "Japan has relatively little habitable land and the population is densely concentrated, especially in cities. The average area per dwelling is much smaller than in the United States or Europe. But nowadays, even in the middle of super-crowded Tokyo, luxury condominiums are on the increase, and relatively spacious detached houses are becoming more common in the suburbs. While focusing in particular on luxury apartments and detached houses, the programme traces changes in the housing situation since the Second World War and also presents more traditional living spaces." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Keisatsu, shōbō = Images of Japan. Police and firefighters (ベーシックジャパン. 警察・消防)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD HV8257.A2 B47 2002
Summary: "Japan's reputation as a safe country has taken a blow in recent years from acts of terrorism and powerful earthquakes. Police and firefighters work on the front line of public security. The programme analyses the function of police boxes, and describes advanced data systems, anti-terrorist measures, new fingerprinting and other forensic techniques, and the latest traffic control systems. We also see how firefighters offer protection after earth quakes, tsunami, volcanic eruptions and other disasters, and learn about regional firefighting structures and facilities." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Kōtsū. I, Dōro, kairo = Images of Japan. Transport network. I, Road, sea (ベーシックジャパン. 交通. I, 道路・海路)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD HE277 .B47 2002
Summary: "The rapid expansion of the Japanese road network reflects rapid growth in car ownership. The construction of expressways began in Tokyo during the period of high economic growth from the late 1950s, and expressways now link nearly all of the major cities. Apart from roads themselves, this programme also considers such high-tech Intelligent Transportation Systems as Vehicle Information and Communication Systems and Electronic Toll Collection, as well as various other ways in which roads now respond to environmental and consumer requirements. The role played by urban public transport including buses and taxis is reviewed, and some of the ferry services linking Japan's many islands are presented." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Kōtsū. II, Tetsudō, kōkūro = Images of Japan. Transport network. II, Rail, air (ベーシックジャパン. 交通. II, 鉄道・航空路)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD HE277 .B472 2002
Summary: "Railways were Japan's first means of long-distance transportation in the modern era, and a comprehensive rail network has performed key functions for decades. The Shinkansen ushered in the age of high-speed bulk transportation in 1964 and now serves many regions. A new, even faster service is planned. The programme traces the development of the rail network and describes advanced technologies and services. We also see the latest information on domestic and international airports, the air network, and aircraft used in Japan." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Kyōiku = Images of Japan. Education (ベーシックジャパン. 教育)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD LA1312 .B47 2002
Summary: "Japan's rapid economic development would not have been possible without a well-educated population. Compulsory education is composed of six years of elementary school and three years of junior high school, with 97% of children also attending three years of senior high school and 45% of high-school graduates attending university. Schools are either public or private. Many children wishing to go on to college attend cram schools. Other cram schools cater to students who failed college entrance exams but wish to try again. In addition to a general overview, the programme also focuses on such new topics as a five-day school week and entrance exam diversification." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Media. I, Shinbun, shuppan = Images of Japan. Media. I, Newspapers, publishing (ベーシックジャパン. メディア. I, 新聞・出版)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD P92.J3 B47 2002
Summary: "Japan's leading newspapers have world-beating circulation figures, thanks in part to a very reliable delivery service. Many Japanese take both morning and evening editions of newspapers that cover politics, economics, society, sports, and culture. The top papers are powerful opinion-leaders. The programme traces the whole newspaper process from page layout to home delivery. Japan also has an extraordinarily rich assortment of other publications. Weeklies, monthlies and other periodicals are especially popular. We see the major categories and distribution methods." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Media. II, Hōsō = Images of Japan. Media. II, Broadcasting (ベーシックジャパン. メディア. II, 放送)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD P92.J3 B472 2002
Summary: "Japanese broadcasting can be broadly divided into NHK, which is supported by the collection of public receiving fees, and private broadcasters, many of which are backed by newspaper groups and all of which depend on advertising for revenue. NHK's comprehensive nationwide network delivers a full range of TV and radio programme on every subject. A private broadcasting firm typically consists of local networks plus a key station in Tokyo. The programme examines Japan's broadcasters from various angles in the new multi-channel age of communication satellite and broadcasting satellite services." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Mizu to hi no matsuri = Images of Japan. Festivals of water and fire (ベーシックジャパン. 水と火のまつり)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD GT4884.A2 B477 2002
Summary: "Many Japanese festivals reflect a perception of fire and water as sacred and mysterious elements. The programme presents various fire and water festival traditions. In one ritual, a divine object is dipped in a river to cleanse it. In another, a portable shrine receives rough treatment in a river. Deep in the mountains, a torch-lit gathering before a shrine marks the start of a portable shrine parade. Elsewhere, nearly naked men engage in a dangerous ritual in which they rock a portable shrine violently while the sparks from giant fireworks fall all around them." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Mura no matsuri = Images of Japan. Local festivals (ベーシックジャパン. 村のまつり)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD GT4884.A2 B48 2002
Summary: "All over Japan, towns and villages take time off once or twice a year for a major event revolving around a local shrine or temple. Often these celebrations are harvest festivals, marking the completion either of an agricultural cycle or a year of fishing. Typically the whole community takes part, and local traditions are passed on from one generation to the next. The programme also looks at rice-planning festivals, events to ward off pestilence and evil, so-called "naked" festivals, and rituals that involve competing for a sacred object." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Nenjū gyōji to shikitari = Images of Japan. Annual events and customs (ベーシックジャパン. 年中行事としきたり)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD BL2211.R5 B47 2002
Summary: "Japan has numerous annual events that mark and reflect the passing seasons. The greatest importance of all is attached to customs observed by families at the beginning of each year. Then in February comes a ritual to ward off evil and welcome good fortune, followed by a celebration of the healthy growth of girls (March) and boys (May). In July, the Tanabata or Star Festival, originally a Chinese custom, is observed, and in August people pray to the spirits of their ancestors in the Bon Festival. The programme shows how such traditional practices survive in everyday Japanese life." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Shijō to shōten = Images of Japan. Wholesale markets and retail stores (ベーシックジャパン. 市場と商店)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD HD9016.J32 B47 2002
Summary: "Seventy percent of Japan is mountainous, rainfall is high, and both warm and cold currents flow around the archipelago. For centuries these conditions have contributed to the success of farming and fishing in Japan. Japan's urban shops and supermarkets and packed with fresh produce, most of which comes from specialised markets. This tendency is especially clear in the capital, Tokyo, where major fish and vegetable markets bustle with activity every morning. The programme looks at the structure of these markets and how they serve shops in the old heart of Tokyo." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Shūkyō : Shintō to Bukkyō = Images of Japan. Religion : Shinto and Buddhism (ベーシックジャパン. 宗教 : 神道と仏教)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD BL2203 .B47 2002
Summary: "The principal religions in Japan are Shinto (the ancient Way of the Gods) and Buddhism (which came to Japan from India), along with the more recently adopted Christianity and Islam. Many Japanese have an easy-going attitude to religion. It is common for a person to have a Shinto-style marriage and a Buddhist-style funeral. Both Shinto and Buddhist rituals are rooted in everyday life, and are virtually taken for granted. The programme focuses on Shinto and Buddhism, explaining the nature and observance of both religions in Japan." -- NHKInternational's catalog.

Bēshikku Japan. Yūbin to takuhai shisutemu = Images of Japan. Postal and delivery services (ベーシックジャパン. 郵便と宅配システム)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD HE7275 .B47 2002
Summary: "Japan's 24,000 post offices provide nationwide services at standard rates. In addition to delivering mail, post offices operate international parcel and registered mail services, and even savings accounts and insurance schemes. Japan also has private delivery services that deliver door-to-door. Dating back only to the 1980s, these companies have thrived on the basis of such services as deliveries at specific times of day and the handling of frozen foods. The programme examines the delivery systems that make all of these services possible." -- NHK International's catalog.

Bunraku (文楽)
Tomoo Ueno
2001. DVD (53 min.)
Call#: DVD PN1978.J3 B777 2002
Summary: "Presents the story of Bunraku through two of its greatest masters, puppeteer Tamao Yoshida and chanter Sumitayu Takemoto. ... Cameras go backstage to capture the immense preparations and grueling rehearsals for their rendition of the masterpiece Shinju Ten no Amijima."--Container.

Chanoyu no sekai = The world of tea (茶の湯の世界)
1990. DVD (ca. 50 min.)
Call#: DVD GT2912.M8 C453 1990
Summary: "This live broadcast was the first time the succession of a tea ceremony master was ever shown on television. The sucession of the master of the venerable Mushakoji Senke School was announced with a grand tea ceremony. This programme shows the preparations, which included borrowing a tea bowl from Takamatsu, and the ceremony itself. The ceremony was held with the master and ten direct disciples." -- NHK International's catalog.

Chihō bijutsu no kōryū Michinoku kara Bungo made (地方美術の興隆 陸奥から豊後まで)
2005. DVD (ca. 76 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 7
Summary: "Chihō bijutsu no kōryū" focuses on the Buddhist art and architecture developed in rural areas, such as Fukiji in Ōita Prefecture and Chūsonji in Iwate Prefecture. Ōita Prefecture is also famous for its Usuki stone Buddhas, which are believed to date from the late Heian to the early Kamakura periods. "Emaki no ōgon jidai" introduces the oldest Genji monogatari emaki. It has been designated as a national treasure and is stored at Tokugawa Bijutsukan and Gotō Bijutsukan.

Chitei kara no messēji sōshoku kofun (地底からのメッセージ 装飾古墳)
2005. DVD (ca. 80 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 16
Summary: "Chitei kara no messēji" overviews the development of the ancient tombs called "kofun," constructed mainly from the 3rd century to the 7th century. Half of the ornamented tombs discovered in Japan are located in Kyūshū Region, but the ornaments and mural paintings prove that the area was ruled by the natives and those from the Asian Continent. The interior decoration of the tombs in Nara Prefecture show very different design from those in Kyūshū. The mural paintings of Takamatsuzuka Kofun in Asuka Village shows detailed and realistic expression of the court people. The film pays attention to the mural paintings of the ancient tombs in Korea and China to see the roots of the paintings in Takamatsuzuka. Kitora Kofun is another tomb in Asuka, and the inside walls are decorated with the holy beasts and Chinese constellation. These mural paintings help understanding the contemporary people's views of the universe as well as life and death. "Kinsei kyūtei bijutsu" introduces two imperial villas: Katsura Rikyū and Shugakuin Rikyū. Katsura Rikyū includes sukiya-influenced shoin, tea houses and strolling garden. Shugakuin Rikyū, located at the foot of Mt. Hiei, consists of three large gardens and tea houses linked by allées. The film shows the architectures, gardens, interior decorations of these villas.

Dewa sanzan = Faith and asceticism lift the human spirit (出羽三山)
1994. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD BQ8822 .D49 1994
Summary: "Dewa-sanzan, in northeastern Japan, is a sacred place in Japan's ancient religion of Shugen-do. It is said that here ascetic practices such as fasting or subjecting oneself to stifling smoke can lead to enlightenment and rebirth. Hear the stories of people searching for enlightenment and watch some of the physical hardships they put themselves through for the sake of mind and soul." -- NHK International's catalog.

Emaki no ōgon jidai Ban Dainagon emaki (絵卷の黄金時代 伴大納言絵卷)
2005. DVD (ca. 65 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 8
Summary: "Ban Dainagon emaki" depicts the historical event known as "Ōtenmon no hen ( : col. with b&w sequences ; 4 3/4 in.the Ōtenmon conspiracy)" of 866, in which Ōtenmon, one of the main gates of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto, was burned down and Minamoto no Makoto was blamed for setting the fire. But the scroll asserts that it was the work of a conspiracy led by Ban Dainagon. Ban Dainagon was later banished, although histrorically the truth has never been established. The scroll vividly presents four hundred individuals, from the major characters to curious bystanders at the scene. The painting has been attributed to Tokiwa Mitsunaga of the Tosa School. "Shigisan engi emaki" is a set of three narrative handscrolls stored at Chōgo Sonshiji at Shigisan (Mt. Shigi). But different from other engi scrolls which explain the origins of their associated temples, this one features the miracles attributed to the monk Myōren, who lived on Mt. Shigi.

Emaki no ōgon jidai Chōjū jinbutsu giga / Heike zanshō : Itsukushima Jinja (絵卷の黄金時代 鳥獣人物戯画 / 平家残照 : 厳島神社)
2005. DVD (ca. 65 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 9
Summary: "Chōjū jinbutsu giga" is a set of four picture scrolls belonging to Kōzanji, Kyoto. The scrolls are considered a forerunner of Japanese caricature, cartoon and even animation. The film animates the animals and people in the scrolls to emhance its vivid, energetic and humorous expression. The film discusses the uniquness of each scroll. "Heike zanshō" features Itsukushima Jinja, designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The shrine consists of pier-like structures built over the bay of Istukushima, also known as Miyajima. Originally the island was worshipped by the ancient Japanese, and Taira no Kiyomori provided lavish support to enable the construction of various buildings connected by many corridors. The present shrine, rebuilt in the mid 16th century, still maintains the Heian era's structural design. The film also shows various arts and artifacts belonging to the shrine, including the luxuriously decorated Buddhist sutra scrolls dedicated by the Heike Clan.

Gion matsuri = Gion festival (祇園祭)
1994. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD GT4884.K9 G56 1994
Summary: "Kyoto's centuries-old Gion Festival, held every summer, features a parade of 32 palanquins called yamaboko, meaning mountain-sword. The floats, five metres high, are shaped like mountains pierced by swords. The Gion Festival is an occasion for great communal fun." -- NHK International's catalog.

Gomi o takara ni kaeru otoko tachi gendai renkinjutsu = Twentieth-century alchemy : men who transmute waste into treasure (ゴミを宝に変える男たち 現代錬金術)
1986. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD TD799.5 .G66 1986
Summary: "Recovery of valuable metals such as gold, titanium, chrome and cesium, to name just a few, from rejected integrated circuits, outmoded computers, and scrap leftover from the production of precision tools: this is the subject of the programme. Recycling waste is of course becoming ever more common in a world more aware of environmental concerns. In the case of Japan, this is even more crucial as it has limited domestic sources of these valuable metals." -- NHK International's catalog.

Inori no zōkei Hōryūji Taishi yukari no teradera / Seiiki no kaori : Yakushiji (祈りの造形 法隆寺・太子ゆかりの寺々 / 西域の香り : 薬師寺)
2005. DVD (ca. 72 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 2
Summary: "Inori no zōkei" introduces Hōryūji and other temples closely associated with Shōtoku Taishi, the regent for Suiko Tennō, who promoted Buddhism in Japan. "Seiiki no kaori" features sculptures in Yakushiji which reflect continental influences.

Ise ondo koi no netaba (伊勢音頭恋寝刃)
2004. DVD (109 min.) All region
Call#: DVD PN2924.5.K3 I824 2004
Summary: Based on an actual multiple murder in the Aburaya Tea House, this play is one of the most popular in the Kabuki repertoire, combining action, intrigue and murder. This play is a staple of summer Kabuki performances in the belief that the audience will be cooled as they shiver with fear through the horrific killing scene.

Kagayake kyodai washi = The sublime giant washi (輝け巨大和紙)
2004. DVD (ca. 43 min.)
Call#: DVD N7359.H664 K34 2004
Summary: "Eriko Horiki (41) is a washi designer who has recently been attracting attention. She first became interested in the beauty of washi art 18 years ago. After apprenticing in the methods of traditional hand-crafted paper in the township of Imadate-cho, in Fukui Prefecture, Horiki developed her own technique for producing a giant sheet of washi measuring over 15 metres in width. Beginning with Kyoto Station, her large works have been exhibited in recent years in busy public spaces sush as airports and hotels. Due to its geometric design, the giant washi can appear to change character depending on the lighting. The washi, glowing in the light, can create a wonderful, enchanting space. In the winter of 2003, Horiki was given a perfect opportunity to demonstrate to people the possibilities of washi art. A major electronics equipment manufacturer had commissioned her to produce a number of washi works to be exhibited in a new museum in the Shiodome district of Tokyo. Horiki decided on a kachofugetsu or beauty of nature motif as the theme of her works. Along with giant panels depicting the sun and moon as her centrepiece, Horiki also created a three-dimensional paper sculpture in the image of a bird. The one sheet of glowing washi paper surprises and delights the people, bringing happiness to them and wrapping them in a gentle embrace of light. The programme pursues the daily life of Eriko Horiki as she energetically explores the possibilities of washi." -- NHK International's catalog.

Kanjinchō (勧進帳)
2004. DVD (78 min.) All region
Call#: DVD PN2924.5.K3 K32 2004
Summary: Performance of a kabuki play set in the 12th century, an age of civil war, when two military clans battle for political supremacy.

Karei naru gokuraku jōdo = Byodo-in Temple heavenly architecture (華麗なる極楽浄土)
2002. DVD (ca. 49 min.)
Call#: DVD N8193.J3 B888 2002
Summary: "Those who have value fine design will truly appreciate this program, which follows the restoration of one of the world's most outstanding structures, the Byodoin Temple, in Kyoto. In 1052, a powerful regent converted his father's villa, situated to the southeast of Kyoto, into a Buddhist temple. The temple's combination of setting, architecture, carvings, paintings and artifacts is truly sublime. Its most prominent feature is the magnificient "Hoodo" (Phoenix Hall), which contains a statue of the Buddha Amida, designated a National Treasure. Naturally, the temple began to show its age. in 1990, a full-scale, decade-long restoration program was initiated. This program, using CG to their fullest, follows the restoration work and showcases the many exquisite features of the temple and its contents" --- NHK International's online catalog.

Katsura Rikyū = Beauty reborn the Katsura Imperial Villa restoration project (桂離宮)
1982. DVD (ca. 48 min.)
Call#: DVD NA7758.K94 B48 1982
Summary: "An impressive array of Japanese traditional craftmen, experts in every aspect of interior design, were assembled to aid in the repair of the Katsura Imperial Villa, a cultural relic from the 17th century. Three and half centuries of exposure to the elements had caused the structure to become dilapidated, and the reconstruction required six years. This program documents those years, 1976 to 1982, and records every detail, from dismantling the structures to its glorious return to the beauty of former days." -- NHK International's online catalog.

Kōbō tanbō. Gaka Itō Shikō = Japanese craftsmen with a difference. Painter Shiko Ito (工房探訪. 画家 伊藤紫虹)
1993. DVD (ca. 25 min.)
Call#: DVD ND2073.I86 K63 1993
Summary: "Ito trained in the techniques of both Chinese and western art. She works in the traditional Japanese medium of sumi, Indian ink, creating images of cities." -- NHK International's catalog.

Kōbō tanbō. Kagu sakka Kojima Shingo = Japanese craftsmen with a difference. Cabinet maker Shingo Kojima (工房探訪. 家具作家 小島伸吾)
1993. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD NK2550.K65 K63 1993
Summary: "As Kojima makes his furniture, he engages in an interesting struggle between the direction of his creativity and the very nature of trees. This programme follows Kojima's life with wood in a workshop situated in natural surroundings." -- NHK International's catalog.

Kōbō tanbō. Kinkō sakka (rōgata) Miyata Kōhei = Japanese craftsmen with a difference. Goldsmith Kohei Miyata (工房探訪. 金工作家 (蠟型) ) 宮田宏平)
1993. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD NK4210.K555 K63 1993
Summary: "Miyata uses the lost wax process to create highly original jewellery. He also combines traditional and modern materials in unusual sculptures." -- NHK International's catalog.

Kōbō tanbō. Tankinka Andō Izumi = Japanese craftsmen with a difference. Metal sculptor Izumi Ando (工房探訪. 鍛金家 安藤泉)
1993. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD NK6498.A58 K65 1993
Summary: "Ando's specialty is the creation of larger-than-life animals sculpted in copper. This programme focuses on one work, a lion with a lion-tamer entitled The Chances of an Upset." -- NHK International's catalog.

Kōbō tanbō. Tōgeika Koie Ryōji = Japanese craftsmen with a difference. Potter Ryoji Koie (工房探訪. 陶芸家 鯉江良二)
1993. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD NK4210.K555 K63 1993
Summary: "Koie makes not only traditional everyday ware, but also avant-grade works that are esteemed internationally. This programme shows Koie's personality emerging in his constant struggle with clay." -- NHK International's catalog.

Kōbō tanbō. Washi kōgeika : Kanō Toshiharu = Japanese craftsmen with a difference. Paper craft maker Toshiharu Kano (工房探訪. 和紙工芸家 加納俊治)
1993. DVD (ca. 25 min.)
Call#: DVD NK8553.5.K36 K63 1993
Summary: "In a process of controlled spontaneity, Kano creates both realistic scenes and abstract designs using the techniques of making traditional Japanese paper. -- NHK International's catalog.

Kokuhō tanbō. Ōgon no gokuraku jōdo : Chūsonji Konjikidō = National treasures. A brilliant image of nirvana : the Golden Shrine at Chusonji Temple (国宝探訪. 黄金の極楽浄土 : 中尊寺・金色堂)
2001. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD N8193.J3 K662 2001
Summary: "Among the many national treasures at Chusonji Temple, the Golden Shrine is particularly admired because it is plated with gold inside and out. It was built around 1100 A.D. by Fujiwara Kiyohira, founder of the northern Fujiwara dynasty in Japan's northeastern region of Tohoku, an area rich in gold. The concepts of the shrine are "repose of souls" and "earthly paradise." The program looks at what people asked of the shrine's statues of Buddha in those early times" -- NHK International's catalog.

Kokuhō tanbō. Tennin ga maiorite : Nara Yakushiji = National treasures. Heavenly creatures descending : Yakushiji temple in Nara (国宝探訪. 天人が舞い降りて : 奈良・薬師寺)
2001. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD N8193.J3 K664 2001
Summary: "Located in Nara-Nishinokyo, Yakushiji Temple has a 1300-year history. The temple holds its main event, the Hanaeshiki Flower Festival, every spring. The festival is a Buddhist service to the three Bodhisattva statues. The programme introduces both the festival and the techniques used in the construction of the temple's East Tower and Suien (clouds of spray) on the spire of the tower " -- NHK International's catalog.

Kokuhō tanbō. Ushinawareta asobi no fukei : Chōjū jinbutsu giga = National treasures. Playful scenery lost : the picture scroll (国宝探訪. 失われた遊びの風景 : 鳥獣人物戯画)
2001. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD ND1059.3 .K65 2001
Summary: "The frolicking Animal and Human Figures scroll is in the collection of Kozanji Temple in Kyoto. In black ink, it depicts animals playing, but it seems that the scroll numbers are not sequential because some sections ware joined together incorrectly. The scroll is popular for its humour as well as its mystery and may be the origin of modern comics. The prograrmme focuses on the comical touch of the work and the mind of the artist." -- NHK International's catalog.

Kono yo no sanka kinsei shoki fūzokuga / Omoshiro no hana no miyako : rakuchū rakugaizu (この世の賛歌 近世初期風俗画 / おもしろの花の都 : 洛中洛外図)
2005. DVD (ca. 78 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 14
Summary: "Kono yo no sanka" features genre style of painting developed in the Muromachi period. "Uesugi-bon Rakuchū Rakugaizu" drawn by Kanō Eitoku is the most famous screen painting which overlooks the streets of Kyoto and lives of the people. "Nanban byōbu" exhibits the Spanish and Portuguese people visiting to Japan for trade and missionary. "Hōkoku saireizu byōbu" by Iwasa Matabē depicts the tumultuousness excitement of the festival. These genre paintings help our understanding of the lives of the people of the time. "Omoshiro no hana no miyako" introduces three "rakuchū rakugaizu," usually painted on folding screens, produced from the Muromachi period to Edo period. So-called "Rekihaku kō-hon" (stored at Kokuritsu Rekishi Minzoku Hakubutsukan) includes the mansion of Ashikaga Shogun built around 1525 and Tako Yakushi, burned down in 1536; from the described scenery this screen painting is considered as the oldest of this kind. The so-called "Uesugi-bon" was drawn by Kanō Eitoku, who later founded the Kanō School. It was allegedly sent by Oda Nobunaga to Uesugi Kenshin in 1574. The screen depicts the mansions of the powerful warlords, the parade of floats of the Gion Festival and people enjoying the seasonal beauty of Kyoto. The number of people appearing in this screen reaches 2,485. So-called "Funaki-bon" depicts Kyoto in the early Edo period. The screen depicts Kyoto in full maturity, featuring Hōkōji, built by Toyotomi Hideoyoshi, and Nijōjō, built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, who reigned in Japan after defeating the Toyotomi clan.

Kumagai jinya = Kumagai's battle camp (一谷嫩軍記. 熊谷陣屋)
2002. DVD (86 min.) All region
Call#: DVD PN2924.5.K3 I35 2002
Summary: One of the classics of the jidaimono or historical plays, this famous act chronicles a dramatic incident during the Battle of Ichinotani, during the long war between Genji and the Heike Clans. General Kumagai is, like many Kabuki tragic heroes, a victim of the medieval Japanese code of honor. Confronted with the prospect of having to kill the Emperor's son, he beheads his own son instead. Released from further duty, he spends his last days as a wandering priest.

Kunaichō gakubu = Gagaku : music of the Japanese court (宮内庁楽部)
2000. DVD (ca. 49 min.)
Call#: DVD ML340 .K86 2000
Summary: "Gagaku--traditional Japanese court music--has its origin in China and Korea, and its original form was introduced to Japan over 1500 years ago. Since then, gagaku has been handed down through generations, and is now performed by 25 government employees who belong to the Music Department of the Imperial Household Agency. NHK was the first to televise their study and test sessions as well as a practice session for a banquet. Through these scenes, the programme unveils the tradition of the Japanese court music orchestra." -- NHK International's catalog.

Kyōi no manazashi kisō no gaka Jakuchū, Shōhaku, Rosetsu / Ikoku e no akogare : Nanban bijutsu Kōmō bijutsu (驚異のまなざし奇想の画家 若冲・蕭白・芦雪 / 異国への憧れ : 南蛮美術, 紅毛美術)
2005. DVD (ca. 89 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 19
Summary: "Kyōi no manazashi" features painters in Kyoto who created unorthodox pictures in the mid-Edo period: Soga Shōhaku's pictures inspired by Chinese legend and folklore leave striking and uneasy impressions; Nagasawa Rosetsu developed his wild and humorous style expressed in animals and people in large wall papers and screens. Realism and Surrealism coexist in Itō Jakuchū's works; he is known for his minute and vivid depiction of plants and animals, in particular, chickens and game fowls. His "sujimegaki" in his ink paintings and other techniques are introduced in the film. "Ikoku e no akogare" introduces Namban art, inspired by the European/Christian arts brought by missionaries and merchants. Namban arts became popular in Kyūshū Region but it soon declined and largely due to the prohibition of Christianity and had been forgotten until the Meiji period. Namban byōbu describes the European people who sailed to Japan and exchanges between Japanese and European people. These screen paintings show the fusion of Japanese and Western arts. Some tea ceremony utinsils and artifacts also show the influence of European/Christian arts. Interest in Western arts revived in the mid-Edo period through Rangaku (Dutch studies), and although short-lived, "Akita ranga" was developed within the Akita clan. Influenced by Hiraga Gennai and "Akita ranga," Shiba Kōkan produced copperplate etchings and oil paintings.

Mikkyō shingen Kyōō Gokokuji (密教森厳 教王護国寺)
2005. DVD (ca. 76 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 5
Summary: "Mikkyō shingon" features Kyōō Gokokuji (also known as Tōji) and Kūkai, founder of the Shingon school of Buddhism, who introduced Tantric Buddhism to Japan. The film recaps Kūkai's achievements and the establishment of the temple as depicted in scrolls and paintings. Some of the most notable sculptures stored at the temple are also shown: Yakushi Nyorai (Bhaiṣajyaguru), Nikkō Bosatsu (Suryaprabha) and Gakkō Bosatsu (Candraprabha) at Kondō (the Main Hall), and 21 sculptures in Kōdō (Lecture Hall) through which Kūkai attempted to three-dimensionally represent the world of mandara. "Shinzan ni inoru" features "sangaku shinkō (nature worship centered upon mountains)" developed after Saichō and Kūkai brought Tantric Buddhism to Japan. The film features Enyakuji at Mt. Hiei, Jingoji at Mt. Takao. It also covers Kongōbuji at Mt. Kōya where women were once prohibited from worshipping, and Murooji at Mt. Muroo, which was open to women and was thus called "Nyonin Kōya (Mt. Kōya for women)."

Nanto fukkō Unkei, Kaikei (南都復興 運慶・快慶)
2005. DVD (ca. 68 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 10
Summary: "Nanto fukkō" features the sculptors from "Kei-ha (the Kei School)" during the Kamakura period, in particular, Unkei and Kaikei. As a result of the siege of Nara by the Heike Clan in 1180, many temples and sculptures were lost to fire. At the reconstruction, the Buddhist sculptors in Nara played an active part. Unkei's sculptures expresses strength and realism, different from those in the Heian period. Kaikei's works, in a style called "Annami-yō," express delicacy and elegance. "Jigoku o meguru" focuses on scrolls which depict pain, suffering, death and the hell based on the Buddhist cosmology called "rokudō (six realms)." "Jigoku zōshi" describes the different levels of hells in which people suffer for thousands of years. "Kusōshi emaki" records the decaying process of the body of a beautiful woman. These pictures reflect the reality of the war-torn society and people's desire to go to the Pure Land.

Nihon kōgei no hana urushi (日本工芸の華 漆)
2005. DVD (ca. 84 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 17
Summary: "Nihon kōgei no hana" focuses on lacquer arts. The decoration of urushi is shown in "Tamamushi no zushi" created in the 7th century, but the application of urushi lacquer can be traced back to the Jōmon period (ca 10,000-3,00BC). The collection stored at Shōsōin includes the lacquer wares imported from the Asian continent or created domestically in the Nara period, helping us to understand the development of urushi lacquering in Japan. During the Nara period urushi was also used as adhesive to create sculptures, but many decorative techniques using urushi, such as makie, were invented during the Heian period and later. The artifacts called "Kōdaiji makie" were produced during the Momoyama period. Honʼami Kōetsu and Ogata Kōrin in the early Edo period designed makie boxes with modern beauty. Japanese lacquer wares were exported to Europe and became representative decorative crafts of Japan. Different regions developed their own local lacquering technique, producing unique urushi artifacts. "Hyakka ryōran" focuses on the history of Japanese pottery developed from daily necessities to artifacts during the Momoyama period. Porcelain was first produced in Arita, Kyūshū, and became known as Imari ware in Europe. "Kakiemon" ware which featured colorful designs on fine white porcelain were particularly famous and influenced European ceramics design. The film also discusses the short-lived Kokutani (Old Kutani) produced in the mid-17th century and colorfully decorated Kyōyaki wares, including works by Nonomura Ninsei and Ogata Kenzan.

Nihon no dentō bunka. Bunraku = Traditional Japanese culture. Bunraku (日本の伝統文化. 文楽)
1999. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD PN1978.J3 N48 1999
Summary: "This programme enables viewers to grasp an idea of the classic bunraku puppet theatre." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dentō bunka. Cha no yu = Traditional Japanese culture. Tea ceremony (日本の伝統文化. 茶の湯)
1999. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD DS806.3 .S455 2001
Summary: "It has been nearly 1,200 years since tea was first introduced to Japan, and people back then developed a unique way to drink it: the tea ceremony. This programme introduces the unique and esthetic world of tea." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dentō bunka. Ikebana = Traditional Japanese culture. Ikebana : flower arrangement (日本の伝統文化. 生け花)
1999. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD SB450 .N54 1999
Summary: "Although its origin is uncertain, flower arrangemen is one of the best known traditional arts in Japan. This programme introduces various basic forms of ikebana with the cooperation of the Sogetsu school." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dentō bunka. Kabuki = Traditional Japanese culture. Kabuki (日本の伝統文化. 歌舞伎)
1999. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD PN2924.5.K3 N54 1999
Summary: "The history of kabuki goes back four centuries. This programme offers a very basic introduction to this fascinating, complex tradition." -- NHK International’s catalog.

Nihon no dentō bunka. Kimono = Traditional Japanese culture. Kimono (日本の伝統文化. 着物)
1999. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD GT1560 .N53 1999
Summary: "The kimono, Japan's traditional costume, is very highly regarded worldwide for its beauty and elegance. Various traditional techniques are used to produce kimono material, including the weaving of different coloured threads and the drawing of patterns on white cloth followed by careful dyeing using a variety of devices. This programme introduces the main techniques used to create the two basic elements of a kimono, the material itself and the obi sash. Both begin with the spinning of silkworm cocoons into raw silk." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dentō bunka. Nō = Traditional Japanese culture. Noh drama (日本の伝統文化. 能)
1999. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD PN2924.5.N6 N46 1999
Summary: "Noh drama is one of Japan's great theatrical traditions. With its history of 600 years, noh is the world's oldest continuous tradition of poetic drama." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dentō bunka. Shodō = Traditional Japanese culture. Calligraphy (日本の伝統文化. 書道)
1999. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD NK3637.A2 N52 1999
Summary: "Traditional Japanese calligraphy is the art of writing characters on white paper with a brush dipped in black ink. The completed work can be regarded as both art and writing." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dentō supōtsu. Jūdō = Traditional Japanese sports. Judo (日本の伝統スポーツ. 柔道)
1994. DVD (ca. 15 min.)
Call#: DVD GV1114 .N54 1994
Summary: "Although judo dates back to the Middle Ages, the rules of the sport as it is practised today were laid down in the late 19th century. In 1964, judo bacame an Olympic sport. This programme uses slowmotion to analyse the various techniques used in judo and demonstrate how, through quick thinking and fast reactions, a small person can throw a big one." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dentō supōtsu. Karatedō = Traditional Japanese sports. Karatedo (日本の伝統スポーツ. 空手道)
1994. DVD (ca. 15 min.)
Call#: DVD GV1114.3 .N54 1994
Summary: "In karatedo, opponents use their hands and feet as weapons. This programme shows just how destructive these weapons can be and the supreme necessity for control and accuracy in what is essentially a form of self-defence." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dentō supōtsu. Kendō = Traditional Japanese sports. Kendo (日本の伝統スポーツ. 剣道)
1994. DVD (ca. 15 min.)
Call#: DVD GV1142 .N54 1994
Summary: "Originally, kendo was practiced with real swords, now replaced by a shinai, a bamboo stick. The fascination of this sport is the speed with which opponents move from defense to attack, uttering loud exclamations. As this programme shows, footwork is the key to success." NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dentō supōtsu. Kyūdō = Traditional Japanese sports. Kyudo (日本の伝統スポーツ. 弓道)
1994. DVD (ca. 15 min.)
Call#: DVD GV1188.J3 N54 1994
Summary: "'Kyudo' is the Japanese sport of archery on foot. In 'yabusame,' the archers shoot from horseback. This programme looks at both types, illustrating the importance of correct stance and pose as well as accuracy in hitting the target --- catalog.

Nihon no dentō supōtsu. Naginata = Traditional Japanese sports. Naginata (日本の伝統スポーツ. なぎなた)
1994. DVD (ca. 15 min.)
Call#: DVD GV1150.4 .N54 1994
Summary: In the Middle Ages, the 'naginata,' a Japanese pike, was the weapon of the infantry. Interestingly, this martial art is today practiced mainly by women. Using techniques of hitting and jabbing, opponents must strike only certain parts of the body --- catalog.

Nihon no dentō supōtsu. Sumō = Traditional Japanese sports. Sumo (日本の伝統スポーツ. 相撲)
1994. DVD (ca. 24 min.)
Call#: DVD GV1197 .N54 1994
Summary: "What is the meaning of a sumo wrestler's top-knot? How are sumo werstlers ranked? Why do they throw salt into the ring? This programme presents a guide to appreciating the finer points of sumo. Its also shows life in a sumo training stable, and features the Hawaiian stars Akebono and Musashimaru and the popular brothers Takanohana and Wakanohana." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dezain. Ishō= Japan, a flair for design. Kimono (日本のデザイン. 衣装)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD GT1560 .N54 2004
Summary: "The world's image of Japan invariably includes the wearing of beautiful kimono. The origins of kimono lie in the kosode garments that appeared in the Azuchi-Momoyama Period, whose straight seams and flat construction made them almost like single pieces of cloth. The kimono that developed from the kosode have retained this simplicity of style ever since. It's precisely because they were all cut in the smae style that the kimono developed into the opulently embellished garment we know today: a wearable canvas to be extravagantly covered with superb designs." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dezain. Monshō = Japan, a flair for design. Crests (日本のデザイン. 紋章)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD CR57.J3 N54 2004
Summary: "In Japan, most families have family crests: extremely simple, stylised designs. These crests have long served to embody the Japanese affinity for family heritage as the ultimate basis of identity. The design of the first family crest in Japan, called the tomoe, supposedly depicts the soul, and originates in an Okinawan legend. Later other crests were created, and as family lines split off, they slightly modified the originals. Now there are more than 20,000 family crests. Japan's crests express the Japanese attitude toward family and lineage and an aethetic sensibility rooted in a rich natural environment." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no dezain. Yoroi kabuto = Japan, a flair for design. Armour (日本のデザイン. 鎧兜)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD NK6684.A1 N54 2004
Summary: "Japanese armour is known around the world for its gorgeous, novel designs. Above all, it is the part of the helmet called the maedate, an ornamental flourish above the visor, that demonstrates extravagant decorative desgins. The character of the samurai warrior was to refrain from self-expression. Only when he took to the battlefield to stare death in the face was he permitted to express himself freely through his armour. Japanese painter Hiroshi Senju examines these helmet designs, vibrant with the individual personality of the worriors, for a samurai aethetic that still resonates today." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no kankyō osen bōshi gijutsu. Gomi to risaikuru = Preventing pollution in Japan. Fighting and recycling waste (日本の環境污染防止技術. ゴミとリサイクル)
1995. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TD171.5.J3 N542 1995
Summary: "Every day, all over the world, tons of waste are generated by manufactureres, offices and homes. Where does it all to go? The traditional answers, garbage dumps and landfills, are becoming increasingly inadequate to cope with the volume and variety of waste produced. This programme introduces methods of reducing and recycling waste, drawing on examples currently in use." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no kankyō osen bōshi gijutsu. Kaiyō osen = Preventing pollution in Japan. Pollution of the seas (日本の環境污染防止技術. 海洋污染)
1997. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TD171.5.J3 N543 1997
Summary: "People all over the world are worried about pollutions of the seas. Japanese are no exception. Especially during postwar period of rapid economic growth, pollution of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan by effluent from factories and tanker oil spills became a serious problem. But efforts to prevent pollution of the seas have gradually been bearing fruit, thanks to the development of pollution preventing technologies. This programme shows the current status of pollution of the seas around Japan, as well as how people are tackling the problem with pollution-prevention technologies." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no kankyō osen bōshi gijutsu. Sangyō haikibutsu to sono shori = Preventing pollution in Japan. Industrial waste and disposal techniques (日本の環境污染防止技術. 産業廃棄物とその処理)
1999. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TD171.5.J3 N545 1999
Summary: "The 400 million tonnes of industrial waste produced in Japan each year is more than eight times the amount of waste generated by households. Disposal is becoming an urgent probelm. Now disposal technologies that result in minimal environmental pollution are being developed and some are already in use. This programme introduces cutting-edge industrial waste disposal methods." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no kankyō osen bōshi gijutsu. Shinrin hogo to ryokka gijutsu = Preventing pollution in Japan. Preservation of trees and afforestation technologies (日本の環境污染防止技術. 森林保護と緑化技術)
1997. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TD171.5.J3 N544 1997
Summary: "Japan has been called a country of trees, and about 70 percent of the total land is mountainous. Since ancient times, Japanese people have taken good care of the trees around them. With high economic growth, however, peoples' lifestyles have changed greatly, and devastation of Japan's forests has become a problem. At the same time, the decrease in the number and size of forests worldwide, especially in tropical regions, due to acid rain and slash-and-burn farming is becoming a serious issue. In response, tree-planting technologies have recently been developed in Japan in hopes of protecting forests all over the world. In addition to introducing technologies for tree-planting, this programme shows the past and present of forests in Japan." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no kankyō osen bōshi gijutsu. Taiki to mizu = Preventing pollution in Japan. A quest for clean air and pure water (日本の環境污染防止技術. 大気と水)
1995. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TD171.5.J3 N546 1995
Summary: "Japan has experienced many of the environmental difficulties that newly industrialising nations are now facing--rapid manufacturing growth leading to a degradation of air and water quality. In Japan, this occurred in the 1950s, and the result was both a lowering of the quality of life and the emergence of pollution-related diseases. This programme shows the measures Japan took to remedy the situation, and touches on other environmental challenges still being addressed." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no saishin gijutsu. Kankyō ni yasashii jidōsha o mezashitē = State-of-the-art technology in Japan. Eco-friendly cars (日本の最新技術. 環境にやさしい自動車を目指して)
2003. DVD (ca. 15 min.)
Call#: DVD TL221.15 .N54 2003
Summary: "All over the world, measures are being taken to reduce emissions of CO2, a source of environmental pollution. This programme introduces technologies being developed in Japan such as natural gas-buring cars, direct fuel-injection engines and hybrid cars that combine engines with electric motors." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no saishin gijutsu. Robotto ga jiritsu suru = State-of-the-art technology in Japan. Robots declare independence (日本の最新技術. ロボットが自立する)
2003. DVD (ca. 15 min.)
Call#: DVD TJ211 .N54 2003
Summary: "In the global race to develop robots, Japan has long focused its extensive research efforts on bipedal walking robots. This programme presents Japan's cutting-edge robot technology, from industrial robots to humanoid robots." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no sekai bunka isan. Gasshō zukuri shūraku, Hiroshima Heiwa Kinenhi = World cultural heritage sites in Japan. The Gassho-zukuri villages & Hiroshima Peace Memorial monument (日本の世界文化遺産. 合掌造り集落・広島平和記念碑)
2001. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD DS806.3 .S452 2001
Summary: "Along a deeply-carved valley in the mountains of central Japan are three picturesque villages with perfectly-preserved gassho-zukuri farmhouses. These wooden structures have steep thatched roofs that resist heavy snowfalls. As part of the efforts to preserve these buildings, more than 200 people work together ot rethatch one of the larger buildigs. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial is the skeletal remains of a public building in the heart of Hiroshima. It serves as a poignant reminder of the terrible destruction caused by the atomic boming of the city in 1945." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no sekai bunka isan. Himejijō, Itsukushima Jinja = World cultural heritage sites in Japan. Himeji Castle & Itsukushima Shrine (日本の世界文化遺産. 姬路城・厳島神社)
2000. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD DS806.3 .S453 2000
Summary: "Himeji Castle in Himeji City in western Japan was built about 400 years ago. The castle retains the medieval features of a castle building. It is one of Japan's most beautiful castles, and has survived unchanged to modern times. Itsukushima-jinja stands on Miyajima in the Seto Inland Sea in western Japan. The shrine comprises 17 structures including a great vermillion Torii, the inner shrine and a hall of worship." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no sekai bunka isan. Kyōto, Nara = World cultural heritage sites in Japan. Kyoto & Nara (日本の世界文化遺産. 京都・奈良)
2000. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD DS806.3 .S454 2000
Summary: "Kyoto was the capital and political centre of Japan for over 1,000 years from 794 to 1868. Today, a total of 17 buildings are designated world heritage sites, including castles, temples and shrines. Nara was the ancient capital of Japan, until the capital moved to Kyoto. In Nara city, there are cultural heritage sites such as the Buddha Hall in Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha and Horyuji Temple." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon no sekai bunka isan. Nikkō no shaji, Ryūkyū Ōkoku no shiro to isangun = World cultural heritage sites in Japan. The shrines and temples of Nikko & Shurijo Castle (日本の世界文化遺産. 日光の社寺・琉球王国の城と遺産郡)
2001. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD DS806.3 .S455 2001
Summary: "Located north of Tokyo, Nikko is home to more than 100 religious buildings that feature spectacular carvings, paintings and architectural features. The area has been a focus of worship for 1200 years. Until the 19th century, Okinawa Prefecture was the Kingdom of the Ryukyus and its capital was Shuri. Although much of the castle Shurijo was destroyed during World War II, it has been rebuilt as a powerful reminder of a rich cultural tradition that blended Japanese and Chinese influences." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon nōgyō no saishin gijutsu. Hatasaku, kaju saibai = The new technology of Japanese agriculture. Dry field farming (日本農業の最新技術. 畑作・果樹栽培)
2004. DVD (ca. 15 min.)
Call#: DVD S760.J3 N542 2004
Summary: "Technologies have been developed to protect Japan's dry field and fruit farming from natural disasters, reduce labour and improve the quality of the product. New cryogenic storage technology keeps products fresh. Careful thinning and bagging produces high-quality apples, and pheromones are used to control pests. A sensor can be used to sort oranges according to taste." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon nōgyō no saishin gijutsu. Inasaku = The new technology of Japanese agriculture. Rice cultivation (日本農業の最新技術. 稲作)
2004. DVD (ca. 15 min.)
Call#: DVD S760.J3 N543 2004
Summary: "Rice is the central commodity of Japanese agriculture. Today, many forms of mechanisation have been developed to improve rice production efficiency. The plants themselves have been bred for endurance and flavour. Fertilisers and agricultural chemicals are distributed with regard for environmental protection and safety. A new project is investigating ways to plant rice directly into the soil." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon nōgyō no saishin gijutsu. Yasai kōjō = The new technology of Japanese agriculture. Greenhouse cultivation (日本農業の最新技術. 野菜工場)
2004. DVD (ca. 15 min.)
Call#: DVD S760.J3 N544 2004
Summary: "The demand for vegetables year round has led to the evolution of vinyl greenhouse "vegetable factories" where seedlings and vegetables can be nurtured regardless of the weather. Computers control temperature, humidity, light and culture solution to ensure efficient production. Use of biotechnology improves mass production." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon sono kokoro to katachi. Dai 10-shū, 21-seiki no chōsen = Japan spirit and form. 10, Adventures on the way to the 21st century (日本その心とかたち. 第10集, 21世紀の挑戦)
1989. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD N7350 .N9 1989 vol. 10
Summary: "Ever since Buddhism first arrives, Japan has been adopting and adapting foreign cultures in a unique way. On the surface it may seem that new technologies, customs and social systems have been embraced in their entirety. But look below the surface and Japan's cultural core--the national worldview and philosophy--has remained virtually free of foregin influence. So what is the primal world view that Japanese have clung to so tenaciously through the ages? This programme wraps up the series by considering from a contemporary viewpoint the various expressions of Japanese mind and philosophy examined in the first nine programmes." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon sono kokoro to katachi. Dai 1-shū, Hajime ni katachi ariki = Japan spirit and form. 1, Form at the beginning (日本その心とかたち. 第1集, はじめに形ありき)
1989. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD N7350 .N9 1989 vol. 1
Summary: "Jomon ceramics are the world's oldest examples of pottery. Their bold, mystical forms are compelling even to the modern eye. But where did these forms come from? No one knows. Critic Shuichi Kato's search for clues leads him to the distant Mayan culture of Mexico. He compares Jomon culture with Mayan civiliation." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon sono kokoro to katachi. Dai 2-shū, Kamigami to hotoke no deai = Japan spirit and form. Dai 2-shū, The meeting of the God and Buddha (日本その心とかたち. 第2集, 神々と仏の出会い)
1989. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD N7350 .N9 1989 vol. 2
Summary: "The Omizutori (water-drawing) Festival at the temple Todaiji Temple in Nara heralds spring. But this Buddhist rite, practised since the Nara period, is concerned not only with Buddha but also with kami, the deities of Japan's indigenous Shinto or "way of the gods". It is a product of an unusual religious environment in which Buddhism and Shinto coexist. By examining various Japanese and European festivals, as well as Buddhist and Shinto images, this programme casts light on the unique nature of Japan's Shionto-Buddhist fusion." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon sono kokoro to katachi. Dai 3-shū, Gense kara jōdo e = Japan spirit and form. 3, The discovery of the "pure land" (日本その心とかたち. 第3集, 現世から浄土へ)
1989. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD N7350 .N9 1989 vol. 3
Summary: "Representing an extremely rare form of artistic expression, the statue of Kuya in the Kyoto temple Rokuharamitsuji is regarded as a masterpiece of the Kamaukura period. Critic Shuichi Kato sees the statue as the epitome of everyday prayers directed at the Amitabha Buddha. While looking at new forms of sculpture that emerged in Kamakura-preiod Japan, the programme also examines the transcendental values of this turbulent era and how they influenced Japan in future years." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon sono kokoro to katachi. Dai 4-shū, Suiboku, tenchi no shinshō = Japan: spirit and form. 4, Japanese ink painting, a mental image of the world (日本その心とかたち. 第4集, 水墨・天地の心象)
1989. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD N7350 .N9 1989 vol. 4
Summary: "There are parallels between Japanese ink paintings and the Expressionist paintings of early-20th century Europe," claims critic Shuichi Kato, noting that both traditions attach maximum importance to expressing an inner world: the mind. He visits Huabei and Jiangnan, the cradle of Chinese ink painting and western Germany, the artistic homeland of Kandinsky, searching for similarities and differences in the traditional cultures of these places." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon sono kokoro to katachi. Dai 5-shū, Rinpa umi o wataru = Japan: spirit and form. The Rimpa School crosses the ocean (日本その心とかたち. 第5集, 琳派・海を渡る)
1989. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD N7350 .N9 1989 vol. 5
Summary: "It's a little-known fact that works of the Rimpa School, which blossomed under gifted painters like Honami Koetsu, Tawaraya Soatsu, and Ogata Korin, crossed a continent to distant Europe and had a major impact on the art world there. This programme probes the source of the Rimpa School's aesthetic sensibilities and explains its influence on the background of the Art Nouveau movement in late-19th century France." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon sono kokoro to katachi. Dai 6-shū, Chatō, tenohira no naka no uchū = Japan spirit and form. 6, The cosmos in the hand (日本その心とかたち. 第6集, 茶陶・手のひらのなかの宇宙)
1989. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD N7350 .N9 1989 vol. 6
Summary: "The world of chawan, the earthenware cups used in the Japanese tea ceremony, is complex and profound. Chawan are irregularly shaped and feature surfaces with subtly shifting colouration. This programme focuses on Kichizaemon Raku, the 15th-generation master of Raku ware, a ceramic style dating back 400 years to the days of tea master Sen no Rikyu. His crafting of chawan highlights the unique aesthetics of a simple teacup." -- NHK Internationa's catalog.

Nihon sono kokoro to katachi. Dai 7-shū, Ukiyoe no onna tachi = Japan spirit and form. 9, Women in ukiyo-e (日本その心とかたち. 第7集, 浮世絵の女たち)
1989. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD N7350 .N9 1989 vol. 7
Summary: "Japanese ukiyo-e, or woodblock prints, made a tremendous impact on European printers. When ukiyo-e emerged in Japan in the 18th century, practitioners established a unique way of depicting women, utterly different from the way Europeans were presenting women in the Rococo style that was flourishing at the time. Why this vast disparity? The programme traces the history of Japanese depictions of women, culminating in ukiyo-e. It explores the mystique of these images and the views of women that underlie them." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon sono kokoro to katachi. Dai 8-shū, Gensō ni asobu = Japan spirit and form. 8, Escape into fantasy (日本その心とかたち. 第8集, 幻想に遊ぶ)
1989. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD N7350 .N9 1989 vol. 8
Summary: "A realm of monstrous creatures and bizarre gore: the latter stages of the Edo period spawned a wealth of artistic fantasy and creativity. High production values together wtih an astonishing range of themes and styles makes these images comparable to other works of art that are widely regarded as worldclass. Why were so many fantastical images producesd in the late Edo period? The programme investigates this fascination with the macabre in Japanese art, and makes comparisons with fantasy works from Western Europe." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon sono kokoro to katachi. Dai 9-shū, Tōkyō, kawariyuku shuto = Japan spirit and form. 9, Tokyo, the changing metropolis (日本その心とかたち. 第9集, 東京・変わり行く首都)
1989. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD N7350 .N9 1989 vol. 9
Summary: "Tokyo changes day by day and moment by moment, at a speed unmatched by any other city in the world. But there is no systematic urban planning guiding Tokyo's growth, so its amoeba-like expansion has turned the city into a tangled maze. This programme illuminates the psychological foundation of the Tokyo mega-city and considers what the future has in store for it." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonbi no reimei kodaijin no inori / Tera to hotoke no hajimari : Hōryūji, Saiin garan (日本美の黎明 古代人の祈り / 寺と仏のはじまり : 法隆寺・西院伽藍)
2005. DVD (ca. 72 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 1
Summary: "Nihonbi no reimei" focuses on art and artifacts from the Jōmon to Yayoi periods such as clay figures, earthenware, old burial mounds and mural paintings. "Tera to hotoke no hajimari" features the Hōryūji temple and explores historical conservation/preservation efforts to maintain one of the oldest wooden structures in the world.

Nihon-bi saihakken. Hayari sutari no tsurezure ni = A modern eye for traditional beauty. Changes in the fashion (日本美再発見. はやりすたりの徒然に)
1995. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD TS1406.I8 N54 1995
Summary: "Yuzen-zome is a dyeing technique in which artists draw patterns directly on white kimono silk. These patterns, whose motifs are taken from the natural world, are renowned for their beautiful colours and skilful rendering. This programme shows the artists at work, together with the final processing and washing. It is interspersed with dramatic reconstructions illustrating the story of the movement of yuzen-zome from Kyoto to Kaga." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon-bi saihakken. Kashō-tachi no fuyu = A modern eye for traditional beauty. Winter of 'Kasho' master (日本美再発見. 菓匠たちの冬)
1995. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD TX783 .N54 1995
Summary: "Kyo-gashi, or Japanese-style cakes, have been prized by the people of Kyoto for generations. Kyo-gashi connoisseurs have an eye for beauty as well as a sweet tooth; the cakes are appreciated as much for their distinctive shapes and colors as for their taste. The techniques of making kyo-gashi originated in the 17th century, and are kept alive today by a small number of dedicated chefs. This programme takes as its focus the work of a contemporary confectioner striving for perfection" --- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon-bi saihakken. Monokurōmu no yakudō = A modern eye for traditional beauty. Vivid monochrome (日本美再発見. モノクロームの躍動)
1995. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD ND2462 .N54 1995
Summary: "Japanese ink painting is in one sense simplicity itself--black ink (sumi) on white paper. But in the hands of a maser artist/calliagrapher such as Sakaki Bakuzan, who is featured in this programme, sumi takes on many shades of meaning. As witih the great masters of the past, Bakuzan sees monochrome as a challenge rather than a suggesting colour and mood with understated elegance." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon-bi saihakken. Yume to utsutsu o samayoite : nō, onna-men = A modern eye for traditional beauty. Noh masks beauty transient, beauty eternal : noh the female mask (日本美再発見. 夢と現をさまよいて : 能・女面)
1995. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD PN2924.5.N6 N43 1995
Summary: "Noh is a form of drama dating back to the 14th century in which the actors wear masks. Noh masks, which are highly stylized and never deviate from traditional forms, possess an uncanny power to communicate the whole range of human emotions. The same mask can convey both tenderness and cruelty, courage and cowardice, dream and reality. This programme seeks to reveal the little-known world of Noh in general and the art of mask-making in particular." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihon-bi, saihakken. Zen no naka no shiki = A modern eye for traditional beauty. The kaiseki cuisine of Kyoto (日本美再発見. 膳のなかの四季)
1995. DVD (ca. 30 min.)
Call#: DVD TX724.5.J3 N527 1995

Nihonjin no fūdo sutairu. Donburi : Nihon no fāsuto fūdo = The Japanese table. Donburi (日本人のフードスタイル. どんぶり)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N522 2004
Summary: "A donburi is a deep bowl. The bowl is filled with rice, which is then topped with many types of tasty treats. Change the topping and you change the name of the dish. Slices of delicious beef give you gyudon. Top the rice with a hot fusion of beaten egg, chopped vegetables and chiken pieces and you have oyakodon. Whether at home or in a restaurant, donburi is a test of the chef's skill with the sauces and soups that bring out the characteristic flavour of each donburi bariety. As donburi combines the nation's ubiquitous staple--steamed rice--with fuss-free toppings, it's a genuine made-in-Japan fast food. Crowds of diners fill donburi restaurants, attracted as much by the low price as the great taste." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no fūdo sutairu. Kome = The Japanese table. Rice (日本人のフードスタイル. 米)
2002. DVD (ca. 20min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N523 2002
Summary: "A rice paddy is not only highly productive but also supports a symbiosis between humans and nature. Rice from the paddy provides the foundation upon which a typical Japanese meal of soup and three other dishes is based. It is not only low in calories but provides all the nutrients that the body needs. This programme presents the essence of rice culture in the rice paddy as well as on the Japanese table, and today's rice culture as exemplified by the riceball market over which Japanese convenience store chains are competing." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no fūdo sutairu. Misoshiru = The Japanese table. Miso soup (日本人のフードスタイル. みそ汁)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N524 2002
Summary: "Along with steamed rice, miso soup is indispensable for a Japanese meal. Miso soup exemplifies the collected wisdom of 2,000 years, the wisdom of the art of fermentation that is supported by a warm and humid climate and the wisdom of transforming soybeans into products that combine well with rice. Both miso and katsuobushi, or dried bonito that is used for soup stock, are products of the art of fermentation. Time and the work of microorganisms produce a scent and taste which no science can analyse. Soybeans are also used to make soup ingredients such as tofu and aburaage (deep fried tofu). Miso soup is a delicious harmony of vegetables, mushrooms, fish, shellfish and meat. The programme exlores the wisdom packed in a bowl of soup." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no fūdo sutairu. Nabe = The Japanese table. Nabe (日本人のフードスタイル. なべ)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N525 2004
Summary: "A Japanese stew is a culinary cornucopia built on a solid flavor foundation of soy sauce or salt. That big ceramic pot steaming invitingly in the middle of the table may contain potatoes, all kinds of vegetables, and any of various fish or meat delicacies. People all over Japan love gathering around a nabe stewpot. As the ingredients change, so does the name. As the number of diners increses, so does the size of the pot. A family happily fishing for tasty nabe items was once a common scene in a typical Japanese home, but these days stew-seeking families and company colleagues tend to go to restaurants instead. Once th nabe arrives, the conversation flows and bonds are strenthened. In some locations, large numbers of poeple will gather to share a feast from a cauldron!" -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no fūdo sutairu. Rāmen = The Japanese table. Ramen (日本人のフードスタイル. ラーメン)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N526 2004
Summary: "To make ramen, Chinese-style wheat noodles are boiled, then put in a bowl with a tasty soup and eaten with various delicious toppings. The soup may be flavoured with soy sauce, miso or salt. The toppings may include chopped leeks, bamboo, slices of roast pork and boiled egg. The way the noodles are made and boiled, the soup ingredients and the selected toppings--each factor makes a big impact on the overall taste experience. At popular restaurants, customers may have to queue for an hour before being served. Ramen is now a quintessentially Japanese dish whose preparation method and taste have changed greatly from the time when Chinese noodles first insipired a Japanese chef to make his own version. Instant ramen has become a global hit; just add boiling water and wait three minutes. In any form or combination, ramen is the most popular dishes among all age groups in Japan.

Nihonjin no fūdo sutairu. Soba = The Japanese table. Soba (日本人のフードスタイル. そば)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N527 2004
Summary: "Buckwheat (soba) has been cultivated in Japan since ancient times, especially in areas where the soil is too poor to support the production of rice. At first, soba noodles are made from buckwheat flour, which is kneaded and rolled out, then chopped into strands. After being boiled briefly, the noodles may be served with various seasonings, soups and sauces, some with a soy-sauce base. Soba is one of the simplest of all Japanese dishes. Different methods of making the flour and of kneading the dough change the flavour of this delicate food. Nowadays soba is among the nation's best-loved dishes. In Japanese cities, office workers often seek out a bowl of soba at lunchtime." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no fūdo sutairu. Sukiyaki = The Japanese table. Sukiyaki (日本人のフードスタイル. すき焼き)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N5273 2002
Summary: "Historically, Japanese people were not meat-eaters. During the Meiji era, the habit of eating beef was introduced to Japan by Western people. Japanese people seasoned beef with soy sauce and sukiyaki was born. Like miso, soy sauce is created by a fermentation process that is nurtured by the Japanese climate. Just mixing all the ingredients will not make soy sauce; it results from the work of a number of microorganisms that scientific analysis cannot identify. This uniquely flavoured seasoning became familiar to Western people and led to the populartity of both sukiyaki and teriyaki. Marbled beef is one of Japan's favourite foods and quite different from preferred cuts in other countries. As opposed to traditional soup-and-three-dish meals, Japanese peopel developed a liking for the rich taste of fatty beef. The programme shows a Japanese way to eat beef that is dramatically different from other types of Japanese cooking." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no fūdo sutairu. Sushi = The Japanese table. Sushi (日本人のフードスタイル. すし)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N5275 2002
Summary: "Sushi is the most well-known Japanese food. Kaitenzushi (self-service convey or belt sushi) restaurants are found in most of the major cities in the world, and take-out sushi packs are sold in supermarkets. But what Western people recognise as sushi, including rice rolls, is only a small part of sushi culture. There are many kinds of sushi in japan such as oshizushi (pressed sushi), homemade sushi for special occasions and sushi served at expensive restaurants where prices are not listed in the menu. Sushi was invented to preserve fish through the termentation of rice. At the end of the Edo period about 140 years ago, people started to blend vinegar with cooked rice, and combined this vinegar rice with fresh fish and shellfish. Kaitenzushi is one of Japan's greatest inventions of the 20th century along with the Walkman, TV games and karaoke. To serve good sushi at a low price, there is hot competition to improve distribution, freezing technology, etc. The programme shows the world of sushi and its evolution in Japan and worldwide." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no fūdo sutairu. Tenpura = The Japanese table. Tempura (日本人のフードスタイル. 天ぷら)
2002. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N528 2002
Summary: "'What shall we eat for lunch today, Thai or Italian?' Japan has eagerly adopted foreign cuisine but these foreign dishes are modified to suit the Japanese palate, and are refined and developed in unique ways. Tempura is recognized as a Japanese food, but it was not Japanese in origin. The roots of tempura lie in a cooking method that was brought to Japan by Portuguese priests. The technique was adapted and developed to become the present tempura that is served with a soy flavoured dipping sauce, by showing the art of a professional tempura cook who makes delicate adjustments to oil temperature and cooking time according to the materials being cooked, the programme presents Japan's talent for adaptation and refinement." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no fūdo sutairu. Yakitori = The Japanese table. Yakitori (日本人のフードスタイル. やきとり)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N529 2004
Summary: "Pieces of skilfully cut chiken threaded carefully onto a wooden skewer and then grilled, often after being dipped in a delicious soy-based sauce: yakitori is one of Japan's most celebrated original dishes. What really makes yakitori special is that virtually every part of a chiken can be used to make it. Grilling chiken on a stick looks easy, but in fact it requires the very deft culinary skills that are so characteristic of Japanese cuisine. The best yakitori is a product of expert grilling and excellent sauce. Although yakitori is one of the most popular dishes in Japan, it's rarely made at home; people prefer to have an experienced chef make it for them. Restaurants range from the very affordable and casual eateries favored by homeward-bound office workers to luxury establishments showcasing the skills of yakitori maestros." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no kurashi. Ima ni nokoru dentō no waza = Japanese lifestyles today. Tokyo's traditional skills (日本人のくらし. 今に残る伝統の技)
2001. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TT106.T6 M54 2001
Summary: "Tokyo is a very modern city in many ways, but in the Asakusa area many traditional crafts from the past are still handed down from generation to generation, including the making of wind-bells and battledores, and Japanese towel printing. This programme focuses on the superb skills of these artisans and their unique spirit of craftsmanship." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no kurashi. Kyūjitsu wa hongyō no komezukuri = Japanese lifestyles today. Weekend farmers (日本人のくらし. 休日は本業の米作り)
2001. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD SB191.R5 N54 2001
Summary: "80% of Japan's rice-producing farm households do not depend entirely on farming for a livelihood. The head of the household does other work during the week and only farms on weekends, leaving all the weekday farming activities to his wife and parents. This has become possible as a result of the modernisation of rice cultivation." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nihonjin no kurashi. Nihonjin no shokuseikatsu = Japanese lifestyles today. Foods and meals (日本人のくらし. 日本人の食生活)
2001. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TX360.J3 N53 2001
Summary: "What do the Japanese eat at home? What sort of utensils do they use? How do they eat? The Japanese diet is, of course, traditionally based on rice, but Western style food culture has taken root among the younger generations. This programme visits families of different generations to investigate the surprisingly diverse Japanese dietary life of today." -- NHK International's catalog.

Nikkō nisha ichiji = The grand shrine in Nikko (日光二社一寺)
2000. DVD (ca. 45 min.)
Call#: DVD NA6057.N57 G73 2000
Summary: "The Nikko Grand Shrine was designated as a World Heritage monument in December 1999. The program covers fine examples of the architecture of the religious buildings, which are lavishly adorned with sculptures. At the same time, the program also introduces the working methods of te craftmen, and interviews them about what they think of their involvement in maintaining the historic religious buildings." -- NHK International's online catalog.

Nioitatsu iroka ukiyoe bijin / Hana no Oedo no entāteinā : Hokusai, Hiroshige (においたつ色香 浮世絵美人 / 花のお江戶のエンターテイナー : 北斎・広重)
2005. DVD (ca. 82 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 18
Summary: As the seat of the Tokugawa Shogunate, Edo quickly developed into a premier city of Japan. Being free from traditional culture, Edo nurtured its own unique culture, and ukiyoe became a major source of entertainment in the city. "Nioitatsu iroka" overviews the history of ukiyoe, discussing Hishikawa Moronobu as the founder of ukiyoe, Suzuki Harunobu who produced nishikie (full-color prints) and Torii Kiyonaga's bijinga (pictures of beautiful women). The film also introduces Kitagawa Utamaro, known for his "ōkubi-e (bust depiction)" prints and discusses his penchant for depicting his ideal women with delicate expression. "Hana no Oedo" features Katsushika Hokusai and Andō/Utagawa Hiroshige who added landscape as the subject of ukiyoe prints. Discussions on Hokusai include his use of Western perspective in his landscape prints, his collection of sketches of various subjects titled "Hokusai manga," and his masterpiece, "Fugaku sanjūrokkei (36 views on Mt. Fuji)," which depicts various expressions of Mt. Fuji in different distances, places and seasons. Andō/Utagawa Hiroshige is another great ukiyoe artist whose landscape prints maintain an aura of tranquility and poetic sentiment. The film discusses his techniques, such as composition, gradation of colors and depiction of water, such as rain and wave crest.

Nippon no waza ga mirai o hiraku = Japanese crafts a path to the future (ニッポンの技が未来を拓く)
2003. DVD (ca. 49 min.)
Call#: DVD T173.8 .N54 2003
Summary: "Durable lacquerware, tough handmade paper, ultra sharp 'samurai swords' and durable ceramics are among the traditional Japanese craftwares that are widely appreciated by artists and collectors all over the world for their unique beauty and functionality. But recently, these items, and the processes developed in their production, are attracting a new audience of admirers---the technicians, engineers and designers of the 21st century's most advanced technologies. They way 'Some traditional crafts are pointing us an important new directions. Environmental problems solved with Urushi lacquer. Key materials for the IT age derived from Washi paper making techniques. A new space age material, that reflects the insights of a Japanese pottery expert. Even though they have been around for so long, traditional skills are still not fully understood, and some of their newly discovered secrets are leading us towards a brighter future." -- NHK International's online catalog.

Nō (能)
1999. VHS (45 min.)
Call#: PN2924.5.N6 K23 1999

Nō, Kyogen kanshō nyūmon (能・狂言鑑賞入門)
1980-1989. 6 VHSs
Call#: PN2924.5.N6 N542 1980

Nomura Mansai waga ko o kitaeru kyōgen sandai no hatsubutai = Three generations, one stage : first steps to mastery (野村萬斎わが子を鍛える 狂言三代の初舞台)
2003. DVD (ca. 43 min.)
Call#: DVD PN2924.5.K9 N66 2003
Summary: "Nomura Mansai is a very popular and highly skilled kyogen master in the Izumi style. His eldest son Yuki (3) is about to give his first stage performance. In the Nomura family, the kyogen play Utsubo-zaru is traditionally performed at 3 years of age. From father to son, son to grandson, we examine three generations of the Nomura family as they pass down time-honoured techniques in a changing world." -- NHK International's catalog.

Okinawa "kumiodori" seishun-fu = Kumiodori the Musical drama of Okinawa (沖縄"組踊"青春譜)
2002. DVD (ca. 53 min.)
Call#: DVD PN2925.O4 K86 2002

Otona no shiken. Bijutsu tōken tōshō = We're the professionals! Swordsmith (オトナの試験. 美術刀剣刀匠)
2001. DVD (ca. 10 min.)
Call#: DVD HD2346.J3 O862 2001
Summary: "A blacksmith who specialises in creating Japanese swords is called swordsmith. Renowned as the most beautiful swords in the world, Japanese swords today are no longer part of the history of weapons, but are regarded as art forms. As objects of steel craftwork, their traditional beauty continues to be passed on today. There are approximately 200 swordsmiths in all of Japan. Kunihira Kawachi, who runs his own workshop in Yoshinomura village in Nara Prefecture, and who is devoted to the study and restoration of ancient Japanese swords, is Japan's foremost swordsmith. Four apprentices are studying sword making at Kawachi's workshop. Munehisa Fujita, the oldest apprentice, takes the certificate programme sponsored by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. Upon successful completion of the programme, a person is recognised of forging the rough-shaped bar into the basic shape of a sword-perfectly straight with no distortions-and then, after numerous finely tuned processes, the Japanese sword is complete. The people who make these magnificent items are not only preserving traditional skills, but are also passing down to future generations the art appreciation embodied in the Japanese sword, of the Japanese people." -- NHK International's catalog.

Otona no shiken. Kawarabuki ginōshi = We're the professionals! Tile roofing expert (オトナの試験. かわらぶき技能士)
2001. DVD (ca. 10 min.)
Call#: DVD HD2346.J3 O863 2001
Summary: "Tiles are resistant to wind and rain, and hold up well to heat. They prevent indoor heat from escaping, and are a superior construction material. On the downside, if they are poorly installed they can lead to leaks and can be blown off in windstorms, in the field of roofing tiles, where are high level of skill is expected, a mere one-millimetre gap between tiles is unacceptable. The extraordinary skills of Imai, who has Tile Roofing Expert Level One certification, are observed together with his young apprentice who is attempting to tile a roof for the first time, uder Imai's direction." -- NHK International's catalog.

Otona no shiken. Sakan ginōshi = We're the professionals! Plasterer (オトナの試験. 左官技能士)
2001. DVD (ca. 10 min.)
Call#: DVD HD2346.J3 O864 2001
Summary: "It is the job of a plasterer to build up walls of Japanese buildings using a trowel. At a glance, plastering walls with stucco appears to be a simple job, but it isn't until ten or twenty years after a wall is well constructed that its true value can be appreciated. That is because only then can the differences in the wall's durability or lifespan become apparent. Using his skills and a trowel given to him by his former supervisor, thirty-year veteran Asahara restores the walls of many of Kyoto's cultural heritage properties." -- NHK International's catalog.

Otona no shiken. Sekizai sekō ginōshi = We're the professionals! Stone carving expert (オトナの試験. 石材施工技能士)
2002. DVD (ca. 10 min.)
Call#: DVD HD2346.J3 O865 2002
Summary: "Okazaki City of Aichi Prefecture is one of Japan's leading regions for processing objects made of stone. Takenari Kusuna, who holds Level 1 Stone Carver Certification, is a stone carving expert, who has been practising in this field for the past 45 years. He is especially skilled in carving stone lanterns. Kusuna gives Koichi Uchiyama, who works under him, the task of making the base for a stone lantern. Advanced skills are necessary to carry out the carving of the base's three-dimensional curved surface. First the shape is roughed in, then Indian ink is used to paint on lines. Compared to Uchiyama's distorted lines, the master's line is a beautiful curve. In the same way a tree has tree rings, the crystallisation of stone particles gives a stone its grain. Kusuna applies his chisel to the stone after ascertaining the direction that the stone will break most easily, so he is able to carve the hard stone at will. 'I want to develop the skills of the craftsmen I work with here and become the type of artisan who creates with perfection.' These are the words of the young worker, Uchiyama, as his training coutines." -- NHK International's catalog.

Otona no shiken. Tatami seisaku ginōshi = We're the professionals! Tatami manufacturer (オトナの試験. 畳製作技能士)
2001. DVD (ca. 10 min.)
Call#: DVD HD2346.J3 O866 2001
Summary: "This episode introduces the occupation of a tatami manufacturer, and the qualifications required." -- NHK International's catalog.

Otona no shiken. Tobi ginōshi = We're the professionals! High-rise construction worker (オトナの試験. とび技能士)
2002. DVD (ca. 10 min.)
Call#: DVD HD2346.J3 O867 2002
Summary: "With high-rise buildings, no matter how mechanised the construcion site, moving and assembling the steel framework requires the skill and experience of high-rise construction workers. Standing atop scaffolding high above the ground, they must grab onto a framework lifted by cranes, and bolt it to posts and girders. Because it could lead to problems in the later steps of construction, the framework cannot be out of line by even one centimetre. Using nothing but the naked eye, Yuji Fukami, who holds Level One High-rise Construction Worker certification, is able to detect when posts or girders are off, right down to the millimetre. In order to ensure that this dangerous job can be carried out safely, special equipment is required, consisting of a safety belt, safety footwear, riding pants, and so on. Fukami claims, 'Half of a high-rise construction worker's job is safety-related.' The pursuit of precision and maintenance of safety: neither of these can be compromised. His skills and enthusiasm are introduced in this show." -- NHK International's catalog.

Otona no shiken. Zōen ginōshi = We're the professionals! Gardener (オトナの試験. 造園技能士)
2001. DVD (ca. 10 min.)
Call#: DVD HD2346.J3 O869 2001
Summary: "To make trees, stones, water, and other natural elements come to life in a stunning man-made sight within a residential space, gardeners not only need a great deal of knowledge about plants, but also the ability to design and a vivid imagination. Through Hayashi, a veteran gardener working in Aichi Prefecture's Inazawa City, one of Japan's leading garden-plant producing areas, and Grade Twelve student Nagai, who is trying for his Level 3 exam, we are introduced to one aspect of Japanese beauty; the realm of Japanese gardens." -- NHK International's catalog.

Purojekuto X chōsensha tachi = Project X : challengers (プロジェクトX 挑戦者たち)
2001-. 78 DVDs. Region code 2
Summary: Multi-part documentary TV series that tells the stories of relatively unknown persons and organizations who made important contributions to the development of post-war Japan, especially in the area of technological innovations.

Rinpa no bi Kōetsu, Sōtatsu, Kōrin, Kenzan (琳派の美 光悦・宗達・光琳・乾山)
2005. DVD (ca. 81 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 15
Summary: "Rinpa no bi" discusses Rinpa (Rimpa), a school of painting started around 1600, and its associated artists. The founder of the school Tawaraya Sōtatsu headed a workshop which produced paintings on screens, fans, writing papers, etc. He worked with Honʼami Kōetsu, a multi-talented artist who also acted as an art director. Sōtatsu's style was revived by Ogata Kōrin in the 18th century, then by Sakai Hōitsu in the 19th century. Rinpa's painting style influenced other arts, such as ceramics and lacquer work. Rinpa artists embodied the classical Japanese sense of decoration and often took Japanese medieval literature and nature as the subject of their works. "Edo kōki no kaiga" features several different styles of painting developed in the late Edo period. "Bunjinga" was strongly influenced by the Chinese paintings produced by scholar-amateur (bunjin) artists. Ike no Taiga, Yosa Buson, Uragami Gyokudō and Tanomura Chikuden are introduced as famous artists of this style. Bunjinga artists stress subjective expression and attempted to stand aloof from the world. On the other hand, Maruyama Ōkyo stressed observation and pursued realism in his paintings. His style is called "Maruyama-ha," from which "Shijō-ha" is later developed. "Bunjinga" and "Shijō Maruyama-ha" become two major styles of painting in the late Edo period. "Kisō-ha" is the antithesis of realism; Itō Jakuchū created dazzling pictures in which realism and fantasy coexisted, Soga Shōhaku expressed radicalism and decadence, and Nagasawa Rosetsu left "Maruyama-ha" and drew free and eccentric paintings. The film also introduces Tani Bunchō, a bunjinga artist who was influenced by Western art, and his disciple Watanabe Kazan.

Sadako = Sadako's story (サダコ)
2000. DVD (ca. 74 min.)
Call#: DVD D767.25.H6 S233 2000
Summary: Sadako Sasaki was exposed to radiation in the atomic bombing at the age of 2, and she died 10 years later. The Children's Peace Monument was created to commemorate the death of her and other children who died of atomic-bomb-related-diseases. This documentary traces the globalization of the story of Sadako and the peace movement.

Sennen no dōgu o mamoritai = Craft tool crisis (千年の道具を守りたい)
2003. DVD (ca. 49 min.)
Call#: DVD NK9900.7.J32 W35 2003
Summary: "In 2001, for the first time since the Second World War, the Cultural Affairs agency assembled in one volume a report on all the tools and raw materials on which Japan's traditional crafts depend. It warned that the tools and materials that have underpinned nearly 1,000 years of handicraft skills in Japan are gradually vanishing. Among them, one has been singled out to symbolise the plight of all: Wajima lacquer. Wajima lacquer is a high-quality lacquerware thought to have originated about 500 years ago. From the plain wood item and the base coat to the top coat, gold inlay and gold relief-work or maki-e, there are 124 processes involved in producing a single piece. Each process is carried out by specialised craftspeople using unique tools passed down for generations. But many of these tools are now being lost. The tool that Wajima lacquer artisans are most concerned about is a special brush made from the fur of a type of mouse that lives in Ashibe, near Lake Biwa. The brush is used for maki-e, whose fine, graceful lines set against the black lackquered surface are essential to the allure of Wajima lacquer. But this mouse-fur brush has been impossible to obtain for more than a decade. As the programme follows the desperate efforts of artisans to rediscover and revive lost tools, the crisis enfolding Japan's diverse commnuities of traditional craftspeople becomes apparent." -- NHK International's catalog.

Shin Nippon shokunin retsuden. Waza o kikai ni utsushi toru : kinzoku zairyō seizō Fukuda Takeshi = New artisans of Japan. The artisan in the machine : Takeshi Fukuda : maker of metal materials (新ニッポン職人列伝. 技を機械に写しとる : 金属材料製造 福田健)
2000. DVD (ca. 44 min.)
Call#: DVD T173.8 .S52 2000
Summary: "At the cutting edge of electronics technology, Japan's traditional gold-foil craft lives on. Takeshi Fukuda, 61, is the president of a company that specialises in manufacturing metal foils and powders needed for making microchips. Fukuda reveals how traditional skills can survive in a high-tech era." -- NHK International's catalog.

Shintō no zōkei kamigami no ibuki (神道の造形 神々の息吹)
2005. DVD (ca. 83 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 6
Summary: "Shintō no zōkei" introduces famous Shintō shrines: Ise Jingū, Izumo Taisha, Munakata Taisha, Kasuga Taisha and Usa Jingū. The shrine buildings in Ise were traditionally rebuilt every twenty years and this practice continues today. The style of architecture in Izumo Taisha shows the earlier design of shrine architecture. The treasures stored at Munakata Shrine or unearthed from the grounds were brought from overseas, showing the exchanges between ancient Japan and Asian Continent. "Jōdo dōkei" focuses on the splendid sculptures, artifacts and paintings stored at Byōdōin Temple, Jōruriji and Sanzenʼin, all of which express the yearning for the Pure Land. Hōōdō (the Phoenix Hall) in Byōdōin is its only remaining original building. It was constructed in 1053. Hōōdō houses the statue of Amida Nyorai (Amitābha), executed by Jōchō who used the yosegi technique. Jōruriji's main hall houses nine scupltures of Amida Nyorai which express the nine different ways of going to the Pure Land.

Shiro to chashitsu jōkaku goten to sukiya kenchiku (城と茶室 城郭御殿と数奇屋建築)
2005. DVD (ca. 73 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 13
Summary: "Shiro to chashitsu" discusses the various architectural styles of the Azuchi-Momoyama period during which the pursuit of splendor and pursuit of simplicity coexisted. Magnificient catsles were built as the symbols of the fortune and power of the warlords. The interiors of temples were richly decorated with standing screens, sliding doors, ceiling paintings and engravings. In contrast, building small but stylish tea houses to express austere refinement also became popular in this period. "Kenran taru reibyō" features Nikkō Tōshōgū, a Shintō shrine dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa Shognate. The shrine is fully ornamented by paintings of Kanō Tanyū and other Kanō School artists and intricate carvings of holy animals and colorful human characters by famous artisans. Bruno Taut's criticism on Tōshōgū once negatively set its architectural value as vulgar, but now Tōshōgū's beautiful, energetic designs are regarded as Japanese baroque. The film also introduces Taiyūin, the shrine dedicated to the third shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu.

Sho no sekai sanpitsu, sanseki, kana (書の世界 三筆・三蹟・かな)
2005. DVD (ca. 79 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 11
Summary: "Sho no sekai" traces the history of calligraphy in Japan from the 5th century, discussing the different styles of the handwriting of Shōtoku Taishi, letters by Kūkai, and works by other famous calligraphers from the Heian to the Edo period. The film also explains the history of kana, the unique syllabic writing systems which developed in the 11th to 12th centuries. "Butsuzō no hensen" overviews the changes of the designs of Buddhist sculptures from the Asuka period to the Kamakura period. The sculptures created in the earlier period show influences from China and Korea; and during the Nara period, the sculptures show realistic expression. During the Heian period, the sculptures developed styles unique to Japan, as exemplified in the work of Jōchō. The design of Buddhist sculptures reached its heyday in the Kamakura period; the big statues of Niō at Tōdaiji reflect the taste of warrior class. The film also discusses the Edo period's travelling ascetic Buddhists such as Enkū and Mokujiki Myōman, both of whom made wood-carving sculptures for ordinary people.

Shokuninwaza ga kiete yuku machikōba ga sasaeta haiteku Nihon = The network founders : high-tech from Japan's small town factories (職人技が消えてゆく 町工場が支えたハイテク日本)
1997. DVD (ca. 49 min.)
Call#: DVD HD2346.J3 S56 1997
Summary: "Renowned for its world-class tradesmen, the Kojiya district of Ota-ku in Tokyo once boasted more than 1,000 small factories. Many opened to meet the special demands for equipment created by the Korean War, and thereafter thrived by making vital contributions to Japan's increasingly high-tech industries. Until now the key to the success of the Kojiya district has been the exchange of ideas and intelligence between the factories and their newteork of highly skilled tradesmen, who are specialists in such precision manufacturing fields as screw cutting, welding and grinding. But as Japan has begun to move away from heavy industry, today in Kojiya one factory in five has disappeared. As Japnese consumers become more interested in disposable products, those factories that remain must come to terms with the new philosophy "half the cost, half the life" or face oblivion." -- NHK International's catalog.

Suibokuga no sekai Chūgoku, Sō-Genga to Sesshū (水墨画の世界 中国・宋元画と雪舟)
2005. DVD (ca. 81 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 12
Summary: "Suibokuga no sekai" features ink paintings, a technique developed in China during the Song and Yuan Dynasties. Japanese ink paintings were created by Zen Buddhist priests, and this film features Sesshū and his landscapes. "Gense no sōgon" discusses Japanese paintings from the Azuchi-Momoyama to the Edo period. Kanō Eitoku was one of the most prominent painters who served for Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Thanks to him, the Kanō School became the most powerful art circle until the Edo period. Hasegawa Tōhaku, who left the Kanō School, founded the Hasegawa School and started a rivalry with Kanō Eitoku and his school. Eitoku and Tōhaku remained competitor until Eitokus' death, whereupon Tōhaku gained a powereful patron in Hideoyoshi. The film introduces looks at screens and sliding doors created by Eitoku and Tōhaku.

Ten ni mukatte gasshō suru Okuhida Shirakawagō = Marvellous rethatching of a traditional Japanese roof (天に向かって合掌する 奥飛驒白川鄉)
1982. DVD (ca. 50 min.)
Call#: DVD NA7452.G6 T46 2008
Summary: "This film takes place in Oku-Hida, where gassho-zukuri can be seen. This is a type of domestic architecture, a wooden house with a huge steep-sloping roof. Every 50 years, more than 200 volunteers from the village work to rethatch the large 300 square metre roof with an incline of 60 degrees. They do not use any machines or nails, and although none of them are professional, they know what to do from their long experience. This programme introduces the process of roof rethatching and the local culture of this mountain area." -- NHK International's catalog.

Tenpyō no iraka Tōshōdaiji / Nanto rokumei : Aoni yoshi Nara no teradera (天平の甍 唐招提寺 / 南都鹿鳴 : 青丹よし奈良の寺々)
2005. DVD (ca. 66 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 4
Summary: "Tenpyō no iraka" features Tōshōdaiji, founded by Ganjin, a Chinese monk who helped to propagate Buddhism in Japan. Its main hall called "Kondō (the Golden Hall)" is the only remaining original main hall built in the Nara period (710-784), though it was repaired in the Edo period (1600-1868). The sculptures of Tōshōdaiji show the transition from the end of Nara period to the early Heian period. "Nanto rokumei" overviews several temples and their artifacts. Kōfukuji's famous sculptures of "Hachibushū (the Devas of the Eight Classes)" have survived many fires; Hōkōji (known as Asukadera) is the the oldest temple in Japan; Shinʼyakushiji has the sculptures of Yakushi nyorai (Bhaiṣajyaguru) and jūni shinshō (Twelve Heavenly Generals). Taimadera is famous for its three-story pagodas, which have stood since the temple was built, as well as the collection of Taima mandara. It is also known for the statue of Miroku (Maitreya), considered the oldest statue of Miroku in Japan. Hokkeji's Jūichimen kannon (Avalokiteśvara) probably dates from the ninth century while Shōrinji's is thought to have been sculpted around 770.

Tenpyō no makuake Tōdaiji, Hokkedō / Tenpyō no hana : Tōdaiji, daibutsu kaigen (天平の幕開け 東大寺・法華堂 / 天平の華 : 東大寺・大仏開眼)
2005. DVD (ca. 76 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 3
Summary: "Tenpyō no makuake" features Hokkedō (also known as Sangatsudō) at Tōdaiji. The film introduces the origin of Hokkedō and its unique structure. Most of the sculptures in Hokkedō were produced during the Tenpyō period (729-749) and show the strong influence of Tang Dynasty art, as exemplified in the Four Warrior Demigods. "Tenpyō no hana" features Buddhist arts of the Tenpyō period, including the bronze sculpture of Vairocana (Buddhist deity) known as "Nara no Daibutsu (the Great Buddha at Nara). The film also visits the Shōsōin, which stores artifacts produced in the Tenpyō period and items originating from the Asian continent and beyond.

Togitatsu no utare (研辰の討たれ)
2004. DVD (112 min.) All region
Call#: DVD PN2924.5.K3 T64 2004
Summary: First staged in 1925, this version has been updated by noted director Noda Hideki. A comic drama, inspired by a real life event from 1827, this piece takes the age-old theme of samurai honor and revenge presenting it in a refreshingly modern light with touches of irony.

Umi o watatta Nihon no bi Japonisumu (海を渡った日本の美 ジャポニスム)
2005. DVD (ca. 84 min.) Region code 2
Call#: DVD N7350 .N495 2005 vol. 20
Summary: "Umi o watatta Nihon no bi" discusses Japanese art and artifacts exported to Europe, which inspired the artistic style known as Japonism. The film specifically features Emile Gallé and Gustav Klimt. "Meiji no roman" focuses on architectural developments in the early Meiji period. The new mode of design was a fusion of Japanese, Chinese and Western styles, called "Giyōfū architecture (mimicked Western-style architecture)." The film also features architects who introduced Western style architecture to Japan: Josiah Conder and his disciples, Tatsuno Kingo and Katayama Tōkuma.

Wa no kurashi. Hana to kurasu = Japan's everyday harmony. Flowers (和のくらし. 花とくらす)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD SB450 .W36 2004
Summary: "The people of Japan have always been attuned to the changing seasons, incorporating natural elements into their lives. Ikebana, the art of flower arrangement, typifies this trait. This programme presents the Japanese affinity for seasonal blossoms and the unique way flowers are enjoyed in Japan." -- NHK International's catalog.

Wa no kurashi. Kami o ikasu = Japan's everyday harmony. Paper (和のくらし. 紙を生かす)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD TS1130 .W36 2004
Summary: "For a Japanese person, there are two types of paper: Western and Japanese. Japanese paper, or washi, has long graced life in Japan with its beauty. This programme presents the work of papermakers who are applying cutting-edge papermaking technology to create a new craft of washi as part of an exploration of the deep affinity Japanese people feel for paper." -- NHK International's catalog.

Wa no kurashi. Ki o ikasu = Japan's everyday harmony. Wood (和のくらし. 木を生かす)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD NA4110 .W36 2004
Summary: "Japan is blessed with one of the world's greatest varieties of tree species. Exploring the properties of various types of wood and methods of earthquake-resistant building were developed in Japan. This programme presents the techniques of craftsmen with complete mastery of wood and introduces a way of life founded on making full use of wood." -- NHK International's catalog.

Wa no kurashi. Kūkan o ikasu = Japan's everyday harmony. Space (和のくらし. 空間を生かす)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD HF5415.6 .B47 2002
Summary: "A traditional Japanese-style room, or washitsu, can be used for sleeping, entertainting, guests, or dining. The laying out of futons is just one example of how the commitment to the principles "nothing fixed" and "nothing fancy" enables the space to be adapted to any use. This programme gives an overview of how the washitsu makes use of space." -- NHK International's catalog.

Wa no kurashi. Oto o tanoshimu = Japan's everyday harmony. Sound (和のくらし. 音をたのしむ)
2004. DVD (ca. 20 min.)
Call#: DVD QH510.5 .W36 2004
Summary: "Japanese have long evinced a sensitivity to sounds wafting in from out-of-doors, whether of nature or of human activity. The sound of wind in a stand of bamboo, of temple bells pealing, the chirping of insects in the autumn, the wind chimes that make a breath of breeze seem more cooling, the ingenious echoing 'water harp'.... This programme shows how Japan's people appreciate and cultivate pleasant sounds in their environment." -- NHK International's catalog.

Yoshitsune senbonzakura (義経千本桜)
2004. DVD (99 min) All region
Call#: DVD PN2924.5.K3 Y674 2004
Summary: Kawatsura Hōgen yakata no ba -- Okuniwa no ba -- Zaōdōhanayagura no ba