Begin Japanology

The culture and business of used books has been important in Japan since around the 17th century. Today, the Jimbocho neighborhood of Tokyo has some 160 book dealers, many of them specialists, with a combined stock of 10 million volumes. Mass-market retailers that have simple systems for buying and selling used books are also part of the industry. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is used books. We'll see how Japan's used book business has evolved in its own fascinating way.

Japan has various traditional wind instruments. Among the most familiar of them is the shakuhachi, which is essentially a hollowed-out length of bamboo. The sounds of the shakuhachi - reminiscent of such natural sounds as the wind through the trees, birdsong and the chirping of insects - have captivated the hearts of music lovers the world over. But in modern Japan the number of shakuhachi players is decreasing, and ingenious efforts are being made to keep the tradition going.

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Many of Japan's mountain communities suffer from aging, shrinking populations. Karl Bengs is a German who moved 20 years ago to one such community, Takedokoro. Bengs is an architectural designer who specializes in renovating old Japanese houses. He has rebuilt several homes in Takedokoro so far, attracting new residents and breathing fresh life into the village.

In Japan, summertime is beer time. The Japanese like smooth, ice-cold beer that really hits the spot as you gulp it down. Beer came to Japan from the Netherlands in the 18th century. As the country modernized, beer gradually put down roots in Japanese life. It became the after-work drink of choice for the corporate warriors who supported Japan's post-war economic growth. But in recent years, beer consumption has dropped, and brewers are trying to engineer a revival in the drink's popularity.

Japan's biggest lake: Lake Biwa. It is 4 million years old, a source of water for 14 million people, and home to over 10 aquatic creatures that are only found there. Lake Biwa contains rare freshwater pearls, its scenic landscape has captivated artists for centuries, and it also has spiritual significance. The lake's ecosystem has been threatened by water pollution and the introduction of invasive species, but locals have come up with some creative ideas to reclaim the environment.

Japan is the world's calculator superpower. Rivalries between Japanese companies to make calculators ever slimmer, lighter and cheaper eventually propelled Japan to the top, and Japanese manufacturers have led sales of calculators for over 30 years in many countries. Before the calculator came along, Japanese people did arithmetic on the abacus, and then used hand-cranked calculating machines. Even now, in the age of PCs and tablets, calculators are still essential in accounting jobs.

Pro wrestling battles take place every evening in rings across Japan-over 150 pro wrestling events are held every month. Japanese pro wrestling was launched by the popularity of one wrestler: Rikidozan. 60 years ago, he drove the Japanese people wild, lifting the country's spirits after its demoralizing defeat in the Second World War. The Japanese have been hooked on this thrilling form of entertainment ever since. There are many "student pro wrestlers" in universities across Japan. Every March, they take part in an intense "Student Pro Wrestling Summit." There is currently a large number of pro wrestling organizations in Japan, each with its own niche. But some of these organizations struggle to make ends meet, and some wrestlers now also work outside the ring. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is pro wrestling. We'll explore the appeal of this popular entertainment, which blurs the line between fantasy and reality.

Pine trees grow all around Japan, and make essential contributions to the Japanese way of life. From pine trees come gourmet matsutake mushrooms and fine calligraphy ink. Since pines can grow in harsh conditions, they are frequently used as windbreaks for homes. Pine trees are also symbols of longevity and abundance. They are often called the "luckiest" tree in Japan. Unfortunately, pine trees have recently come under attack from a damaging pest that eats away their resin ducts. The search for ways to protect the pines is going on in various parts of Japan. In one city on Japan's northeastern coast, the tsunami that struck on March 11, 2011, swept away a historic pine grove...except for one single tree. This lone pine became a symbol of hope for the survivors of the disaster. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is pine trees. They provide a window on Japanese lifestyles and ideas of beauty.

Japanese stationery goods are popular all over the world. Most stationery goods used today are originally Western in origin, but Japanese companies have continued to churn out new and improved versions. The ballpoint pen, for example, first came to Japan along with post-WWII US occupation forces, but in the decades that followed the Japanese pioneered water-based ink, erasable ink, gel ballpoints, and ballpoints that can write even when facing upwards. One stationery fad sweeping Japan right now is "girls' stationery": cute, stylish products, like decorative masking tape, that appeal to female consumers. Some Japanese people use pens in a way that has nothing to do with writing: they spin them! A man known as the "father of pen spinning" gave a previously informal pastime a formal public identity. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is stationery. We'll explore the technology, design appeal, and sense of fun in Japanese stationery goods.

Of the world's many household appliances, one stands out as a Japanese original: the electric rice cooker. Before electric appliances came along, rice was cooked in wood-fired clay stoves, but in the late 1950s and early '60s, rice cookers became explosively popular in Japan. These days, virtually every Japanese household has one, and Japan also exports about 400,000 rice cookers each year. The Japanese just love freshly steamed rice. That craving drove the evolution of the rice cooker into a high-tech appliance with a host of functions. Rice cookers can do more than just cook rice. Homemakers have begun using them to put together amazing dishes. The latest rice cookers are even being used to bake cakes. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is rice cookers. We'll investigate the challenges that were overcome in developing them, and the creativity that the Japanese have lavished on making and using them.

Japan today is home to 4.17 million cattle. 2.7 million are classified as beef cattle, and two-thirds of these are classified as wagyu. There are 4 unique Japanese wagyu breeds, which were created by crossbreeding older Japanese breeds with larger foreign ones. Wagyu is known for its distinctive web of marbling. This tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef can be enjoyed in many ways, including sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and as steak. Every 5 years, a competition known as the Wagyu Olympics is held to find out which Japanese prefecture breeds the finest wagyu cattle. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is wagyu. We'll reveal the relationship the Japanese have with cows by looking at how this world-famous beef is produced.

The flowers of the ume plum are a harbinger of spring. While the winter chill still lingers in Japan, the blossoming of the ume plum is a sign that spring is on the way. At this time of year, famous plum-viewing spots around Japan attract lots of visitors. The ume plum originally comes from China. It is said to have been brought to Japan about 2,000 years ago, along with rice agriculture. The fruit of the ume plum has long been used as food, flavoring, and medicine. And its charming flowers are so loved in Japan that they have been widely employed as a motif in confections, kimono, and crafts. Recently, a number of new businesses based on ume have also blossomed. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is ume plums. We will explore the charms of a tree that has figured prominently in Japanese culture for countless generations.

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Originally from Germany, Ernst Seiler, who has been living in Japan for decades, is a professional pianist and a proponent of a self-sufficient lifestyle. Seiler met his wife Kazuko when she was studying in Europe, and eventually they settled in the Goma district of Kyoto, where they live in an old country home and perform as a piano duo. Their concerts in a converted Zen temple hall have drawn a running total of more than 70,000 people. Seiler's rediscovery of many forgotten piano-duo pieces has established him as a world leader in this genre. Seiler is also a dedicated farmer who grows rice and many vegetables. He shares the bounty of the land with friends, acquaintances, and members of the audience. Today, we get a glimpse of life in the Kyoto countryside in the company of Ernst Seiler, a piano player and teacher with a deep love of the land.

From electronics to motor vehicles, Japanese industrial products are renowned for their high performance. And they wouldn't be possible without the "small factories" that make the parts. About 90% of all factories in Japan today have no more than 30 employees. These small factories are treasure troves of technical know-how. A single steel bar is all a machinist needs to shape parts for a rocket. Other experts use their sense of touch to machine metal to within hundredths of a millimeter. In 2009, many small factories worked together to launch a small satellite called Maido-1. In the midst of a tough recession, it was built to be a beacon of hope. Now, a separate group of small factories has pooled its technical know-how to develop an underwater survey device that can dive to 8,000 meters. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is small factories. By exploring them, we will gain insights into Japanese manufacturing expertise.

Bathroom scales are a part of everyday life in Japan. Men, women, babies, and children all use them. There are even scales specially designed to weigh your pets. In samurai times, accurate scales were made by artisans who specialized in fine work, like comb-makers and engravers. A relentless quest for ever more accurate weight measurements was behind a shift from analog scales with springs and needles to digital scales. But today's scales measure more than just weight. They can collect information on various aspects of your health. Thanks to dogged data-gathering efforts by researchers, these high-tech scales can quickly measure body fat percentage or basal metabolic rate. Meanwhile, research is now underway into making accurate body weight measurements in space. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is bathroom scales. By looking at bathroom scales in Japan, we'll take the measure of how Japanese lifestyles and ideas about health have changed over the years.

In summer and winter, seasonal gifts are sent to friends. At the New Year, young people receive envelopes with money inside. These are just some of the occasions throughout the year when the Japanese exchange gifts. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is gift-giving, which oils the wheels of social interaction in Japan. From traditional customs to the latest trends, we'll look at Japan's unique and diverse gift-giving culture.

Scissors were first created in Europe and reached Japan in the 6th century. Japan has scissors for making kimonos and for preparing sweets. It has pruning shears that make a distinctive clack and scissors that help the world's hairstylists snip with style. Japan also makes fabric shears forged like samurai swords. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is scissors, an everyday tool that offers insights into Japanese culture.

About 5,000 species of mushroom can be found in Japan, a quarter of the world's known species. The matsutake is the gold standard of edible mushrooms. And whether it's a broth of shimeji mushroom, or tempura-fried hen-of-the-woods, mushrooms are a quintessential autumn food in Japan, and have been for centuries. There are also some very rare mushrooms, like the caterpillar fungus - which grows on insects and which has been used medicinally since ancient times - or the glow-in-the-dark mushrooms of Hachijojima. In recent years, Japan has seen a decline in the number of wild mushrooms. Intense efforts have been made to revive matsutake harvests. Some efforts to stimulate mushroom growth are even using artificial lightning strikes - quite a shocking idea! On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is mushrooms. We'll see how Japan's climate and culture have made it the nation that eats a wider variety of fungi than any other.

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, taros, yams - these are just some of Japan's imo, a word that describes starchy vegetables with enlarged underground roots and stems. Sweet potatoes saved countless lives during the great famines of the samurai era and the food shortages of the Second World War. Konjac is a food with a unique appeal. It has practically no nutrients or calories, and little flavor, but its unique texture is widely enjoyed in Japan. It also, believe it or not, played a role in a Japanese wartime plan to terrorize the United States with fire balloons. Japanese mountain yams are prized for their viscous texture, and some people trek through the woods in search of the very largest ones. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is potatoes, taros, and yams. By exploring this wide variety of tubers, we will dig deep into a rich Japanese culinary tradition.

Tokyo Skytree, completed this year, rises 634 meters. The world's tallest broadcasting tower, it's packed with the finest in Japanese engineering. Its steel framework was assembled with millimeter precision from sections lifted to dizzying heights. Special construction methods were needed to cope with the wind. And Japan is an earthquake-prone country, so Skytree has the latest seismic defenses, including one inspired by pagodas. The construction company that built Skytree commissioned an architectural photographer to record the building process. He was the only photographer permitted on the construction site, and the 40,000 photographs he took are an epic chronicle of this once-in-a-lifetime building project. Tokyo Skytree sits in an old-fashioned part of Tokyo with a tradition of small manufacturing enterprises. But now, an entirely new venture is emerging. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is Tokyo Skytree. This is part of our special Tokyo trilogy.

The abalone is a shellfish found along Japan's rocky coastline. Abalone have shallow, spiral shells that look like dishes, and they have been treasured by the Japanese since ancient times. Abalone is delicious raw, boiled, or grilled. Dried abalone in particular is a fine delicacy, and it was once such an important export to China that the shoguns outlawed its consumption within Japan. Abalone have long been considered auspicious. They are an essential part of sacred Shinto offerings on festive occasions. Centuries ago, samurai ate abalone before heading off to battle. In the late 19th century, Japanese entrepreneurs brought abalone cuisine to the world. And today, methods to increase abalone production are being tried out in many parts of Japan. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is abalone. We'll trace the long history of this shellfish in Japan and what it tells us about Japanese culture and cuisine.

The shamisen is a traditional three-stringed Japanese musical instrument. Its unique sound has been enjoyed in Japan for centuries. When you play the shamisen, you strike the body along with the strings. The strings and body vibrating together create a distinctive tone. The history of the shamisen goes back about 500 years. It has long given traditional performing arts, like Kabuki and Bunraku, a lively musical accompaniment. In recent years, many children have begun taking shamisen lessons, and some musicians are adapting the shamisen to modern musical genres like rock and punk. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at the shamisen and what this traditional instrument reveals about Japanese musical tastes.

Just about everyone in Japan knows Dave Spector. It's been almost 30 years since this American first appeared on Japanese television. He currently makes more than 10 TV appearances a week, sharing the latest gossip and video clips from overseas. He has also helped introduce Japanese television and culture to the West. Spector grew up in Chicago, where he began learning Japanese as a child, largely on his own. He memorized 30 words every day and eventually mastered the language. Spector's rapid-fire Japanese wordplay has been his trademark on Japanese television. Spector also has 420,000 followers on Twitter, where he posts several jokes a day. In the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake, he began focusing his jokes on the disaster, making people smile in difficult times. Dave Spector, a man who has bridged the worlds of Japanese and American television. We'll discover what makes Japanese broadcasting so unique through his eyes.

Today, there are about 400 planetariums in Japan. That's the second largest number in the world, after the US. The world's largest planetarium, with a dome 35 meters across, is in Nagoya. Japanese people have long enjoyed the starry skies, on occasions such as moon-viewing parties and the annual star festival. And a recent assortment of astronomical phenomena viewable from Japan, including a solar eclipse this May, has helped drive a stargazing boom. These days, you can enjoy the planetarium experience not only in specialized facilities but also at cafes and even a Buddhist temple! Cutting-edge Japanese-made optical projectors have captured over 70 percent of the global market. They are typically made by large manufacturers, but one Japanese man single-handedly changed this high-tech industry. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is planetariums. We'll bring you the latest on efforts in Japan to recreate the starry sky in greater detail than ever before.

Mosses are some of the most primitive terrestrial plants. They have no roots - only leaves and stems. But moss is deeply embedded in the Japanese way of life. You'll even find the word for moss in the Japanese national anthem. It is an essential element of bonsai and of Japanese-style landscape gardens. One temple garden was originally designed as a large bed of white gravel. But war and natural disaster left it in ruins. The garden was neglected for centuries and became overgrown with moss. It took on a new kind of beauty and is one of the most famous and beloved gardens in Japan today. Moss is the home of tiny forest creatures. Water bears and trapdoor spiders are just two of the fascinating creatures that rely on moss. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at moss - its remarkable ecology and some of the uniquely Japanese ways of enjoying it.

Various sweets first came to Japan from the West, but the Japanese put their own distinctive stamp on them. Today, this "Western-style confectionery" is an important part of Japanese culinary culture. The first Western confectionery that came to Japan was brought by Christian missionaries from Portugal and Spain in the mid-16th century. In the mid-19th century, after being closed off for centuries, Japan opened to foreign commerce. New confections poured in from the West, and original recipes were adjusted to suit Japanese tastes. In the last 50 years, Western-style Japanese confections have earned popularity and acclaim in the West, and Japanese chefs have won top prizes in the world's most prestigious confectionery competitions. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at Japan's own brand of Western-style confectionery and what it reveals about Japanese culture.

The kimono is the traditional costume of Japan. Yet even the most sumptuous kimono is constructed quite simply: just a few strips of fabric sewn together. With their wide variety of seasonal designs, kimonos reflect Japan's rich natural beauty. And the obi - the sash - makes a kimono even more gorgeous. Typically more than three meters long, the obi is tied in a beautiful and often elaborate knot. The origin of the kimono as we know it today is an undergarment worn by ancient Japanese nobles. Later, during the days of the samurai, authorities tried to ban extravagant kimonos; they unwittingly inspired a kimono fashion revolution. In the early 20th century, mass-produced kimonos with bold new designs appeared. They look fresh even today and are now enjoying popularity with a new generation of young women. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at kimonos, which fully embody the Japanese sense of beauty.

When you think of regional Japanese food with a long history, you might think high prices and refined presentation. But Japanese "regional fast food" is unique and inexpensive everyday fare, and it is now more popular than ever. Regional fast food is often called "local gourmet" or "B-grade gourmet." Most of these dishes were created between the 1950s and the 1970s, during Japan's post-WWII resurgence. In the 1990s, as the Internet became widespread, regional cuisines began attracting nationwide attention. In recent years, regional fast food has even launched the revival of towns and cities. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is regional fast food. We'll look at casual local dishes from around Japan and at the culture that created them.

In Japan, stress is a part of life. Giving and receiving massages, particularly shoulder massages, is a Japanese institution. And over the last several decades, the massage chair has become an equally important part of Japanese life. The world's first massage chair was invented in Osaka in 1950. Its creator was an amateur inventor who wanted his frail daughter to be able to have a shoulder massage, even when he wasn't around. Since then, massage chair technology has come a long way. The latest models can massage the whole body, and they use technologies like computers, optic sensors, and pneumatic pumps. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is massage chairs. We look at their state-of-the-art Japanese engineering and their little-known history.

Wild vegetables have long been served at the Japanese dining table. With their great variety and low calorie count, they have recently become popular as health foods. But they also play important roles in long-established annual and seasonal rituals. In the 18th century, during a period of famine, one feudal lord realized that although crops were not sprouting, wild vegetables were. He commissioned a guidebook that gave people life-saving advice on how to gather and eat plants found in the wild. Wild vegetables don't only grow in the wilderness; some people enjoy gathering them in urban areas. There are even schools that share traditional knowledge about wild vegetables with their students. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is wild vegetables. We'll see how Japan's food culture has embraced what nature has to offer.

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Sake is an alcoholic drink brewed from rice and water. It is quintessentially Japanese, but with its rich flavor, refined over centuries, it has recently achieved worldwide popularity. Brewers create sake's characteristic flavor using traditional techniques that date back to the 1600s. The master brewer is the boss of a brewery, and Philip Harper is the only foreign master sake brewer in all of Japan. Harper was born in 1966 in England. At the age of 22, while teaching English in Japan, he drank a glass of sake that changed his life. He has now been involved in sake brewing for over two decades. Harper's prize-winning sake is known for its fruity bouquets and for how it captures the sweetness of rice. Harper uses every ounce of his skill to make the sake he sees in his mind's eye a reality. His quest is to produce the ultimate Japanese sake.

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Noh theater is one of Japan's great traditional performing arts. Today's Japanophile is Richard Emmert, an American Noh actor. Emmert has lived in Japan for 39 years, and Noh has been his overriding passion. He himself says that he is "married to Noh." Emmert first became interested in Noh theater as an undergraduate in the States. He took a seminar about Noh and ended up playing the lead in a production put on by the instructor. Now a professor of the performing arts in Japan, Emmert has written books about Noh, led international Noh workshops, and even directed English-language Noh plays. He's actually working on one now about Elvis Presley! Drawing on his boundless love of Noh, Richard Emmert offers fascinating insights into this unique and profound art form.

Forests have covered Japan since ancient times, and today they make up about 70% of the country's land area. Forests have long been vital to the Japanese way of life. Even the center of Tokyo has a large and famous man-made forest! It was created almost 100 years ago, meticulously designed and planted to keep itself going just like a natural forest. For centuries in Japan, cutting down trees has led to environmental degradation and even natural disaster. But the Japanese have always responded with passionate efforts to save and revive their forests. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is woods and forests. By exploring the long relationship between the Japanese and their forests, and their efforts to protect them, we'll discover how the Japanese think about nature.

Ikebana: the traditional Japanese art of flower arranging. Each elegant arrangement is made with seasonal flowers and plants cut to perfection. The idea of using flowers as decoration first came to Japan 1,500 years ago, along with Buddhism. Flower arrangements were given as offerings to the Buddha, and Buddhist priests formalized the techniques that would become known as ikebana. In time, flower arranging became deeply rooted in Japanese life. Today, Japan has more than 2,000 schools of ikebana. Inside the home, people arrange flowers in ways that embody the changing seasons. Ikebana has a saying: "The flowers are your soul." Like other traditional Japanese arts, ikebana attaches great importance to formal etiquette and self-reflection. But that doesn't mean modern ikebana artists aren't creating bold new arrangements. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is ikebana. We'll trace ikebana's history and explore the Japanese aesthetic that comes to life in this art form.

People the world over love to enjoy a cup of coffee in a cafe. Japan is no different. Cafes first appeared in Japan in the late 19th century, and they have continued to evolve with changes in society. The country currently has 80,000 cafes and consumes more coffee than either France or Italy! But Japanese cafes don't just serve coffee; many offer a wide range of special themes and extra features - like "cat cafes," where you can enjoy some feline companionship, or "maid cafes," where customers are served and entertained by women in maid outfits. As Japanese society ages, "community cafes" are becoming a vital way for older citizens to find good company. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at cafes. In Japan, they are more than just a place to have a cup of coffee; they are a unique and fascinating world in their own right.

Ekiden is a long-distance relay race. Instead of a baton, a sash is handed off. This sash is the secret to ekiden's widespread appeal in Japan; it is a symbol of perseverance and selfless duty. Ekiden's inventor was Japan's first Olympian. He ran the marathon but passed out before reaching the finish line. This defeat drove him to create an event that could produce world-class Japanese runners. There are various ekiden events, and the most grueling is the Mt. Fuji Ekiden. Teams of six run from the foot of Mt. Fuji to the summit and back down again - in four hours! There are also high school ekiden championships. Forty years ago, one team was on the verge of being disbanded, until an inspiring coach took over and turned them into national champions. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at ekiden - a unique Japanese athletic event that reveals what makes the Japanese tick.

The chicken was long regarded as sacred in Japan. Today, the bird has lost that mystique, but it remains an essential part of Japanese life. The Japanese have produced remarkable breeds of ornamental chickens. Some are admired for their crowing, others for their appearance. One breed has tail feathers that can reach ten meters long! For a long time, chicken was hardly eaten in Japan, but now it's one of the country's most popular foods. Japanese people also love to eat eggs, cooked or raw. Distinguishing the sex of a newborn chick is a difficult task. When the Japanese developed a method of doing so, they amazed the world and transformed the poultry industry. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we'll see what chickens and eggs reveal about Japan's artistic sensibilities and culinary culture.

The red sea bream is one of Japan's favorite fish. People have been eating it since ancient times. Long considered a lucky fish, red sea bream is essential to Japanese festivities and rituals, from New Year's feasts to the ceremonial meal that babies eat on the 100th day after their birth. Historically, red sea bream's popularity really took off when the samurai gained power. Its barbed fins and tough scales evoked samurai armor. Veteran fishermen still catch red sea bream with hand-pulled lines, but actually, 80 percent of the red sea bream consumed in Japan are farm-raised. Farmed red sea bream have long been considered inferior to wild ones. But fish farms have begun breeding sea bream that can hold their own. One key is keeping the fish from getting sunburned! On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is the red sea bream. We'll find out how this fish became so important in Japan's cuisine and culture.

Karaoke is one of Japan's best-known forms of entertainment. You choose your favorite songs and sing along anyway you like. There are two main places to enjoy karaoke in Japan: "snack" bars, where you sing in front of others, and "boxes," where you rent private rooms. Karaoke was invented about 40 years ago as a way to let people indulge their singing fantasies. One creator was a talented bandsman. Together with an engineer friend, he made one of the world's first karaoke machines. Since its invention, karaoke has evolved greatly along with the latest technology: 8-track tapes, LaserDiscs, the Internet. But the making of the videos and music for karaoke has remained in the hands of skilled professionals. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is karaoke. We will bring you the latest developments in Japan and explore the popularity of this extraordinary social phenomenon.

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Noelke Muho is a Zen Buddhist priest from Germany. For nine years, he has been head priest at a temple called Antaiji deep in the mountains of western Japan. Zen is a school of Buddhism centered on zazen - seated meditation. The students who train with Muho practice zazen, but they also clean, prepare meals, and work the land. Muho came to Japan interested in Zen Buddhism. He trained at Antaiji and ultimately became a priest. When Muho's mentor - the head priest of Antaiji - died in an accident, Muho decided to become head priest himself. Antaiji aims to be self-sufficient, but it is certainly not isolated from society. Life there is supported by the local community, and Muho has a wife and two children. We meet Noelke Muho and hear his thoughts about the Zen life.

Japan is a shipbuilding superpower. About one-fifth of all the world's ships are made here. From advanced luxury cruise ships to gigantic oil tankers, cutting-edge technology and traditional knowhow power Japanese shipbuilding. Since ancient times, the Japanese have made distinctive boats suited to the country's climate. This has given rise to unique shipbuilding techniques. In the 1960s, Japan drew global attention as its shipbuilding technology was put to the test. An ambitious project was undertaken to build the world's largest tanker. In recent times, research to make ships more environmentally friendly has resulted in new and innovative "eco-ships." On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is shipbuilding. We'll discover how Japan became and continues to be a global leader in shipbuilding.

Japan gets a lot of rain, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Rain falls year-round in Japan, but differs from season to season. Tokyo gets its fair share of rain, but some areas of Japan receive more than three times as much. Traditionally, the Japanese prayed for rain during times of drought, and found ways to put up with violent downpours. But they also built large reservoirs of water, some of which are over 1,000 years old. Today, Japan's methods of putting up with rain are more sophisticated than ever. In urban areas, giant underground reservoirs have been constructed to help control flooding, and initiatives have welled up to capture and reuse rainwater. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is rain. We examine how rain has shaped Japan's climate, lifestyle, and culture.

From time immemorial, Japan has reaped the bounty of the sea that surrounds it. Fish, yes, but just as important is seaweed. It's an essential part of the Japanese diet. Because seaweed is highly nutritious and low in calories, it is now gaining worldwide popularity as a health food. With its kaleidoscope of colors and shapes, seaweed can also be pressed like flowers. One man's lifelong interest in this pastime even led him to discover a new species! Scientists are also interested. One laboratory has made an anti-aging cream from seaweed, while another is trying to turn seaweed into a new energy source. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is seaweed. We examine the many ways in which it is woven into Japanese life.

In Japan, more and more people are riding bicycles to go shopping, to commute, for exercise, and for leisure. Gunsmiths pioneered bicycle-making techniques in Japan. In the late 19th century, with the samurai era at an end, their profession disappeared. Special techniques they used to make gun barrels strong were also suited to building sturdy bicycle frames. Keirin bicycle racing from Japan became an Olympic event. Behind its rise was a racer of incredible drive who took on the world's best cyclists. Manufacturers churn out a wide variety of bicycles, but at least one rider has dedicated his life to customizing his bicycle with attention-drawing decorations. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is bicycles. We examine their evolution in Japan and look at the unique bicycle culture that has emerged.

Japan is home to over 30,000 insect species, and insects are a familiar part of Japanese life. For centuries, staging battles between insects has been a popular pastime in Japan, and Japanese children love catching insects and keeping them as pets. Different seasons have different insect attractions. Summer nights are associated with the faint glow of fireflies. Autumn is known for beautiful insect sounds. Insects were once an important food source in Japan. It is still possible to find people who go hunting for wasps' nests, as wasp larvae are a traditional delicacy. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is insects. By looking at how they are appreciated and what insect-related customs there are, we examine how the Japanese view and enjoy the natural world.

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. American potter Dorothy Feibleman lives and works in Japan where she creates her works using a traditional Japanese technique called nerikomi. Many of her works are so delicate that light can pass through them, transporting the mind to a world of fantasy. Feibleman first came to Japan in 1993, when she submitted work to a competition in Aichi Prefecture. In 1997, one of her pieces was added to the collection of New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. Today, she lives and works in Tokoname in Aichi Prefecture. Feibleman's translucent porcelain is blazing new trails in the world of ceramics. Adding layers of Western technique to Eastern tradition, Dorothy Feibleman produces a constant stream of unique creations.

This month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Silvain Guignard came to Japan 28 years ago and is now a master of the biwa, the Japanese lute. Today, he performs both in Japan and abroad. He also teaches ancient Japanese music as a professor at a university in Osaka where one of his main goals is to make the subject more accessible to his students. Before coming to Japan, Guignard was already an established Chopin scholar. He was 30 years old when he first encountered the biwa. His switch from Chopin to the biwa occurred in 1983 when he met a musician who would change his life. For 23 years, Guignard studied the biwa under this musician, a Living National Treasure. Nowadays, Guignard's life is deeply embedded in the rhythms of Japanese culture and tradition. His everyday experience of Japan has become indispensable to his performance on the biwa.

Japan is the world's number one consumer of eels, or unagi. Grilled, glazed unagi ranks alongside sushi and tempura as one of the best-known types of Japanese cuisine. It is even reputed to boost stamina. The Japanese have been eating eels for more than 5,000 years. Traditional methods of catching them are still practiced in many regions of Japan. In recent decades, farmed eels have provided most of Japan's unagi supply. Farmed eels are generally considered not as tasty as those caught wild, but some eel farmers have developed unique methods to improve the flavor. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at unagi and how it has provided sustenance in Japan from ancient times to the present.

Japan leads the world in building ever-faster and ever-quieter lifts, or elevators. In 2004, Japan's long history of engineering know-how was used to build the world's fastest elevator in Taipei 101, a 509-meter landmark skyscraper in Taiwan. The elevator travels at up to 60 km/h! At Tokyo's Roppongi Hills, one of Japan's largest multipurpose complexes, elevators serve two floors at once: an even and an odd floor. In other office buildings, cameras and ID cards connected to computers dispatch lifts automatically. Will "space elevators" someday carry people into orbit? The key may be carbon nanotubes, a material that was brought to the forefront of science in Japan. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at the continued evolution of lifts and how they have become an indispensable daily convenience in Japan.

As a child, Maehata studied traditional swimming techniques passed down from the days of the samurai. At 18, competing in the 200 meters breaststroke at the 1932 Summer Olympics, she missed out on gold by one-tenth of a second. Determined to do better, Maehata trained incredibly hard for the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin. On August 11, 1936, Japan's first live international radio broadcast brought the drama of the women's 200-meter breaststroke final to the entire nation. Maehata won. After a long hiatus, she returned to the sport as a teacher to help rebuild Japan's swimming culture. She suffered a stroke in 1983, but characteristically battled back and resumed coaching. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at the life of Hideko Maehata, a woman who captured the imagination of the Japanese public.

Osamu Dazai (1909-48) was one of Japan's preeminent modern novelists. Born in wealthy circumstances that he later rejected, Dazai drew attention as a writer when he was 26 for Flowers of Buffoonery. His life was turbulent and controversial. While still a student, he started living with a geisha. After he married, he kept a mistress. He battled addiction and finally committed suicide. Dazai's books never go out of fashion. Even today, more than 60 years after his death, Dazai continues to be popular among young people. Some of his major works are: No Longer Human; Run, Melos!; Return to Tsugaru; and The Setting Sun. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at the life of Osamu Dazai, a troubled author who nevertheless wrote some of Japan's most enduringly popular literature.

Judo is practiced by around eight million people in 199 countries and regions, making it the most widely played sport that was developed in Japan. Players grapple with each other on a mat and win by pinning an opponent for a certain amount of time or with one of the many throwing techniques. Redirecting an opponent's momentum, players are able to throw people much taller and heavier than themselves with little strength. It's not just about competition. Players don't celebrate victory on the mat. Competition begins and ends with a bow. And an honorable player doesn't take advantage of an opponent's injury. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we explore the deep spirit of judo and its spectacular techniques.

People of all ages have long been drawn to Japan's seas, rivers, and lakes to enjoy fishing. Over the centuries, the Japanese have used great ingenuity to develop unique tackle such as lacquer-coated bamboo fishing rods, handmade fishing hooks, and silk fishing lines. Some people set out to catch the smallest fish they can. Catching tiny fish requires an equally small rod. And small hooks are sharpened to make them even smaller. Lure fishing is increasingly popular in Japan. Exquisite fish-shaped lures with beautiful patterns and meticulously carved scales and gills look just like the real thing. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at fishing and what it reveals about Japan's pursuit of pleasure and perfection.

Cranes have been revered throughout Japan since ancient times. Forming almost inseparable mating pairs, cranes are a symbol of harmonious married life. Crane motifs are widely used on wedding clothing and accessories in Japan. A flock of red-crowned cranes on Japan's northern main island of Hokkaido is one of the world's few non-migrating populations. The red-crowned crane is a rare success story in wildlife protection. However, the increase in crane population in recent years has brought new problems. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at cranes and the longstanding fascination they have held for the people of Japan.

Mochi, a glutinous dough made from steamed rice, is a favorite food among the Japanese. At least two people are required to make mochi the traditional way: a mallet man and a flipper. The movements of the two must be perfectly synchronized, and the best teams can be very interesting to watch. Mochi is used in various ways at the New Year and on important occasions in life. At weddings, the groom may take part in mochi pounding. Its stickiness symbolizes a wish that the couple will enjoy a strong, lasting bond. A soup of mochi, vegetables, meat, and seafood is an essential part of many New Year's meals throughout Japan. The recipes vary not only from region to region, but almost from family to family. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we look at mochi rice cake - a food steeped in history and the Japanese way of life.

Japan's architectural use of wood makes it a country particularly vulnerable to fires.

In Japan, festivals are known as matsuri. Many matsuri are colorful and boisterous occasions. Matsuri are typically associated with a Shinto shrine. Local people gather to pray and give thanks to the enshrined deity for agricultural bounty, health, safety and security. Over the years, these gatherings have evolved into elaborate events that frequently feature dancing, masks and magnificent floats. Entire local communities may be drawn into the preparations for festivals, which have nurtured some of the most refined arts and crafts in Japan. Even the sophisticated Noh theatre has festival origins, and, in some communities, apprentices will spend years learning a craft such as woodcarving specifically for its application in an annual matsuri. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we present some of the most famous festivals in Japan and consider the links to community and culture.

Since ancient times, people in Japan have devoted themselves to the traditional art of calligraphy, shodo. Writing characters with ink on paper, they create works that express the inherent beauty of the Japanese written language. In shodo, brushes are used for applying the ink to the paper. The expressiveness of the characters derives from variations in the speed and force that the calligrapher uses to move the brush. The brushes themselves are simple objects, made from bundles of animal hair or other materials bundled together and fixed to a shaft. The actual materials used will depend on the style of calligraphy that is desired. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, we examine the history, development and contemporary applications of ink brushes, introducing these simple implements that have been so essential to the development of Japanese writing and painting.

This episodes investigates the staple Japanese food, "Sushi" via it's origins and ingredients.

Matcha, the powdered residue of ground green tea leafs, has been a key ingredient in the Japanese tea ceremony for more than a millenium, but nowadays it's also being used in more than just tea.

The first part of two episodes focussing on the ancient Japanese epic that left a huge impact on the cultural history of Japan, "The tale of Genji", written in the Heian period. This part details the author, characters and plot.

During the Japanese summer, fireworks are a daily phenomenon, as such, this episode shows it's origin, production and techniques.

Bamboo, a native Japanese plant of the tree family, has many uses. This episode explores a few, such as tools, decoration and even as food.

The "soroban" (Abacus) - a calculation tool no longer used in the Western world but still a common sight in Japan, where education and businesses use it with great succes.

A look at the phenomenon of dagashi-ya ("thrifty sweetshops") and the role they played in a community and it's growing resurgence in modern society

Kyodo (loosely translatable to "archery") is not so much about hitting the target as it is all about the form, skill and practice of the art.

A short look on the history, present and future of the famous fishmarket in Tsukiji, Tokyo.

About the origins and evolution of the Japanese "boxed lunchset".