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The Art Of Japanese Life

Season 1
In recent times, Japan has been at the forefront of technology and has developed into a global powerhouse. But for centuries it lived in deliberate isolation with little known about its culture or people. Art historian Dr James Fox delves into the art of Japan, revealing its mysterious origins and exploring the links between culture, the countryside, urban landscapes and religion.
20173 episodes
13+
Free trial of BBC Select

Episodes

  1. S1 E1 - Nature
    June 11, 2017
    49min
    TV-G
    Japanese culture and the natural environment have always been intrinsically linked. Dr James Fox journeys through Japan's mountainous forests, glorious Zen gardens and encounters centuries-old bonsai to explore these connections. Traveling around the country's stunning geography, he examines how two great religions, Shinto and Buddhism, helped shape a creative response to nature.
    Free trial of BBC Select
  2. S1 E2 - Cities
    June 18, 2017
    49min
    13+
    The artistic life of three great Japanese cities shaped the country's attitudes and helped forge the very idea of Japan itself. Visiting Kyoto, Edo and Tokyo, Dr James Fox reveals how the flowering of classical culture produced many great treasures of Japanese art. These include everything from The Tale of Genji, considered the first novel ever, to the world-famous animation house Studio Ghibli.
    Free trial of BBC Select
  3. S1 E3 - Home
    June 25, 2017
    49min
    TV-G
    The minimalism of the Japanese home has been exported around the world, from modernist architecture to lifestyle stores like Muji. But its origins evolved from a system of spiritual and philosophical values, dating back centuries. Dr James Fox explores the art of the Japanese home, visiting one of Japan's last surviving traditional wooden villages and learning the importance of calligraphy.
    Free trial of BBC Select

Details

More info

Content advisory
Nudityviolencesmokingsexual content
Audio languages
English
Subtitles
English [CC]
Directors
Ben Harding
Producers
Richard Bright
Studio
BBC Studios
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