Japanology Plus · SEASON 3
Bladed Tools
Episode 10 · 2016-04-21

- Documentary
- Talk
Episode overview
In this edition of of Japanology Plus, host Peter Barakan pays a visit to the city of Sakai, which is part of Osaka Prefecture in Western Japan. Sakai has been known for bladesmithing since the Muromachi period (1333–1568), The emergence of sushi as the fast food of the age called for a range of knives for street-side vendors. The bonsai tradition, meanwhile, spawned a range of delicate shears and squeeze-scissors, a genre of tool that was also turned to the shaping of wagashi confections for the tea ceremony, and the fashion and beauty needs of an increasingly style-conscious populace. Indeed, this is the area of Japanese bladesmithing that continues to evolve.
28 minutes
Season 3 episodes
1. Japanophiles: Maud Archambault2016-01-07
2. Silk2016-01-14
3. Underground Tokyo2016-01-28
4. Earthquake Preparedness2016-02-11
5. Japanophiles: Jorge Cabeza Fernandez2016-02-25
6. Japanophiles: Pico Iyer2016-03-03
7. Okinawan Dance2016-03-17
8. Whisky2016-04-07
9. Quest for Perfect Skin2016-04-14
10. Bladed Tools2016-04-21
11. Family Crests2016-05-05
12. Breakfast2016-05-12
13. Footwear2016-05-19
14. Running2016-06-02
15. Emoji2016-06-16
16. Ekiben2016-06-23
17. Bicycles2016-06-30
18. Kimono2016-07-07
19. Kokeshi Dolls2016-07-28
20. Shinise: Long-Established Businesses2016-08-04
21. Japanophiles: Rezaul Karim Chowdhury2016-08-11
22. Toilets2016-08-18
23. Bridges2016-08-25
24. A Nation of Singers2016-09-01
25. Restoring Castles2016-09-08
26. Volcanoes2016-09-29
27. School Club Activites2016-10-06
28. Smells2016-10-13
29. Paper2016-10-20
30. Japanophiles: Paul Lorimer2016-11-03
31. Katsuobushi2016-12-01
32. Day Care for Kids2016-12-08
33. Sweets and Snacks2016-12-15
34. Hairdressing2016-12-22