Journeys in Japan · SEASON 16
Gunma: Raking in Good Luck
Episode 6 · 2025-03-18
- Documentary
Episode overview
For centuries, Daruma dolls have been popular in Japan as talismans to bring good fortune. The largest producer of Daruma dolls in Japan is Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, where there are about 40 workshops. The nearby city of Kiryu has a different good-luck charm: decorated rakes that are sold at fairs. A famous local specialty is Himokawa udon: the noodles are cut extra-long and wide as a wish for longevity. Euan Craig is an Australian potter and longtime Gunma resident. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, he digs deep into the history and culture of these talismans and meets some of the people who produce them.
28 minutes
Season 16 episodes
1. The Mountain Spirit of Shiiba Village2025-02-04
2. Kyushu: Land of Samurai Swords2025-02-18
3. Enku's 120,000 Smiles Over Gifu2025-02-25
4. Hokuriku 1: Foods and Flavors of the Trading Ships2025-03-04
5. Hokuriku 2: The Golden Age of the Trading Ships and Their Legacy2025-03-11
6. Gunma: Raking in Good Luck2025-03-18
7. Hida: Deep Winter Escape2025-03-25
8. Hokkaido Sapporo: Sensing the City Through Its Architecture2025-04-01
9. NIIGATA: SNOW COUNTRY WONDERLAND2025-04-15
10. Wakayama: The Cradle of Japan's Flavors2025-05-13
11. Kure Port, Kochi — The Lure of Katsuo2025-05-27
12. Izu Peninsula: Volcanic Beauty2025-06-10
13. Nagaoka: Water, the Wellspring of Abundance2025-06-24
14. Matagi: Yamagata’s Spiritual Hunter-Gatherers2025-07-01
15. Nishio: Whisking up the Global Matcha Boom2025-07-08
16. Tochigi: Life Away from the Sea2025-07-22
17. Okinawa: A World in Bloom2025-08-05
18. With Isabella Bird — Part 6: On the Road to Biratori2025-08-12
19. SHAKOTAN: Out of the Blue, Into the Flames2025-08-19
20. The Ontake Kodo Path to Sacred Peak2025-09-16
21. Mishima: Festival Rhythms Run Deep2025-09-30
22. Higashikawa: Picture-Perfect Town2025-10-14
23. Kochi Shimanto River: Pristine Water and Premium Fishing2025-10-28
24. Discovering Japan's Hidden Christians2025-11-18
25. Hiking the San'in Coast: Tottori2025-11-25
26. Unearthing a Love for Seto2025-12-16
27. SHIMANE: In Search of Izumo's Gardens Past and Present2025-12-23
