NHK WORLD TV October programme highlights

NHK WORLD TV October programme highlights

NHK WORLD TV October programme highlights

A Maiko’s Coiffure

October 23 Saturday 

1:10 / 7:10 / 13:10 / 19:10

Yamanaka Emiko has been setting hair for maiko in Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district for over half a century. The young women who live and train there think of her as their “Grandma in Kyoto.” The COVID pandemic, however, has upended their way of life. Shows have been cancelled, visitors are scarce, and some maiko have made the difficult decision to give up. Listen to the maiko speak about their struggles with Yamanaka, who—at 92—has a lifetime of wisdom to offer them.

A Four Movement Sonata

October 24 Sunday 

0:10 / 6:10 / 12:10 / 18:10

The Tsugaru Shamisen is a stringed instrument named after the region where it was developed in Aomori Prefecture. As one of the snowiest places in the world, harsh Tsugaru winters are said to have given rise to a unique sound that is both energetic and sorrowful. Through two leading young performers of its repertoire today, explore the history of the region against the delicate and dynamic scenery of Tsugaru, and a captivating soundtrack. An invitation to the fascinating world of Tsugaru Shamisen.

Train Cruise

Saturdays 

2:10 / 9:10 / 17:10 / 21:10

Criss-cross Japan by rail. Enjoy an amazing diversity of nature and scenery across the four seasons, exploring both well-known and hidden Japan.

Japan’s Top Inventions

Saturdays

5:10 / 8:10 / 14:10 / 22:10 

Made in Japan! The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets

[Source: NHK WORLD TV press release]

NHK WORLD programme highlights May

NHK WORLD programme highlights May

NHK WORLD programme highlights May

Until the earthquake and tsunami of 2011, Sato Shinichi made a living at his photo studio in Minamisanriku. When the disaster struck, he evacuated to high ground, carrying an SLR camera. That camera allowed him to document the horror as the tsunami swallowed the town and destroyed lives. Since then, Sato has taken more than 300,000 photos, showing despair, regret, turmoil, and resolve for recovery. Now, he’s focusing on hope for a better future.

Nakamura Tetsu, who devoted his life to assist Afghanistan, was shot to death in December 2019. As a medical doctor, he treated individual patients and built clinics to provide ongoing care to larger numbers of people. He later embarked on projects to enhance irrigation in the dry, war-ridden country. At his side, there were one hundred or so young Japanese who assisted the doctor’s efforts. Some came after suffering setbacks in Japan. Others arrived with a vision of making a difference in the world. In this program, they reflect on how their time with him changed their lives.

 

 

Trails to Oishii Tokyo

Wednesdays

14:30 / 20:30 / 3:30 / 9:30

 

Delicious food from Tokyo’s markets! Learn about the amazing ingredients which are sourced from across Japan and sold at Tokyo’s fresh food markets.

 

Cycle around Japan


Saturdays

2:10 / 9:10 / 17:10 / 21:10

 

Come ride with us! Bicycle through the scenery of Japan, stay with locals and discover hidden traditions in a Japan you didn’t know existed.

[Source: NHK WORLD press release]

NHK WORLD TV programme highlights for March

NHK WORLD TV programme highlights for March

NHK WORLD TV programme highlights for March

Ken Watanabe: The decade since the Great East Japan Earthquake

March 6th

1:10 / 7:10 / 13:10 / 19:10

 

Actor Ken Watanabe started going to meet victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake two months after its occurrence in 2011. Since then, he has listened to the stories of more than 20,000 people. Watanabe has used his stature to bring international attention to the disaster. He also has drawn on personal funds to open a café in Kesennuma. The program returns to four communities seriously affected by the quake—Katsurao (Fukushima), Kesennuma (Miyagi), Rikuzentakata (Iwate), and Kamaishi (Iwate)—and revisits some of Watanabe’s encounters over the past decade.

Kiyo in Kyoto: from the Maiko House

March 24th

23:30 / 5:30 / 12:30 / 17:30

Teenage Kiyo and her childhood friend Sumire have come to Kyoto far away from their hometown, dreaming to become maiko (professional female entertainers especially skilled in traditional performing arts such as dance and music).However, after an unexpected turn of events, Kiyo starts working as a live-in cook at a place called “Maiko House”, where maiko live together like a family. Sumire, on the other hand, strives toward her promising future as “the one-in-a-century maiko”. Their story unfolds in Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district called Kagai.You will enjoy its gorgeous atmosphere and behind-the-scenes anecdotes as wonderful meals prepared by Kiyo and her kitchen episodes will warm your heart. Stay tuned for this touching story of two childhood friends encouraging each other to grow up together!

The Tale of Granny Mochi: Kuwata Misao

March 14th

1:10 / 7:10 / 13:10 / 19:10

The Tsugaru peninsula lies on the northern part of Japan’s main island, and is home to some of the country’s most untamed landscapes. For more than 30 years, 93-year-old Kuwata Misao has made over 50,000 Sasa-mochi rice cakes every year here, all on her own. She goes into the wilderness to find bamboo leaves, and grows her own azuki beans to ensure the perfect ingredients for her delicious mochi. What is the meaning of work? Of life? Of happiness? Granny Mochi’s quiet, delightful tale warms the heart.

[Source: NHK WORLD TV]

NHK WORLD TV programme highlights for December

NHK WORLD TV programme highlights for December

These are some of the programme highlights of NHK WORLD TV for the month of December:

Baja’s Studio   [December 27]          Dreams are the stock-in-trade of KOHATA Anime Studio. The people of this fictional facility take care of Baja, a creature that looks something like a hamster. One evening, when Baja peeks outside, he sees a cat attacking his friend, a duck. Baja embarks on a mysterious nighttime mission, hoping to rescue his companion.  Directed by Ichiro Miyoshi , Animation: Kyoto Animation

ABU TV Song Festival in Tokyo [Part 1: December 29; Part 2: December 30]        Top musicians from 11 countries and regions presented a multi-cultural extravaganza at the 8th “ABU TV Song Festival” of Asia and the Pacific. Shingo Murakami, the MC of “SONGS OF TOKYO,” hosts the performance. Hey! Say! JUMP and Joe Hisaishi, both from Japan, join artists from other places, including A. R. Rahman, Na Ying and TWICE. Tune in for a tuneful tour of this part of the world.

Home Sweet Tokyo, Season 3 [Saturdays in December]          Still just a few months into their move to Tokyo, life is hectic as ever for Bryan and the Matsuyama-Jenkins family! “Home Sweet Tokyo Season 3” takes the family from bizarre Japanese business meetings and British tea parties, to peaceful rural rice fields and summer festivals, as Bryan & Itsuki, together with their daughter Alice and her traditional grandfather Tsuneo, work together to adjust to their new life in Tokyo.

Somewhere Street  [Sundays]                A unique walking-eye view of cities around the globe! Chat to the locals and enjoy encounters that only strolling the streets can bring.

[Source: NHK WORLD TV press release]

NHK World programme highlights

NHK World programme highlights

Helping Hands – the Lives of Atomic Bomb Orphans  (September 21)

Some 6,500 children are believed to have lost their parents when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in 1945, Many wandered the streets. Some died of hunger and disease, but others were able to survive thanks to helping hands. A number of Americans backed a movement to support the orphans. In South Korea, poor people helped a parentless child with love, as if they were all family. The programme shows the good will that war could not destroy.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

Future Princes of Ballet   (Part I September 20; Part II September 21)

A teenage boy of Japanese descent is working to make his mark at one of the world’s top ballet schools. Aaron Osawa-Horowitz is studying with legendary dancer Nikolay Tsiskaridze, the rector of the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. Tsiskaridze is known for his strictness, and Osawa-Horowitz hope to rise to the challenge. Tune in to see how he and his classmates cooperate and compete at the graduation performance at Mariinsky Theatre.

(Source: NHK World TV)