Japanology Plus: Season 6
Season 6 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Japanology Plus Season 5.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 6 Progress Shield
Roof Tilers
Jan 8, 2019 · 28 min
If there's one thing that makes Japanese homes immediately identifiable, it's their roofs, or to be more specific, the tiles that make up those roofs. These intricate tiles, which
Japanophiles: Thomas Bertrand
Jan 29, 2019 · 28 min
Thomas Bertrand, from France, is the proprietor of a bento box shop in Kyoto. Bertrand's shop stocks hundreds of designs, in both traditional and modern styles. He ships products t
Hidden Christians: Part 1
Feb 19, 2019 · 28 min
When the West first established trade relations with Japan, one of its major exports, alongside goods, was religion. Brought in by foreign missionaries, Christianity began to catch
Hidden Christians: Part 2
Feb 26, 2019 · 28 min
Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Christianity was banned in Japan. During the ban, believers faced unimaginable persecution. Some, however, held onto their faith and devised wa
Wood: Culture
Mar 5, 2019 · 28 min
70% of Japan's land is covered in forests and woodland. For centuries, wood has been used for furniture, buildings, and tools. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is the cultur
Wood: Carpentry
Mar 12, 2019 · 28 min
70% of Japan is covered in forests. The Japanese have been using wood as a building material for hundreds of years, and the nation is home to the world's oldest wooden structures.
Japanophiles: Oussouby Sacko
Mar 19, 2019 · 28 min
When Oussouby Sacko, from the Republic of Mali in western Africa, arrived in Japan, he knew very little about the language or culture. Nearly three decades later, in April 2018, he
Meat
Mar 26, 2019 · 28 min
Japan offers a huge variety of meat dishes, including sumptuous wagyu beef and casual chicken skewers. But these highlights of Japanese cuisine are recent developments; meat consum
Popular Theater
Apr 2, 2019 · 28 min
"Taishu engeki," or "popular theater," is a fun and engaging form of entertainment that is intended to appeal to everyone. Typical performances are period dramas, telling stories o
Oni: Japanese Ogres
Apr 16, 2019 · 28 min
Oni -- Japanese ogres -- appear to be halfway between humans and beasts, with animal horns and scowling expressions. They come from ancient folklore, but are a big part of modern J
Japanese Dog Breeds
Apr 30, 2019 · 28 min
There are 6 dog breeds native to Japan, including Akita and Shiba Inu. Each has adapted to the region of its origin, but they all have pointy ears, a curved tail, and an unwavering
Japanophiles: Peter MacMillan
May 21, 2019 · 28 min
After studying English literature and philosophy, Peter MacMillan moved from his native Ireland to Japan to become a university lecturer. He wrote the first full English translatio
Konamon: Flour-based Cuisine
Jun 11, 2019 · 28 min
Konamon means "flour-based cuisine," but in Osaka Prefecture the word generally refers to 2 specific dishes: takoyaki (bite-sized batter balls with pieces of octopus inside) and Ok
Frozen Food
Jun 25, 2019 · 28 min
Frozen food exists all over the world, but Japan is at the cutting edge of research and development. Modern products are almost identical to fresh goods both in texture and nutriti
Slippers
Jul 9, 2019 · 28 min
In Japan, people often wear slippers inside their homes, schools or workplaces. It's a well-known custom, but how did it come about, and how is it evolving in modern Japan? This ti
Japanophiles: Ondrej Hybl
Jul 23, 2019 · 28 min
Kyogen is a traditional form of Japanese theater. It's comedy, performed on a bare stage with imaginative movements and dialogue. When Ondrej Hybl, from the Czech Republic, first s
Tokyo: Water
Jul 30, 2019 · 28 min
Tokyo was once known as the "city of water," but many of its rivers and waterways are now hidden from view. This time on Japanology Plus, we look at water in Japan's capital from v
Tokyo: Backstreets and Alleys
Aug 6, 2019 · 28 min
Tokyo is an energetic, bustling metropolis. But take a few steps off the main streets, and it reveals a different side to its character. This time on Japanology Plus, we explore th
Mechanical Dolls
Aug 27, 2019 · 28 min
Karakuri-ningyo, or mechanical dolls, can be regarded as traditional robots. Their technology is not just interesting but actually useful even today. This time on Japanology Plus,
Swords
Sep 10, 2019 · 28 min
In Japan, sword fighting is a common feature of period dramas. But Japanese swords, katana, were more than weapons. They were used in rituals, and held as status symbols. Today, th
Bathrooms
Oct 1, 2019 · 28 min
In Japan, the bath has a special status. And for Japanese, using one is an essential part of daily life. It's not just a place to wash yourself, but a chance to relax, reflect on y
Japanophiles: David Atkinson
Oct 8, 2019 · 28 min
For years, David Atkinson from the United Kingdom worked in Japan as a respected financial analyst. His career took an unexpected turn when he became the CEO of one of the country'
Monkeys
Oct 15, 2019 · 28 min
Japanese macaques, a species of monkey unique to Japan, are a common sight in the country's forests and mountains. Much-loved for their expressive faces, these monkeys are sometime
Banknotes
Nov 5, 2019 · 28 min
Japan's paper money incorporates some of the most advanced security features in the world, including pin-sharp watermarks, and microscopic text. This time on Japanology Plus, our t
Plasterwork
Nov 12, 2019 · 28 min
Plasterwork has been an indispensable feature of Japanese architecture for hundreds of years. You can see it on the walls of castles, storehouses, and everyday homes. Using a humbl
Japanophiles: Wolfgang Loeger
Nov 19, 2019 · 28 min
In 1987, Wolfgang Loeger left his native Austria and came to Japan. After nearly 3 decades as a ski instructor, he moved to Tokyo and became a taxi driver. Foreign taxi drivers are
Insects
Dec 3, 2019 · 28 min
Japan shares a close relationship with the insect kingdom. The lifecycles of different bugs mark the changing of the seasons. People of all ages enjoy collecting them in the wild,
Donburi: Rice Bowls
Dec 10, 2019 · 28 min
"Donburi" is a bowl of rice with various toppings. It's quick, cheap and tasty, making it one of Japan's favorite comfort foods. A huge number of options range from the classic Kat