15 Minutes - Season 1 / Year 2018
Season 1 / Year 2018
Network
DatesJan 28, 2018 - Dec 26, 2018
Episodes
Year 2018Episode 115 min
RAKUGO NIPPON! - TOYAMA
Do you know "Rakugo"? Along with Kabuki, it's a traditional Japanese entertainment of dexterous and comical storytelling that covers everything from people's everyday lives, customs, food to unique sceneries. On "RAKUGO NIPPON!", we follow the travels of Rakugo performers in the beautiful land of Japan, and discover how they transform their heart-moving experiences into original English Rakugo performances. This episode will follow English Rakugo Performer Kimie Oshima to Toyama Prefecture, where local splendors such as the Winter Yellowtail of Himi and the traditional cast metal crafts of Takaoka await her. Just what kind of original Rakugo will her journey usher? Sit back and enjoy!
Jan 28, 2018
Year 2018Episode 215 min
3-Day Dare*Devils - Behind the Scenes of the Ultimate EKIBEN
Softpomz from Thailand dives into the behind the scenes of the ultimate Ekiben. Will she be able to convey the ekiben staff’s passion to the customers?
Feb 26, 2018
Year 2018Episode 315 min
3-Day Dare*Devils - YUKIGUNI - Deep into Japan's Snowland
Softpomz from Thailand experiences the life in the deep snow of freezing Gokayama, a World Heritage Site where residents spend their winters in snow over 2 meters deep.
Feb 26, 2018
Year 2018Episode 415 min
A*B*C Tours - A Thai Star in Hokkaido Part 1
Thanks to their appearance in hit Asian films, locations throughout Japan are being thrust into the spotlight. Previously unknown to most travelers, these locations are now must-see spots for movie buffs from both in and outside Japan. We visit these new tourist hotspots with the stars of the films that made them famous, hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of those hit movies. Plus, an inside look at what makes each location special, including local places, faces, food, history and more. This time, a winter journey to breathtaking Hokkaido, the setting of hit Thai film One Day, with its star Nittha Jirayungyurn, also known as Mew. First, to a ski resort, where you can enjoy the top-quality snow for close to half the year, and to a romantic spot featured in the film. Other highlights include an ice restaurant where Mew tries a unique dish, a collection of over 25,000 music boxes, a reunion with a shopkeeper Mew met while filming One Day, and a special slow food unique to Hokkaido.
Mar 5, 2018
Year 2018Episode 515 min
A*B*C Tours - A Thai Star in Hokkaido Part 2
This time, we continue our winter journey to Hokkaido, the setting of hit Thai film One Day, with its star Nittha Jirayungyurn, also known as Mew. First, to a hot spring resort with a surprising name where Mew takes in breathtaking views. Next, to Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, where she discovers classic Japanese toys, chomps down on soul food and learns winter survival tips from locals. Finally, to a key location from One Day, a chapel that's a romantic must-see spot for fans of the film.
Mar 5, 2018
Year 2018Episode 615 min
Through the Kitchen Window: Tami Hiyama - Chirashi-Zushi, Home-party Sushi
This program delves into traditional recipes to shine a light on unique food cultures across Japan, and discover the older generation's seasoned philosophies of life. Tami Hiyama, 92 years old, lives alone in Fukuoka City, where she has taught home cooking for more than 60 years. We learn her recipe for "chirashi-zushi," a special kind of sushi eaten at family celebrations. Tami prepares the finest ingredients but she says mindset is just as important -- she cooks the dish imagining those who will soon enjoy it. What does "chirashi-zushi" mean to 92-year-old Tami? We discover her recipes for life and the secrets of her good health.
Mar 21, 2018
Year 2018Episode 715 min
A Treasured Creation: Today's Treasure - Bamboo Basket
This program portrays artisans who make traditional crafts, artistic or industrial products or luxury items. They use what the local climate offers them to create lifestyle products. Our camera will follow them to capture the process of how "Treasured Creations" are made. Our 1st episode will feature a "bamboo basket" made from a special bamboo grown only in the Awa region of Kochi Prefecture on Shikoku. It was originally known as a "tofu basket" and was used to carry tofu home after being bought from a local store. We observe as a bamboo craftsman demonstrates the traditional techniques as he heats to change the color, bends to straighten nature's curves, and weaves bamboo sticks together to transform it into a masterwork of nostalgia.
Mar 21, 2018
Year 2018Episode 815 min
Asia's Appetizing Adventures - Thailand Part 1: Traditional Cuisine of a Border Town
Culinary specialist Kentetsu Koh travels across Asia in search of great home cooking and person-to-person encounters. Join him as he experiences a diversity of tastes and lifestyles throughout the region. In this episode, Kentetsu tries a Thai dish that uses pig's blood, a specialty of Mae Sai, Thailand's northernmost town on the border with Myanmar. He visits the catering shop of a woman he met at the market and watches her cook the stir-fried dish, which includes both the blood and minced pork.
Mar 25, 2018
Year 2018Episode 915 min
Asia's Appetizing Adventures - Thailand Part 2: Traditional Cuisine of a Hill Tribe
Culinary specialist Kentetsu Koh travels across Asia in search of great home cooking and person-to-person encounters. In the Thai town of Mae Ai, near the border with Myanmar, Kentetsu meets a woman of the Lahu ethnic minority and learns about their traditional dishes. He helps make one of them: meatballs flavored with, of all things, tree shavings. Farmers prepare it as an offering during harvest. Then he learns how to make a rice gruel the Lahu people always cook when they welcome guests. He finds out it takes a good bit of time and effort.
Mar 25, 2018
Year 2018Episode 1015 min
Asia's Appetizing Adventures - Taiwan Part 1: A Visit to a Hakka Family
Culinary specialist Kentetsu Koh travels across Asia in search of great home cooking and person-to-person encounters. When Kentetsu explores Taipei, he comes across a fragrant cup of tea. This leads him to a tea farm in an area called Beipu. At the home of a Hakka family, he's treated to a tea called Oriental Beauty. It is grown in a way that allows bugs to sweeten it up by chewing on the leaves. Kentetsu also tries some authentic Hakka dishes made from preserved ingredients such as mustard greens that have been fermented more than 3 months and dried white radish that's been aged 5 years. Join him as he experiences a diversity of tastes and lifestyles.
Mar 31, 2018
Year 2018Episode 1115 min
Asia's Appetizing Adventures - Taiwan Part 2: Orchid Island's Traditions for Catching Flying Fish
Culinary specialist Kentetsu Koh travels across Asia in search of great home cooking and person-to-person encounters. In this episode, Kentetsu goes to Taiwan's Orchid Island, known for its coral reefs. There, he tries the native Tao people's tradition of fishing for flying fish. For the Tao people, the flying fish is sacred. So, they follow strict rules on how to prepare and eat it. Nothing goes to waste. Dried flying fish is first used to make soup. Then, what's left is cooked with fried rice. Kentetsu tastes the dishes with respect and gratitude.
Mar 31, 2018
Year 2018Episode 1215 min
NINJA TRUTH - Episode 1
Ninja are now seen in popular media around the world. But as their profile rises, their reality gets muddied amid legends and fantasies. The truth about authentic ninja lies unknown, shrouded in mystery. This program carefully examines the fighting skills and tools used by actual ninja, and conducts experiments to determine the "Ninja Truth". The ninja had over 400 distinctive tools and weapons to fight with and defend themselves. The most familiar was one called the "kusari-gama", a chain and sickle that could do serious damage to an opponent. But it raises questions about how they used it when fighting, and how they were able to conceal it. The ninja were also ingenious at hiding themselves. We'll do an experiment to see if those hiding techniques really worked, and we'll look at a brand-new technology for hiding people.
Mar 31, 2018
Year 2018Episode 1315 min
NINJA TRUTH - Episode 2
Ninja are now seen in popular media around the world. But as their profile rises, their reality gets muddied amid legends and fantasies. The truth about authentic ninja lies unknown, shrouded in mystery. This program carefully examines the fighting skills and tools used by actual ninja, and conducts experiments to determine the "Ninja Truth". The ninja used short swords when faced with imminent danger, such as in enemy territory. We'll see when these were used, and how they differed from warrior's katana swords. Also, ancient ninja literature describes a water-crossing device known as "mizugumo". We'll do an experiment, constructing "mizugumo" exactly as described, to see if it really worked. And we'll get a ninja expert's opinions about how it could be improved today, and try that too! Join us to see the results!
Mar 31, 2018
Year 2018Episode 1415 min
Close to ART - 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa
The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa was built on an idea that the museum should be like a neighborhood park open for everyone. Many up-and-coming artists offer their talents for creating works that bridge tradition and modernity, which match the city with a 400-year history of bringing and fostering new culture. You will also enjoy the charm of the ancient city, Kanazawa, which did not suffer war damage and maintains its traditional townscape.
Mar 31, 2018
Year 2018Episode 1515 min
Through the Kitchen Window: Akemi and Satsuki - Shojin Ryori, Buddhist Cuisine
Oct 24, 2018
Year 2018Episode 1615 min
Close to ART: The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama
Nov 14, 2018
Year 2018Episode 1715 min
A Treasured Creation: Today's Treasure - Kyoto Wire Weaving
Nov 14, 2018
Year 2018Episode 1815 min
Close to ART: Aomori Museum of Art
Nov 21, 2018
Year 2018Episode 1915 min
Close to ART: The Japan Folk Crafts Museum
Dec 12, 2018
Year 2018Episode 2015 min
NINJA TRUTH Episode 3: Shuriken
The ninja employed over 400 special weapons and tools to accomplish their missions, and the shuriken is undoubtedly one of the most famous. In this episode, we'll examine not just how the shuriken was thrown, but ninja techniques for throwing it with a string attached, and using it defensively. The ninja also devised various throwing techniques such as "yoko-uchi," "hon-uchi," and "gyaku-uchi." We'll use cutting-edge science to examine their uses, and use the shuriken to draw closer to the ninja truth.
Dec 19, 2018
Year 2018Episode 2115 min
NINJA TRUTH Episode 4: Ninja Yashiki
The ninja were often given the important mission of infiltrating enemy territory and bringing back key information. Meanwhile, their own residences were cleverly rigged to thwart intruders and hide the information they'd acquired. In this episode, we'll examine the secrets of their residences, including trap doors, lookout posts, sword compartments, and hanging ladders, using action-packed reenactments. We'll also examine the psychological effect of these residences.
Dec 26, 2018
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