Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire
Commanding shoguns and fierce samurai warriors, exotic geisha and exquisite artisans - all were part of a Japanese renaissance between the 16th and 19th centuries when Japan went from chaos and violence to a land of ritual refinement and peace. But stability came at a price: for nearly 250 years, Japan was a land closed to the Western world, ruled by the shogun under his absolute power and control. Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire brings to life the unknown story of a mysterious empire, its relationship with the West, and the forging of a nation that would emerge as one of the most important countries in the world. (from pbs.org)
| Episode 1 - The Way of the Samurai |
Episode 1 - The Way of the Samurai
Tokugawa Ieyasu unifies Japan and establishes a dynasty that will rule Japan for over 250 years.
Episode 2 - The Will of the Shogun
The grandson of Ieyasu, Tokugawa Iemitsu, tightens control over Japan's warlords and expels all foreigners.
Episode 3 - The Return of the Barbarians
Isolated from the West, 18th century Edo flourishes culturally and economically, becoming one of the liveliest cities in the world. But foreign forces are coming.
| Related Links |
| Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire Discover the Tokugawa Shogunate, an empire concealed from the western world for over 250 years. It is a story of peace through enforced isolation that enabled feudal Japan to flourish in a period of renaissance and development. |
| History of Japan - wikipedia The history of Japan encompasses the history of the islands of Japan and the Japanese people, spanning the ancient history of the region to the modern history of Japan as a nation state. |
| Ancient Warriors - The Samurai In 1160 Japan's two greatest clans fought a war of annihilation. The way of the Samurai was a path of honour or death, a strict code of unswerving loyalty. |
| Japan: Earth's Enchanted Islands This is a three-part BBC documentary series narrated by Michelle Dockery, exploring the landscapes and wildlife of Japan. |