｜Length : 24min ｜Year : 2020 ｜

The Small Journeys series focuses on the regions of Japan and the lives local people. In this episode we look at the umbrellas of Gifu; traditional craft products that are painstakingly and skillfully made from bamboo and washi paper.

The area surrounding Gifu City has been Japan’s premier umbrella-producing region ever since the Edo Period (1603-1868). After WW2, however, output shrank to a mere fraction of the peak as Western-style umbrellas became popular, and today the traditions are under threat.

Nevertheless, a few individuals continue to sustain Gifu’s craft heritage. One is a 70-year-old man who produces “runners,” the complex wheel-shaped parts connecting spokes to the shaft. He is the only runner artisan in Japan. Another is a woman who specializes in umbrella assembly. Captivated by the beauty of Gifu’s umbrellas, she spent 10 years perfecting her craft while overcoming opposition from traditionalists. She hopes to keep the tradition alive, to pass on to her young son’s generation and beyond. The Umbrellas of Gifu is a moving story of superlative craftsmanship and deep pride in local traditions.

｜Length : 29 ｜Year : 2019 ｜

colors mark each of the four seasons in the Geiyo Islands, in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea. In winter, white mist blankets the sea. Between dawn to sunrise, the mist turns purple, then blue, and finally, gold. In spring, delicate pink cherry blossoms burst into bloom on Iwagi Island, with its 3,000 trees planted by the islanders themselves. In summer, Osakikamijima Island is the stage for a fierce and brightly-colored battle. Teams of men in red, yellow, blue, and white take part in a rowing race that dates back to medieval times. In autumn, milky-white oysters are ready. They are harvested from the oyster racks that flank the coast of Kurahashijima Island in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan’s top oyster producing region. And then, when winter returns, Kone Island is dotted with deep orange, the color of ripe satsuma oranges. The Geiyo Islands are truly a land of vibrant color, culture, and tradition.

｜Length : 29 ｜Year : 2019 ｜

The Seto Inland Sea region in western Japan has been dubbed the “jewel of the world” for its scenic beauty, but its remarkable colors are not limited to the deep blue waters and green forests that cover its many islands. This episode explores the palette of colors, both manmade and natural, that make this region so unique, including the prized silvery sheen of sardines carefully caught and quickly processed to preserve their freshness; the pure white island that is a major salt depository; the red, green, and white lights illuminating an industrial complex that operates around the clock, as fiery bursts from flare stacks scorch the night sky; and a deep red soy sauce made by combining crystal-clear water from the forests with a traditional brewing method involving natural bacteria and wooden barrels. Unlock the secrets of the colors created by nature and the people living near the Seto Inland Sea.

｜Length : 34 ｜Year : 2019 ｜

Stone walls are part of the fabric of traditional Japanese scenery, especially in mountainous Shikoku in western Japan. Walls delineate fields, protect homes and support a rural way of life. But today, the expertise needed to maintain and repair them is in danger of dying out.
In college, Reo Kaneko, now 30, was charmed by the walls’ functionality and simple elegance. He took on the challenge of learning traditional wall-building techniques and passing them on to the next generation. Quitting his job and moving to Tokushima, he set about making his living solely by repairing broken walls and teaching others how to do it.
However, the realities of marriage and a child are causing financial strain. He remains committed to living and working in rural Shikoku, while his wife works for a construction company in Tokyo. Can he find a way to build both walls and a family life?

｜Length : 34 ｜Year : 2018 ｜

Beginning in 1971, a Rice Acreage-Reduction Policy has been in effect in Japan for nearly 50 years. With the abolishment of this policy, farmers will be able to grow rice freely, but will lose subsidized funding that was provided by the government. As a result, many farmers are deeply concerned, not knowing where this development will lead. But among them, one farmer from Akita Prefecture is gathering attention: Takayuki Suzuki. Though not from a farming background, Suzuki has opened a chain of specialty shops selling rice balls made from rice he grew himself. Now, Suzuki is considered a prodigy in the rice industry y. A veteran farmer, Kenjiro Sato, assists him in his endeavor, placing his trust in Suzuki in order to protect the future of rice farming. As the times change, we explore the thoughts and struggles of these farmers as they work together to pioneer a way to live on rice.