Japanology Plus - Season 9 - Eps 15: Okinawa: The Ryukyu Kingdom
Okinawa Prefecture is a group of subtropical islands in the far south of Japan. It was previously a prosperous maritime trading state called the Ryukyu Kingdom. In the first of 2 episodes about Okinawa, we discover how the Ryukyu Kingdom maintained an independent identity for 450 years. Our guest, historian Uezato Takashi, talks about the clever diplomatic strategies Ryukyu used with its larger neighbors, China and Japan. And we learn how that contributed to an eclectic and original outlook.
About Japanology Plus
Title: Japanology Plus
First Air Date: 2014-04-03
Last Air Date: 2025-05-22
Status: Returning Series
Rating: 6.4/10 (from 5 votes)
Language: EN
Seasons: 13
Total Episodes: 335
Network: NHK WORLD-JAPAN
Genres: Documentary, Talk
Production Companies: NHK, NHK Educational
Synopsis
Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai, and so much more. Local experts discuss their passions at fascinating length, and American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences the food, practices, and cultures in each episode in depth. Viewers will finish each half hour episode with a new understanding of an area of Japanese life through demonstrative videos and explanations, all delivered respectfully and true to the Japanese way of life.
Cast
Peter Barakan
Self - Host
