Watch Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire is a fascinating historical documentary series that aired on PBS in 2004. It is a three-part program that explores Japan's medieval era, particularly the time when the country was ruled by the Tokugawa Shogunate from the 17th to the mid-19th century.

The documentary features interviews with historians and experts on Japanese history, as well as dramatized reenactments of important events during this period. It uses primary sources such as letters, diaries, and artwork to paint a picture of what life was like during this time, and to examine the social, cultural, and political changes that were occurring.

The first episode, "The Way of the Samurai," focuses on Japan's feudal period when the country was divided into warring factions. It explores the rise of the samurai, the warrior class that dominated Japan's political landscape and examines how they lived and fought. We learn about their codes of honor, such as bushido, and the role they played in shaping Japanese society.

The second episode, "The Will of the Shogun," looks at the Tokugawa shogunate, a powerful dynasty that was able to unify Japan and bring stability to the country. It examines the political and economic changes that occurred during this time, the role of the Emperor, and the isolationist foreign policy that Japan adopted to keep out foreign influence.

The final episode, "The Return of the Barbarians," examines Japan's encounter with the West in the 19th century and how it led to the end of the shogunate and the emergence of modern Japan. We learn about the arrival of American Commodore Matthew Perry's "black ships" in 1853 and their impact on Japanese society, as well as the Meiji Restoration, a political movement that marked the end of feudalism and initiated Japan's transformation into a modern industrialized nation.

Throughout the series, we see Japan's history through the eyes of important figures such as Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the shogunate, and Commodore Perry. We also learn about lesser-known figures such as Oda Nobunaga, a powerful samurai who helped unite Japan, and Matsuo Basho, a poet who captured the spirit of the time.

One of the strengths of the series is how it combines documentary-style interviews with dramatic reenactments. The reenactments are well done and help to bring to life the events and characters being discussed. They are also accompanied by an excellent soundtrack that reflects the traditional Japanese music of the era.

The series is informative and engaging, and it provides an excellent overview of Japan's feudal period and the events that led to its modernization. It is also notable for its attention to detail and its use of primary sources, giving viewers a sense of authentic Japan, as it was then.

Overall, Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire is an excellent program that should appeal not only to Japanophiles but to anyone interested in history and culture. It is well worth watching for those who want to learn more about Japan's fascinating past.

Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (3 episodes). The series first aired on May 26, 2004.