Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

Overview

Commanding shoguns and samurai warriors, exotic geisha and exquisite artisans—all were part of the Japanese “renaissance”; a period 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.

Series details

First air date

2004

Last air date

2004

Status

Ended

Seasons

1

Episodes

3

Episode runtime

165 min

Genres

Documentary, War & Politics

Original language

EN

Origin country

US

Networks

PBS

Created by

Lyn Goldfarb, Deborah Ann DeSnoo

Cast

L

Luke S. Roberts

Himself - UC Santa Barbera

Richard Chamberlain

Narrator

M

Michael Auslin

Himself - Nikko Toshogu Shrine

M

Michael Cooper

Himself - Former Editor, 'Monumenta Nipponica'

B

Beatrice M. Bodart-Bailey

Herself - Otsuma Women's University