Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

TV-PG20042h 45m9.5/10
DocumentaryWar & Politics

Ratings

🎬TMDb
9.5/10(2)

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.

Language

EN

Status

Ended

First Aired

May 26, 2004

Last Aired

May 26, 2004

Networks

PBS

Created By

Lyn Goldfarb, Deborah Ann DeSnoo

Where to Watch
Region US · Lang EN
US
No providers available for this region.
Seasons & Episodes
Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.
Season
The Way of the Samurai
E1
The Way of the Samurai
Air date: 2004-05-26
Tokugawa Ieyasu unifies Japan and establishes a dynasty that will rule Japan for over 250 years.
The Will of the Shogun
E2
The Will of the Shogun
Air date: 2004-05-26
The grandson of Ieyasu, Tokugawa Iemitsu, tightens control over Japan's warlords and expels all foreigners.
The Return of the Barbarians
E3
The Return of the Barbarians
Air date: 2004-05-26
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.

Cast

Luke S. Roberts

Himself - UC Santa Barbera

Richard Chamberlain

Richard Chamberlain

Narrator

Michael Auslin

Himself - Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Michael Cooper

Himself - Former Editor, 'Monumenta Nipponica'

Beatrice M. Bodart-Bailey

Herself - Otsuma Women's University

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