FCCJ Kent Campus Library Video Collections -
Asian Humanities - Japan and Japanese

Introduces the question of what it means to be religious in Japanese society. Identifies three major needs that religion seems to meet for the Japanese, and then discusses the special religious ceremonies and practices the Japanese have developed to serve these needs. Discusses the major religions of Japan: Shintoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Christianity.
VT - 3782 pt. 1 & 2

Explores the central values of Japan, Germany, and the U.S. and focuses on what drives each of these societies. America's hallmark is individualism; Japan's the pre-eminence of the group. In America, freedom and diversity are primary values; in Japan, conformity and a powerful sense of nationalism prevail. Germany stands between the two. Examines education as a metaphor for the contrasts in the three societies.
VT - 3623

Explores and illustrates the paradoxical ideal known as bunbu-ryodo, "the dual way of the pen and the sword," the unique interaction of martial tradition and civilian arts that was central to the shaping of daimyo culture in medieval Japan. Focuses on cultural activities such as the tea ceremony, No theater, calligraphy, swordsmanship, and archery from horseback..
VT - 3689

Visits Japan to investigate the Japanese experience of Buddhist worship and the complexities of Zen.
VT - 2341

A travelog featuring visits to a Zen temple, a Shinto shrine, the great Buddha of Kamakura, Himeji Castle, and the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo.
VT - 2131

Profiles nine artisans and performing artists who are recognized by law as "holders of important intangile cultural properties" and are charged with publicly exhibiting their works and teaching their artistry to apprentices. Pays visits to a potter, doll sculptor, puppeteer, papermaker, koto musician, swordmaker, textile weaver and dyer, kabuki theater actor, and bellmaker.
VT - 1757

Designed to introduce Japan, through the eyes of typical Japanese sixth-graders, to American students.

[Pt.1-2] My day ; -- Tokyo Sunday -- [Pt.3-4] Tohoku diary : a trip through northern Japan ; -- Summer vacation -- [Pt.5-6] My family ; --Making things : Japanese industry -- [Pt.7-8] My town ; Nobles and samurai : Japan before Perry -- [Pt.9-10] Living arts : culture in modern Kyoto ; Friends -- [Pt.11-12] Our school ; Seasons and festivities.
VT - 1240 pt. 1&2, 3&4, 5&6

Many Japanese were stunned and fearful when war was declared against the West in 1941. But after the victories of Hong Kong, Malaya, and Singapore, their earlier fears were lost in exultation. By 1944, the scales had tipped fully against Japan, but still they defended their homeland, unaware of the terrible weapon yet to be used against them which would end the war.
VT - 959

On August 6, 1945, an American B-29 bomber, the "Enola Gay" named after the mother of the pilot Paul Tibbetts, droppd the world's first uranium bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Four days later a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.
VT - 960

Japan, seeking unrestricted access to raw materials she needs for expansion, tires of negotiations and strikes at Pearl Harbor, inflicting a severe blow to American naval power. In a few months, Japan demonstrates how ill-prepared the Allies are, sweeping forward to capture Hong Kong, Burma, Malaya, Singapore, the Dutch East Indies, and the Philippines.
VT - 945

Sculptor Isamu Noguchi discusses his work.
VT - 2916

A study of the traditional, bombastic theater of Japan, with attention given to the symbolism of the performances.
VT-2016