Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)

Synopsis

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 Information

Created By

Lyn Goldfarb, Deborah Ann DeSnoo

First Aired

2004

Last Aired

2004

Seasons

1

Episodes

3

Episode Length

165 min

Genre

Documentary, War & Politics

Network

PBS

Status

Ended

Rating

9.5 / 10 (2 votes)

Top Cast

👤

Luke S. Roberts

Himself - UC Santa Barbera

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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