Begin Japanology
Season 5 Episode 14 - Horses
Since ancient times, there has been a belief in Japan that horses are messengers of the gods, or even gods themselves. Samurai shared their fate with their loyal horses; riding a brave steed was a great honor. The horse breeds that have been in Japan the longest are small in stature. They are known for their gentle nature, and people have always loved them. These days, the focus is on thoroughbreds. Horse racing in Japan boasts the world's highest revenues and has created many famous horses. The Japanese see parallels between horse racing and life, and they identify closely with stirring stories. One crowd favorite was a horse that racked up a perfect career record...of zero wins! On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is horses. We look at horse-related rituals and traditions, and the way the Japanese have interacted with horses, as we seek a deeper understanding of their importance in Japanese culture.
Episodes in Season 5
Ekiden
28 min
Batteries
28 min
Cafes
28 min
Hot Water Bottles and Pocket Warmers
28 min
Ikebana
28 min
Excavators
28 min
Woods & Forests
28 min
Japanophiles - Dhugal Lindsay
28 min
Japanophiles - Richard Emmert
28 min
Japanophiles - Art Lee
28 min
Japanophiles - Philip Harper
28 min
Kabuki
28 min
Wild Vegetables
28 min
Horses
28 min
Massage Chairs
28 min
Shikoku Pilgrimage
28 min
Regional Fast Food
28 min
Department Stores
28 min
Kimonos
28 min
Aquariums
28 min
Confectionery
28 min
Dolls
28 min
Moss
28 min
High School Baseball
28 min
Planetariums
28 min
Japanophiles - Adam Booth
28 min
Japanophiles - Dave Spector
28 min
Japanophiles - Euan Craig
28 min
Shamisen
28 min
Crested Ibises
28 min
Abalone
28 min
Tokyo Station
28 min
Tokyo Skytree
28 min
Tokyo Bay
28 min
Potatoes, Taros, and Yams
28 min
Name Seals
28 min
Mushrooms
28 min
Vending Machines
28 min
Scissors
28 min
Satsuma Mandarins
28 min
Gift-giving
28 min
