Begin Japanology
Season 5 Episode 31 - Abalone
The abalone is a shellfish found along Japan's rocky coastline. Abalone have shallow, spiral shells that look like dishes, and they have been treasured by the Japanese since ancient times. Abalone is delicious raw, boiled, or grilled. Dried abalone in particular is a fine delicacy, and it was once such an important export to China that the shoguns outlawed its consumption within Japan. Abalone have long been considered auspicious. They are an essential part of sacred Shinto offerings on festive occasions. Centuries ago, samurai ate abalone before heading off to battle. In the late 19th century, Japanese entrepreneurs brought abalone cuisine to the world. And today, methods to increase abalone production are being tried out in many parts of Japan. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is abalone. We'll trace the long history of this shellfish in Japan and what it tells us about Japanese culture and cuisine.
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
