Begin Japanology
Season 5 Episode 35 - Potatoes, Taros, and Yams
Potatoes, sweet potatoes, taros, yams - these are just some of Japan's imo, a word that describes starchy vegetables with enlarged underground roots and stems. Sweet potatoes saved countless lives during the great famines of the samurai era and the food shortages of the Second World War. Konjac is a food with a unique appeal. It has practically no nutrients or calories, and little flavor, but its unique texture is widely enjoyed in Japan. It also, believe it or not, played a role in a Japanese wartime plan to terrorize the United States with fire balloons. Japanese mountain yams are prized for their viscous texture, and some people trek through the woods in search of the very largest ones. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is potatoes, taros, and yams. By exploring this wide variety of tubers, we will dig deep into a rich Japanese culinary tradition.
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
