Begin Japanology
Season 5 Episode 4 - Hot Water Bottles and Pocket Warmers
Hot water bottles and pocket warmers are just the thing for Japan's cold winters. Hot water bottles first came to Japan from China in the 16th century. The first pocket warmers are thought to have been devised in Japan as far back as the 12th century. From the age of the shoguns through the Second World War to the present day, the materials and design of hot water bottles have reflected the changing times. Today, hot water bottles and pocket warmers come in all shapes and sizes and are used not only to keep warm, but also to improve blood circulation and relax stiff shoulders. On this edition of BEGIN Japanology, our theme is hot water bottles and pocket warmers. We'll see what these traditional heating devices reveal about Japanese ingenuity.
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
