Journeys in Japan
Season 14 Episode 5 - Matsue: The World of Wagashi
Matsue, in Shimane Prefecture, is renowned as a center for wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets). Around the 18th century, more than 100 kinds of confections were created there, elevating the city as one of Japan's most famous centers for wagashi, alongside Kyoto and Kanazawa. To this day, this culture remains an important part of daily life, and for many people it is customary to enjoy these confections as a snack with tea each day in the mid-morning and mid-afternoon. This culture was introduced to Matsue some 300 years ago along with the tea ceremony by the feudal lord of the Matsue domain, Matsudaira Harusato―who is also known as Lord Fumai. Many of the wagashi treats developed in the city during his life are still favorites with the local people. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, American artist Brandon Chin explores the world of wagashi in Matsue, meeting local artisans who are still carrying on the tradition.
Episodes in Season 14
Nagoya: Exploring with Insiders
28 min
Ozu: Castle Town Looking to the Future
28 min
Kyushu: On the Trail of Shoyu
28 min
Yasugi: Discoveries Along the Iron Road
28 min
Matsue: The World of Wagashi
28 min
Kochi: Into the Luminous Darkness
28 min
Winter Along the Mogami River
28 min
Live Long, Live Well in Northern Nagano
28 min
Akita, Yamagata, Niigata: The Textiles and Traditions of Winter
28 min
Sapporo: Ski Mountaineering Tradition
28 min
Rambling Around Secluded Yanbaru
28 min
Onomichi: Vistas, Cats and Steep Hillsides
28 min
Tobishima Kaido: Taking It Slow on Golden Isles
28 min
With Isabella Bird — Part 2: On the Road to Tsugawa
28 min
On the Sugar Road from Nagasaki to Saga
28 min
Nibutani the Ainu, Living with Kamuy
28 min
The Wild Life in One-of-a-Kind Amami
28 min
Amami Oshima: Beauty in the Rain
28 min
Owase: City of Abundant Rain
28 min
Discovering the Wonders of Iya Valley
28 min
Tsuruga Castle, Where the Past Meets the Present
28 min
Gujo-Hachiman: Dancing the Night Away
28 min
With Isabella Bird — Part 3: On the Road to Yamagata
28 min
Koyasan: In Pursuit of Enlightenment
28 min
From Ise to the Source of the Sacred River
28 min
The Soaring Dragons of Chichibu
28 min
Kyushu: On the Shoyu Trail: Nagasaki – Kumamoto – Miyazaki
28 min
Handa: Savoring a Canal City's Delights
28 min
Yakushima Awakenings
28 min
