Journeys in Japan
Season 8 Episode 13 - Nara: Ancient Sanctuary for all Living Creatures
The ancient city of Nara lies close to Kyoto and Osaka. Around 1,300 years ago it was the capital of Japan, and numerous sacred sites are preserved there dating back to that period of history. Located at the foot of wild mountains covered with thick forest, many of the traditional beliefs and religious rites in this area concern the relationship between people and the living creatures that inhabit this area. There are deer that roam freely around the compound of Kasuga Taisha, the city's main shrine. They have long been considered as the messengers of the deity worshiped there, and to this day the local people take great care of them. Foxes, snakes and monkeys are other animals that are believed to have a connection with the deities. And an annual ritual is held to remember the living creatures that have sacrificed their lives in daily life. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, poet and scholar Peter MacMillan explores Nara and the spiritual practices of this timeless heartland.
Episodes in Season 8
Koza: A Rhythm All Its Own
28 min
Ogawayama: A Rock Climber's Paradise
28 min
Niseko: Snowy Adventures
28 min
Suruga Bay: The Bounty of the Deep
28 min
Tokoname: City of Ceramics Past and Present
28 min
Ibaraki: Savoring Winter Flavors
28 min
Hokkaido: Sculpting Winter's Ice and Snow
28 min
Mt. Norikuradake: A Peak Winter Experience
28 min
Odate: The Land of the Akita Inu
28 min
Oya, Utsunomiya: Stone Town & Quarry Ruins Tour
28 min
Nagoya: Samurai Warlord Chronicles
28 min
Hakuba: Off Piste to a Hidden Hot Spring
28 min
Nara: Ancient Sanctuary for all Living Creatures
28 min
Monobe, Kochi: Tales from the Magical Mountain Hamlet
28 min
Manazuru: Good Living by Design
28 min
Nanyo, Ehime: Water for Life and Fun
28 min
Meiwa-cho, Mie: An Ancient Legend Comes to Life
28 min
Mount Daisen: Mystical Rites, Local Life
28 min
Murayama, Yamagata: Local Delicacies, Local Pride
28 min
Tottori: Sculpted by Nature
28 min
Deep into the Unspoiled Forest: Shirakami Sanchi
28 min
Yonaguni: Wild West Escapades
28 min
Obuse, Nagano: Walking and Running for Fun
28 min
Taisetsuzan: Summer Alpine Discoveries
28 min
Kochi's Summertime Fever: The Yosakoi!
28 min
Awa Odori Festival: Spirited Away in Tokushima
28 min
Yanai: Old Town of Goldfish Lanterns
28 min
Nagara River: Pristine Beauty, Waterborne Bounty
28 min
Minami-Izu: Unspoiled Seaside Getaway
28 min
A River Runs Through Hokkaido
28 min
Kagoshima: The Taste and Style of "Kuro" Culture
28 min
Kikuma, Ehime: Pride and Pageantry
28 min
Togakushi: Autumn Hues at a Sacred Mountain
28 min
Passage of Time: Lake Towada in Autumn
28 min
Karatsu: Festival Floats, Deep Community Spirit
28 min
