LAST ARTISANS

Many of the art forms nurtured by everyday people in Japan are threatened with extinction, as successors are hard to come by. "Last Artisans" looks at several of the traditions and rediscovers their fun and popular appeal.

Mt. Fuji in the bath

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Dec. 15, Thu. 23:30/
Dec. 16, Fri. 3:30/ 7:30/ 11:30/ 15:30/ 19:30 (UTC)

A mural of Mt. Fuji is a standard feature of public bathhouses in Japan. The number of such institutions, however, is diminishing. As a result, only two bathhouse painters are left. This episode shows painter Morio Nakajima coming up with colors and scenery that suit the steamy environment of the bathhouse, and finishing the expansive painting in just eight hours.

The storyteller in the streets

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Dec. 22, Thu. 23:30/
Dec. 23, Fri. 3:30/ 7:30/ 11:30/ 15:30/ 19:30 (UTC)

Once upon a time, children in Japan marveled at the deftly crafted stories and illustrations that picture-storytellers had to offer. The storyteller would ride his bicycle to a vacant lot to tell tales, and the kids couldn't wait to hear them. Today's kids, however, are far more likely to be spending their time with video games. Nevertheless, storyteller Tameharu Nagata continues to ride, searching for audiences that are willing to listen.

Edo Robots

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Dec. 30, Thu. 23:30/
Dec. 31, Fri. 3:30/ 7:30/ 11:30/ 15:30/ 19:30 (UTC)

Mechanical dolls are often seen as the forerunners of Japanese robotics. The art form became a staple of festivals and other public events, under the patronage of the Owari-Tokugawa family. Even today, a ninth-generation doll maker Shobei Tamaya loves to surprise the crowd with original creations.