Moshi Moshi Nippon (2014 - 2015)

Featuring creative works and projects of young artisans inspired by Japanese traditional culture. The keyword of the day is W for Wagashi! Traditional Japanese sweets, known as wagashi, have evolved by getting inspired by other cultures over the years. Japanese learned good things about imported overseas desserts by celebrating them as a new kind of food, not just as sweets, and came up with their own versions that are far more advanced to be simply called a copy. Wagashi is not only tasteful but also appealing to eyes as its appearance reflects the passion of the patisserie. A group named "wagashi asobi" (literally meaning, "play with wagashi") appreciates the tradition, and continues to create a new wagashi that reflects the modern world by thinking outside the box.

Featuring creative works and projects of young artisans inspired by Japanese traditional culture. The keyword of the day is H for Hakone Yosegi Zaiku (a type of traditional Japanese parquetry). Yosegi-zaiku is a type of traditional Japanese parquetry that makes best use of natural fine grains and colors of wood, and has been around for about 200 years. The most famous type of parquetry is called "Hakone Yosegi Zaiku". Kiyotaka Tsuyuki, the fourth owner of "Tsuyuki Mokkousho" in Odawara, is known as the new rising star of "Hakone Yosegi Zaiku".

The keyword of the day is A for Amezaiku. Amezaiku, the traditional Japanese art of candy sculpture, has more than 500 years of history. The beautiful candy sculpture is crafted with heated candy base (starchy syrup) in mere seconds before it cools and hardens. This edible art is sometimes crafted to entertain guests. Shinri Tezuka, who works in Asakusa, Tokyo, is known as an Amezaiku artist who creates the one-and-only candy sculpture.

Today's keyword is "I" for "Ichimatsu doll". "Ichimatsu doll" is a painted wooden doll that has been around for over 300 years. The doll allows children to change kimono and practice embroidery on it. We feature Meisho Yamazaki, who is the only female Ichimatsu doll specialist in Japan.

Today’s keyword is "F" for Furin. In summer, Furin (a Japanese glass wind chime) is often seen hanging under the eaves of houses. The bell makes a gentle tinkling sound when a breeze blows. For about two thousand years, the refreshing sound of the bell provided people with aural comfort from the summer’s heat. In this segment, we feature Yukari Shinohara, who works as a furin maker.

Today’s keyword is "B" for Bonsai. Bonsai is a traditional Japanese hobby that uses miniature trees grown in pots. Bonsai trees are planted in small pots and appreciated for their beautiful appearance that varies depending on the shape, color and texture of the trunk, leaves and branches. Landscape bonsai is also popular for its looks that replicate scenery. Bonsai artist Kaori Yamada shares the fun of bonsai.

Today's keyword is "U" for Ukai. Ukai is a style of fishing, in which fishermen use trained cormorants to catch fish. It’s a Japanese tradition going back over 1,300 years. Today, Ukai has become more form of entertainment performed for tourists as they watch from a traditional sightseeing boat called katabune. In this segment, the first female cormorant fisher Kotomi Inayama introduces you to the world of ukai.

The program will feature on Japan Expo in Paris, and HYPER JAPAN in London to see how kawaii culture is spreading around the world. The MOSHIMOSHI NIPPON Project team also had booths at both events and promoted Japanese pop culture.

Today's keyword is "K" for kingyo. Kingyo is the Japanese word for goldfish. For centuries, people have praised these fish for the beauty and have created new species over the years through crossbreeding. Goldfish breeding began in China but was banned during the Chinese Cultural Revolution. The tradition, however, was picked up by Japan, where it has developed into a sophisticated art form. In this segment, Hidetomo Kimura takes us behind-the-scenes of his goldfish exhibition ECO EDO Nihonbashi Art Aquarium 2014.

Today’s keyword is "K" for karaoke! The Japanese culture of karaoke is gaining recognition around the world. As a new form of entertainment, Japanese-style karaoke is becoming more and more popular among the young generation even in those countries where singing in front of others is not part of their culture. Stepping outside of the studio, our host Rei visits one of the major karaoke manufacturers in Japan and guides you through the history and evolution of karaoke machines.

Today's keyword is "S" for Shokuhin-Sample! Many tourists have told us that they were impressed with our fake food samples often displayed in front of restaurants. In addition to those intricately made plastic replicas, which look like real food, fake food accessories are also becoming more popular these days for their cute appearances. Iwasaki Mokei Seizo in Gujo Hachiman, Gifu is known as one of the leading manufacturers in the fake food industry. In this episode, we decided to visit this touristy city, introducing you to those artists’ distinctive craftsmanship that requires a high level of specialized knowledge.

Today's theme is "C" for Chochin, which is the Japanese word for paper lanterns. Kunpei Yoshimoto is an Ibaraki-based lantern artist who won a number of awards for his distinctive asymmetrical lanterns. His work varies from cute bird-shaped lanterns to modern designs that are great as home accessories. Kunpei was also the first person to create LED lanterns that are turned on and off by sound and touch. In this segment, Kunpei gives an insight to his latest and most innovative chochin making method and shares his goal of turning lanterns into a communication tool.

Today’s keyword is "S" for Sento's wall painter. Sento (Public bath) is an important part of Japanese culture. Many bathhouses feature paintings on the wall that are inspired by Japanese scenery. Currently, there are only three painters who can create those intricate art pieces in Japan. Mizuki Tanaka is among the youngest painters. It was when Mizuki visited a sento during her university years that inspired her to become a sento wall painter. In this segment, we talk to Mizuki who aims to gain recognition for sento wall paintings through her work.

Today's keyword is "E" for Edo Kiriko. It's a glass cutting method developed back in the end of the Edo period. It involves layering tinted glass over clear glass, and cutting it into designs that are made by combining patterns taken from items such as kimono. Funachoco is a new line of Edo Kiriko products created in collaboration between Hirota Glass and Arii sisters who work as product designers. In this segment, we feature the creators behind Funachoco – a glass craft that combines traditional Edo Kiriko patterns with modern styles.

Featuring creative works and projects of young artisans inspired by Japanese traditional culture.

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