Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

Synopsis

Commanding shoguns and samurai warriors, exotic geisha and exquisite artisans—all were part of the Japanese “renaissance”; a period between the 16th and 19th Centuries when Japan went from chaos and violence to a land of ritual refinement and peace. But stability came at a price: for nearly 250 years, Japan was a land closed to the Western world, ruled by the Shogun under his absolute power and control. Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire brings to life the unknown story of a mysterious empire, its relationship with the West, and the forging of a nation that would emerge as one of the most important countries in the world.

First Air Date: 2004-05-26

Last Air Date: 2004-05-26

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 3

Created By: Lyn Goldfarb, Deborah Ann DeSnoo

Networks: PBS

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Luke S. Roberts as Himself - UC Santa Barbera
Richard Chamberlain as Narrator
Michael Auslin as Himself - Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Michael Cooper as Himself - Former Editor, 'Monumenta Nipponica'
Beatrice M. Bodart-Bailey as Herself - Otsuma Women's University

Seasons

Miniseries (2004)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: The Way of the Samurai (2004-05-26)

Tokugawa Ieyasu unifies Japan and establishes a dynasty that will rule Japan for over 250 years.
Ep. 2: The Will of the Shogun (2004-05-26)

The grandson of Ieyasu, Tokugawa Iemitsu, tightens control over Japan's warlords and expels all foreigners.
Ep. 3: The Return of the Barbarians (2004-05-26)

Isolated from the West, 18th century Edo flourishes culturally and economically, becoming one of the liveliest cities in the world. But foreign forces are coming.