Japan: The Living Tradition

Ideal for Grades: Secondary / College
Duration: Fourteen 30-minute episodes
©1978 University of Mid America

The Japan: The Living Tradition series examines the pre-modern history and traditional culture of Japan. The programs, produced by the University of Mid-America in 1976 for high school through adult audiences, are designed to introduce Americans to Japanese history and culture which is still tightly interwoven into the fabric of modern Japanese society. The episodes are a blend of on-location scenes filmed in Japan and archive footage.

Dr. Edwin O. Reischauer, senior advisor during the development of the series says “These episodes offer an understanding of Japan, and its history and culture, which would otherwise take years of study and residence in Japan to acquire. I know of nothing else which so clearly and dramatically conveys a realistic impression of Japan as it has evolved through the years."

Japan: The Changing Tradition is a companion series of sixteen, 30-minute episodes that examintes Japanese history from first contct with the west in the 1500's to the 1970s Click here for more information.

Japan: The Land and Its People is a related series of twelve 30-minute episodes that looks at Japanese society, business, festivals, family structure and more.
Click here for more information.

Rights granted with purchase include: a) life of media audiovisual use, b) public performance, c) campus or building closed circuit and digital/video-on-demand transmission.

Course Packs (all episodes on three DVDs in a single case) may be purchased for $25.00 each, plus 7% (minimum $5.00) shipping and handling. They are ideal when students are required to view all or most of the episodes independently. Course Packs are only available to institutions that have purchased the complete series or have licensed broadcast, cablecast or telecourse rights. Email slenzen@shopdei.com for details.

Click on the individual episode details below to learn more!