Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

May 26, 2004

2h 45m

★ 9.5

Overview

Japan blossomed into its Renaissance at approximately the same time as Europe. Unlike the West, it flourished not through conquest and exploration, but by fierce and defiant isolation. And the man at the heart of this empire was Tokugawa Ieyasu, a warlord who ruled with absolute control. This period is explored through myriad voices-- the Shogun, the Samurai, the Geisha, the poet, the peasant and the Westerner who glimpsed into this secret world.

Genres

Documentary

History

Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire Trailers

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Cast

Himself - Nikko Toshogu Shrine

Michael Auslin

Herself - Otsuma Women's University

Beatrice M. Bodart-Bailey

Narrator

Richard Chamberlain

Himself - Former Editor, 'Monumenta Nipponica'

Michael Cooper

Himself - UC Santa Barbera

Luke S. Roberts

The year is 1805. Napoleon ruled Europe. Ienari is the 11th Tokugawa Shogun. An incident, which was an open official secret, took place on the foothills of Mt. Fuji. Fearing attacks from within and without, the Shogunate planned to build a training castle utilizing the most advanced techniques. Two master castle architects, Sato Kikutaro and Kumai Hakuten, were selected to compete for the honor of building this castle. Lord Mizuno Dewa has even ordered the townspeople to assist both sides with their land surveys and preparations. This leads to fear on the part of farmers that their land will be taken away from them, and sets off a series of events which rock the nation to its very roots. With an all-star cast, this is an important story with relevance to current times. One of Ichikawa Utaemon's finest performances, a true classic!

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No overview available.

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No Image Available

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No Image Available

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