Review by Tweekums

This fascinating three part series looks at three major influences on Japanese art and culture; the natural environment; the cities, notably Kyoto, Edo and modern Tokyo; and the home. In each episode we see how these have influenced Japanese art and life over the centuries. Presenter Dr James Fox clearly knows a lot about the subject and his enthusiasm for it clearly shows. We don't just see the expected 'art' of paintings; there is also the design of buildings, cultivating bonsai, flower arranging and calligraphy to mention just a few things. As well as talking about each subject and showing examples he talks to modern practitioners who talk about their art; frequently pointing out things that are far from obvious just by looking at the item… subtleties such as how Japanese carpenter use their tools in different ways to Westerners, cutting on the opposite stroke to give just one example.

I found this series really engrossing and heartily recommend it to anybody who is interested in cultures other than our own in general or Japanese culture in particular. Even those who know a lot about the subject are likely to find something new to see and those, like me, who only know a little should learn quite a bit.