Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

2004
Ended
Documentary · War & Politics
~2h 45m / ep
1 season
9.5/10

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.

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Latest: Miniseries · 2004

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E1. The Way of the Samurai
May 26, 2004 · 56m
Tokugawa Ieyasu unifies Japan and establishes a dynasty that will rule Japan for over 250 years.
E2. The Will of the Shogun
May 26, 2004 · 56m
The grandson of Ieyasu, Tokugawa Iemitsu, tightens control over Japan's warlords and expels all foreigners.
E3. The Return of the Barbarians
May 26, 2004 · 56m
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.