Customer Rating: 
Summary: Excellent introduction to Japan!
Comment: Recently, I showed this video to my 6th grade world cultures students and they were really captivated by it. I wasn't sure how they would like it, but they loved seeing the crafts and various artists of Japan. The video is great, because it gives you short pictures of different important people and a real overview of all of Japan's amazing talent. My students particularly liked the fighting puppets. It was a BIG hit. I would definitely recommend it. We are watching it again next year without a doubt.
Customer Rating:
Summary: This viedo is a beatifully filmed informative documentary.
Comment: I saw this beatifully filmed piece on PBS. It selects several artists, ranging from weavers to dancers to sword makers, who have been designated by the Japanese government as "Living Treasures." This documentary describes the artistic tradition each Treasure practices, showing the traditions of some of Japan's near-lost arts. The information presented includes how the art is practiced, the traditions behind it, and some minutes of comment or interview from the Treasurers themselves. I would recommend this video to anyone who is interested in arts, history and tradition, or Japanese culture. There is actually a lot of information and insipration in this program. This video has an overall quiet, peaceful and relaxed feel, gently walking us through the lives and traditions of the Treasurers. I think it would be a wonderful generation-bridge for parents and children to watch together.
