Ulysses lands in Japan: tonight Alberto Angela tells about the country of samurai

Ulysses, the Pleasure of Discovery dedicates a new episode to Japan. The Rai Cultura program hosted by Alberto Angela will air this evening, May 11, in prime time on Rai 1 with a journey through the history, traditions, modernity and collective imagination of one of the most observed and narrated countries of recent decades. The title of the episode, From Samurai to Manga, sums up the path constructed by the program: a tale that combines very different aspects of Japanese culture, from historical memory to the global influence of animation and comics.

The episode opens in Tokyo, the megalopolis of some thirty-eight million inhabitants that represents one of the most recognizable images of contemporary Japan. Alberto Angela travels through some of the capital’s iconic sites, showing the contrast between urban density, social order, and technological innovation. Stops include the giant Gundam statue, which over time has become a destination for fans and visitors from all over the world, an example of the cultural impact exerted by Japanese animation on multiple generations. The journey continues inside the large underground system designed for flood prevention, an infrastructure that testifies to the country’s ongoing confrontation with the risk of natural disasters.

Also featured in the Tokyo story is theShibuya intersection, considered one of the busiest crosswalks on the planet and a symbol of urban life in the Japanese capital. Alberto Angela also reaches the city’s bay, recalling the long historical period when foreign ships were forbidden to dock, a choice that deeply marked Japan’s political and cultural history. The episode then enters the old fish market and a kitchen where the preparation of sushi, one of the best-known dishes in the Japanese culinary tradition and now popular on an international scale, is shown.

Alongside the contemporary dimension of Tokyo, Ulysses devotes ample space to Kyoto, a city that preserves much of the country’s historical and religious heritage. Here Alberto Angela travels through streets and neighborhoods associated with the oldest traditions, showing a different reality from the capital. The broadcast visits the Kiyomizu-dera, among the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, and moves on toMiyajima Island, home to Itsukushima Shrine, a central site of the Shinto religion. The shrine’s great red portal, which emerges from the water following the rhythm of the tides, constitutes one of the most celebrated images of the Japanese landscape.

The journey continues among bamboo forests and sacred statues, elements that the show uses to narrate rituals, spirituality and the relationship with nature. Part of the episode is also devoted to the figure of samurai and ninjas. Alberto Angela visits Himeji Castle, considered one of the oldest and best preserved in Japan, tracing the history of the warrior castes that have marked Japanese society for centuries. The story of the 47 ronin, an episode that has become a symbol of the culture of honor and loyalty, also finds its place within the program. The story is placed in the place where the historical events took place, today corresponding to the garden of the Italian Embassy in Tokyo.

The episode also features two testimonies related to contemporary Japanese culture. Speakers include Takahashi Yōichi, author of Captain Tsubasa, a series known in Italy as Holly and Benji, which played an important role in the international spread of Japanese animation. Through his contribution, the program addresses the relationship between manga, television, and the collective imagination. Alongside him appears Tokyo-based writer Laura Imai Messina, who chronicles everyday and less visible aspects of contemporary Japanese society in her books.

The itinerary constructed by Ulysses, the Pleasure of Discovery thus alternates urban scenarios, historical memory, religious places and popular cultural phenomena, seeking to restore the complexity of a millennia-old civilization. From technology to spirituality, from cuisine to pop culture, the episode highlights the elements that over the years have helped fuel international interest in Japan and its imagery. The program also tries to dwell on the rules, customs and cultural codes that characterize daily life in the country. Ulysses, the Pleasure of Discovery is also available online on the RaiPlay platform.

Ulysses lands in Japan: tonight Alberto Angela tells about the country of samurai

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