Episode 1 - Hiroshige Blue | NHK WORLD-JAPAN
www3.nhk.or.jp
It is 1830. Utagawa Hiroshige is a fire warden from a low-ranking samurai family who is struggling to establish himself as an ukiyo-e artist. One day, he learns about a new paint called Berlin blue and is struck by its beauty. With support from his devoted wife, Kayo, he publishes the "Famous Places in the Eastern Capital" series using the precious paint. Hiroshige is happy with his paintings, but for some reason they do not sell, and money is tight. Meanwhile, a boy approaches him asking to be his apprentice.

Just started this, dunno how it'll turn out. But it's kind of neat to see a depiction of later samurai, long after their swords had rusted in their scabbards and they had to find real jobs. It seems pretty light hearted so far. Crappy jobs, every day heroism, overbearing grandparents, and dreams that are just out of reach.

  • Frank [he/him, he/him]
    ·
    19 days ago

    One of the things I like about Japanese historical media is seeing genuinely not european villages, towns, cities, and a different version of historical memory. Notably, Japanese media mostly doesn't smear everyone including the camera with a hefty layer of shit before filming.