English Old Books on Japan
NHK WORLD History Uncovered: Osaka’s Tragic Folding Screen and old books on Japan
- Posting date:
- 2022/10/15
History Uncovered: Osaka’s Tragic Folding Screen was broadcast on NHK World on 6 August 2022. In this programme, the author (Frederik Cryns) attempts to solve the mystery of the ‘Osaka Summer Battle Folding Screen’ in the Osaka Castle Keep collection, i.e. who ordered the screen and for what purpose? I try to unravel the mystery by looking at old western books about Japan. Filming took place at Osaka Castle Keep, near Tenmabashi Bridge, and at Nichibunken. At Osaka Castle Keep, we were able to see the original folding screens. These are rarely shown to the public because the pigments in them lose their colour in the light. I am really grateful to have seen them from so close. Meanwhile, at Nichibunken, we filmed in the library, in the rare book reading room, and in our “project room”. It gives a glimpse of the sites where we usually work.
The programme was well received and is still available on the NHK WORLD website.
History Uncovered: Osaka’s Tragic Folding Screen
It can also be viewed on NHK WORLD’s YouTube channel.
(Frederik Cryns)