Understanding Japan Through its History

Like other countries, the Japanese break the subject of history into two sections, their own national history, and world history. While it's rare for Japanese to be really familiar with the past events of other nations (although everyone seems to study "Four Score and Seven Years Ago" and "I Have a Dream"), I've always been impressed with how much interest many Japanese take in their own history, even young people. Flip channels during "golden time" (what prime-time is called here) and most nights you'll find one or even two jidai geki, historical dramas based in the days of Japan's bygone past. Some of these shows are great swashbuckling fun, with ninjas and swordplay and characters that are partially based on legend, like Mito Komon, a Tokugawa official who roams Japan in disguise while uncovering dastardly crimes, which he resolves by pulling out his official wooden crest and shouting, "Back! Can you not see this emblem?" Other historical dramas are serious attempts to show the important events of the past in a dramatic way, like the currently running Atsuhime, which tells the story of the wife of the Shogun Iesada Tokugawa, who had the bad luck of being ruler immediately after the arrival of Admiral Perry and his black ships, as public opinion started to turn against the Shogunate for not standing up to the U.S. and Britain better. No matter how hip or trendy an actor or actress is, they'll eventually appear in one of these historical dramas, even lovely idols like Yuko Ogura. Appearing in such a traditional acting venue probably adds a new dimension to their character with fans.