I will be in Africa until Sept. 2008 and will not have access to the internet. I apologize for the inconvenience!
The
Premise
Japanland is a journey into the soul of Japan.
For twelve months I traveled from one end of the country to the
other, living among the people and exploring both Japan’s
ancient cultural heritage and its modern ways.
I brought certain skills with me to Japan. In addition to learning
Japanese, I had spent the last nine years studying judo. Because
martial arts are highly respected in Japan, this opened many doors
into Japanese life, allowing me to integrate into areas of society
rarely seen by foreigners.
I followed the dervish mountain-cults as they undertook shamanistic
austerities like fire walking, icy waterfall immersion and exorcism.
I joined a
samurai mounted archery team and learned how to handle a longbow
on a galloping horse. I filmed the ancient art of swordmaking
under a 24th generation master. I made a 900-mile pilgrimage in
the footsteps of Japan’s most famous saint, and helped light
ten thousand floating lanterns during Obon, the Festival of the
Dead.
Most expeditions come fully equipped and self-sufficient -- jeeps,
freeze-dried
food, guides, translators, sophisticated equipment, and short
tempers. I did the opposite. I carried everything I needed on
my back. I relied on the people, learned from them, shared their
meals, living conditions, and livelihoods. I was welcomed into
the homes of rural fishermen, potters, and farmers living in remote
villages carved out of steep mountain slopes. Along the way I
studied Bushido, the ancient samurai warrior's code of conduct.
To understand Bushido is to begin to understand Japan itself.
It is a timeless philosophy that accurately reflects both ancient
Japan and the present-day Japanese, with their many complex and
often contradictory character traits.
Under
its modern exterior, I discovered a land of contradictions –
a place where high-tech assembly lines churn out cars onto roads
barely wide enough to drive on.
The
most punctual train system in the world run by staff who calculate
change on an abacus.
Vending machines that offer everything from batteries to used
panties -- and condoms that are sold based on the user's blood
type.
The result, Japanland, provides a rare glimpse behind
the tatemai, or external image, to see the honne, or true inner
character of Japan.
For twelve months I traveled from one end of the country to the
other, living among the people and exploring both Japan’s
ancient cultural heritage and its modern ways.
I brought certain skills with me to Japan. In addition to learning
Japanese, I had spent the last nine years studying judo. Because
martial arts are highly respected in Japan, this opened many doors
into Japanese life, allowing me to integrate into areas of society
rarely seen by foreigners. 
samurai mounted archery team and learned how to handle a longbow
on a galloping horse. I filmed the ancient art of swordmaking
under a 24th generation master. I made a 900-mile pilgrimage in
the footsteps of Japan’s most famous saint, and helped light
ten thousand floating lanterns during Obon, the Festival of the
Dead.
food, guides, translators, sophisticated equipment, and short
tempers. I did the opposite. I carried everything I needed on
my back. I relied on the people, learned from them, shared their
meals, living conditions, and livelihoods. I was welcomed into
the homes of rural fishermen, potters, and farmers living in remote
villages carved out of steep mountain slopes. Along the way I
studied Bushido, the ancient samurai warrior's code of conduct.
To understand Bushido is to begin to understand Japan itself.
It is a timeless philosophy that accurately reflects both ancient
Japan and the present-day Japanese, with their many complex and
often contradictory character traits.
Under
its modern exterior, I discovered a land of contradictions –
a place where high-tech assembly lines churn out cars onto roads
barely wide enough to drive on.
The
most punctual train system in the world run by staff who calculate
change on an abacus. 