On the rooftops of the city: Tokyo | Documentary | ARTE
In this episode: Tokyo seems to expand almost endlessly. 38 million people live in an area the size of Corsica. In the heart of this gigantic metropolis, on the shores of Tokyo Bay, lies the former imperial capital. The quintessential Japanese encounter between tradition and modernity also plays out on the rooftops here.
Tea ceremonies and competitive sports: High above the ground, on the rooftops of the Japanese metropolis of Tokyo, ancient traditions are cultivated and new trends are introduced. In Otsuka, a district in the north of the city, one can witness one of the oldest Japanese rituals: Chado, or the tea ceremony. Ms. Hikichi has dedicated her entire life to this ancient tradition. In Hino, on the roof of the Renseikaikan dojo, the martial art of Kendo is practiced under the expert guidance of Master Azumori Toyomura. Kendo is the modern form of the traditional swordsmanship Kenjutsu, practiced by the samurai in feudal Japan. Today, it is a competitive sport. In the chic and tourist-friendly Ginza district, idyllic landscapes can be found on some rooftops. For example, a real rice paddy, planted and tended by Asami Oda, grows on the roof of a well-known sake producer every year. Hidden behind ventilation systems and pipes of all kinds are small altars, accessible only to initiates. These are primarily Shinto shrines, used to worship a kami, a deity or the spirit of a deceased ancestor. The Azabu-Juban district boasts numerous rooftop terraces, which tend to be rather tranquil. With one exception: the terrace of restaurateur Tetsuo Fujii, a specialist in himono, the ancient Japanese tradition of air-drying fish. On the roof of a Ginza building housing a famous French luxury brand, celebrity chef Alain Ducasse has created an elegant gourmet terrace, poetically named "Le Jardin de Tweed"—a tribute to Coco Chanel.
Documentary series, directed by Xavier Lefebvre (France 2016, 44 min)
#japan #tokyo #ontherooftops
Video available until March 11, 2022
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