Free Documentaries Online

This is an informative documentary about Japan’s fascinating history. Divided into three separate parts it covers everything from when the Portuguese arrived in 1543 to 1854 with the arrival of Perry and the Americans. Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire is narrated by Richard Chamberlain and features compelling interviews with Japanese and Western academies. It also combines period art work with reenactments to truly bring the history of Japan to life.

Part I of this amazing documentary centres around the Momoyama period of the civil war through Nobunaga to Hideyoshi. It uncovers the rise of Tokugawa Ieasu and concludes with historical take over of Osaka castle in the year 1615. Part II takes viewers back to 1603 to examine the Tokugawa Shogunate and then 1638 for the Shimabara rebellion. This eventually led to the closure of Japan under Ieasu’s grandson. Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire showcases how the Western influence, inclusive of Christianity is significant during this time period of Japan’s history.

Lastly viewers are taken to the period of Japanese isolation. Covering the time period of the Dutch concession in Nagasaki harbour right up to the arrival of the American Commodore Matthew Perry in 1854. During this period the merchant class rises and the Samurai class declines. The Japanese culture begins to flourish and Edo, also known as Tokyo becomes the largest city in the world. This is Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire.