Japanology Plus (2014)

Season 3: Episode 13

Footwear has taken many different forms in many different cultures, but somehow Japan seems to have come up with more variety than most. Through the centuries, cleverly catering to existing or anticipated requirements, Japanese footwear has blossomed exotically into countless different forms, offering countless different functions. This time we look at the exhaustive variety of footwear that have developed in Japan. Peter Barakan visits a museum that showcases footwear from Japan and the world. Meanwhile, reporter Matt Alt shows us a great example of Japan's passionate attention to detail when he discovers the love and care that can be devoted to the simple act of polishing one's shoes.