Akira

Years before Akira Kurosawa changed the face of cinema with such iconic works as Rashomon, Seven Samurai, and Yojimbo, he made his start in the Japanese film industry with four popular and exceptional works, created as World War II raged. All gripping dramas, those rare first films - Sanshiro Sugata; The Most Beautiful; Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two; and The Men Who Tread on the Tiger’s Tail - are collected here and include a two-part martial arts saga, a portrait of female volunteers helping the war effort, and a kabuki-derived tale of deception. These captivating films are a glorious introduction to a peerless career.

An in depth look at the making of Kurosawa's films. The series was produced by Kurosawa’s long-time aide Teruyo Nogami and features interviews

An in-depth look at the making of Kurosawa's films. In this episode, the discussion centres on Seven Samurai.

A riveting psychological thriller that investigates the nature of truth and the meaning of justice, Rashomon is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made. Four people give different accounts of a man’s murder and the rape of his wife, which director Akira Kurosawa presents with striking imagery and an ingenious use of flashbacks. This eloquent masterwork and international sensation revolutionized film language and introduced Japanese cinema—and a commanding new star by the name of Toshiro Mifune—to the Western world.

When Akira Suei was little, his mother had an affair with a young man who lived next door. Akira's mother and the young man killed themselves by using dynamite.

Eric Gorges travels across the United States to gain insight into craftsmanship in the 21st century. Focusing on the history of a traditional craft and its importance in the U.S. today, episodes include interviews with master craftsmen and women, who explain why they chose their craft and the importance of keeping these traditions alive.

Ihei Misawa and his wife Tayo, stranded by rains at a country inn, bring a great deal of happiness to the other residents of the inn by means of Ihei's generosity and good spirit. Ihei is a masterless samurai and fencing expert. Ihei comes to the attention of Lord Shigeaki, who hires him as fencing instructor for Lord Shigeaki's men. But Ihei's expertise causes friction and jealousy in Shigeaki's castle and his future there comes into doubt…