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For 250 years, Japan has thrived, largely cut off from western influence – until US gunboats arrive. In the face of an industrialised west, how will reformers, the shogun and the samurai class react?

A look at the dramatic collision between Japan’s samurai class and the industrialised west in the mid-19th century, explored through the characters of US naval commander Commodore Matthew Perry, eager to establish a US-Japan trade route; the shogun, the Japanese ruler, aiming to keep his grip on power; and the samurai Saigo Takamori, a Japanese warrior and reformer dedicated to protecting Japan’s independence.

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59 minutes

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Last on

Sun 21 Dec 202500:50

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Credits

RoleContributor
NarratorSophie Okonedo
ShogunYuya Sato
SaigoJoshua Jo
DirectorPatrick Dickinson
ProducerJack Levy
Production ManagerEmma Hyland
Series ProducerAnthony Mitchell
Executive ProducerAlexander Leith

Broadcasts

  • Mon 15 Dec 202521:00
  • Wed 17 Dec 202521:00
  • Thu 18 Dec 202523:00
  • Sun 21 Dec 202500:50

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