Navigating a World with Words

May 5, 2024

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Hometown Stories - S13 - E11

An improper diagnosis in early childhood led Shibasaki Akane to spend nearly half her life in a world without words. We follow her as she expands her horizons and moves toward an independent future.

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Hometown Stories: Season 13 - 28 Episode s

13x1 - Korean Family Meals for Rural Japan
January 7, 2024
There's a Korean restaurant in Northeastern Japan run by a woman from South Korea. She moved to the area over 30 years ago to marry a Japanese man. We follow her as she connects with local people.
13x2 - A School for Two
January 14, 2024
A shuttered elementary school reopened for just one family that moved back to their beloved hometown. We look at their joys and struggles, and local efforts to enliven a small fishing settlement.
13x3 - A Mosque in a Japanese Community
January 28, 2024
There is a mosque in western Japan where local Muslims gather to pray and seek help when they are troubled. For them, the mosque is like a second home that provides happiness and emotional support.
13x4 - Nagasaki's Long-Forgotten Choir
February 4, 2024
During World War II, a radio children's choir brought joy to its members and listeners alike. We uncovered the story of the teacher who led it, working to promote the cause of peace through music.
13x5 - Conquering Peaks on One Leg
February 18, 2024
A one-legged climber, who uses forearm crutches, aims to conquer two rugged peaks in central Japan at the same time. We find out what spurs him to take up the challenge and what views await him.
13x6 - Nepalese Students Find a Taste of Home
February 25, 2024
Nepalese students who are studying in Japan are finding community at a local store selling Nepalese goods. What challenges do they face as they pursue their dreams so far from home?
13x7 - Taxi Drivers in a Tsunami-hit Town
March 10, 2024
Twelve years after a massive quake and tsunami in northeast Japan, we followed taxi drivers in Kesennuma, one of the affected towns, to experience people's memories and hopes through their eyes.
13x8 - Life Lessons by a Crystal-Clear River
March 24, 2024
A small high school canoeing club trains hard every day. While persevering and improving their skills, they learn valuable life lessons in the clear waters of the Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture.
13x9 - Hiking Guide Connects Hearts
April 14, 2024
A popular hiking guide in northern Japan brings smiles to the faces of all her clients. What events from her past brought her to where she is today? And what is her secret for spreading happiness?
13x10 - New Approach to an Old Festival
April 28, 2024
In Nagasaki, a group of men practice for a traditional performance so tough that some have to drop out with injuries. Under their motto of "Smile," will they succeed and pass on the custom?
13x11 - Navigating a World with Words
May 5, 2024
An improper diagnosis in early childhood led Shibasaki Akane to spend nearly half her life in a world without words. We follow her as she expands her horizons and moves toward an independent future.
13x12 - Pearls for Remembrance
May 19, 2024
Families come to Ago Bay, central Japan, to have loved ones' ashes encased in pearls. They insert them into oysters so they can grow in the sea. We explore what has made families reach this decision.
13x13 - Forging Bonds Under a Starry Sky
May 26, 2024
What happens when people gather to gaze at the stars? Through a variety of programs, a Japanese organization enables a broad range of participants to learn more about the universe and themselves.
13x14 - From Seed to Shop: Grandma's Pickles
June 9, 2024
In Japan's snowy north, an elderly woman has been making pickles for 70 years. Now, she must learn to adapt to new laws and a warming climate. And her efforts seem to be paying off.
13x15 - New Face for a Centuries-Old Dance
June 30, 2024
In a mountain community in northeastern Japan, a 21-year-old man has decided to become the first successor of a traditional local Kagura dance in 50 years. We follow him as he prepares for his debut.
13x16 - Mending Hearts with Mandarin Oranges
July 7, 2024
A man in his seventies has been transporting fruit and supplies to places affected by the 2011 disaster. On his final journey, he shares emotional farewells with people whose lives he's made brighter.
13x17 - Holy Fire on the Mountain
July 21, 2024
About 1,500 local men in traditional white costumes run down a mountain path, lighting up the night with sacred torches, in a centuries-old fire festival in Shingu City, western Japan.
13x18 - A Ranch for Retired Racehorses
July 28, 2024
A famed former trainer runs a ranch where retired racehorses spend their final days in nature bringing comfort to human visitors. But then an earthquake brings uncertainty to their peaceful lives.
13x19 - Hiroshima's A-Bomb Survivor Trees
August 11, 2024
A tree surgeon in Hiroshima lovingly treats trees that live on around 8 decades after the A-bomb devastation. He intentionally leaves their scars intact as some of them near the end of their lives.
13x20 - A Year as a Young Rural Doctor
August 25, 2024
A young doctor undergoes training to develop skills to help rural communities. What kind of care do his patients need to live life to the fullest? We follow him in his search for answers.
13x21 - Carrying on in a Quake-hit Town
September 8, 2024
Five months after a big earthquake struck central Japan's Noto Peninsula, many residents have evacuated, but some stayed in their hometown. Faced with new challenges, they try to rebuild their lives.
13x22 - Modern Maiko Diaries
September 15, 2024
In the city of Sakata in northeastern Japan, maiko have entertained people for centuries. Now, a master of the art is helping younger women follow in her path, and gain confidence with every step.
13x23 - Leaving No Stone Unturned: A Potter's Quest
September 29, 2024
Potter Baba Kojiro uses stones from the quarry that is said to have produced Japan's first porcelain but was abandoned for centuries. What drives him to create pieces from this unique type of clay?
13x24 - Reviving a Pottery Tradition in Fukushima
October 6, 2024
13 years after the Fukushima disaster, a potter returns to his empty hometown to revive the local craft. His potter son works in the town he evacuated to. What does tradition mean to the two men?
13x25 - A Country Town's Woolly Heroes
October 20, 2024
In a depopulated mountain area, a woman raises sheep and makes wool products that have received international acclaim. We look at her work and the community's efforts to recapture its vitality.
13x26 - Making a Home in Osaka
October 27, 2024
Ikuno Ward, Osaka, has one of Japan's most diverse communities with people from all over the world. A local NPO provides them with help and tutoring, trying to ensure that everybody can live together.
13x27 - Together Through Dementia
November 10, 2024
A retired man with dementia and his wife struggle to address his worsening symptoms. Despite their challenges, and faced with an uncertain future, the two remain deeply devoted to one another.
13x28 - Living with the Bounty of the Sea: 13 Years on from the Tsunami
November 23, 2024
Since the 2011 tsunami, the population of Ogatsu, northeast Japan, has plummeted. We visit a fishing family and a traditional dancer who love their hometown and are trying to keep traditions alive.

13x1 - Korean Family Meals for Rural Japan

13x2 - A School for Two

13x3 - A Mosque in a Japanese Community

13x4 - Nagasaki's Long-Forgotten Choir

13x5 - Conquering Peaks on One Leg

13x6 - Nepalese Students Find a Taste of Home

13x7 - Taxi Drivers in a Tsunami-hit Town

13x8 - Life Lessons by a Crystal-Clear River

13x9 - Hiking Guide Connects Hearts

13x10 - New Approach to an Old Festival

13x11 - Navigating a World with Words

13x12 - Pearls for Remembrance

13x13 - Forging Bonds Under a Starry Sky

13x14 - From Seed to Shop: Grandma's Pickles

13x15 - New Face for a Centuries-Old Dance

13x16 - Mending Hearts with Mandarin Oranges

13x17 - Holy Fire on the Mountain

13x18 - A Ranch for Retired Racehorses

13x19 - Hiroshima's A-Bomb Survivor Trees

13x20 - A Year as a Young Rural Doctor

13x21 - Carrying on in a Quake-hit Town

13x22 - Modern Maiko Diaries

13x23 - Leaving No Stone Unturned: A Potter's Quest

13x24 - Reviving a Pottery Tradition in Fukushima

13x25 - A Country Town's Woolly Heroes

13x26 - Making a Home in Osaka

13x27 - Together Through Dementia

13x28 - Living with the Bounty of the Sea: 13 Years on from the Tsunami

S1: Season 1

S2: Season 2

S3: Season 3

S4: Season 4

S5: Season 5

S6: Season 6

S7: Season 7

S8: Season 8

S9: Season 9

S10: Season 10

S11: Season 11

S12: Season 12

S13: Season 13