Japanology Plus

Season 4, Episode 10

Episode Title: Buddhist Altars

Air Date: 2017-04-04

Overview:

A Buddhist altar, or butsudan, is a feature of many homes in Japan. Family members kneel before them seeking guidance from the realm of enlightenment, and engaging with memories of lost loved ones. Many butsudan are made by teams of expert artisans. Our expert guest is Kazunori Jokai, the 11th generation owner of a butsudan supplier that's been in business for 300 years. And in Plus One, some of the various forms that contemporary butsudan are taking to match modern lifestyles and interiors.