Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire The Way of the Samurai (Season 1, Episode 1)
TV-PG
TV Episode | 56 min | Documentary, History

Primary photo for The Way of the Samurai

Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire

The Way of the Samurai (Season 1, Episode 1)

TV-PG

TV Episode | 56 min | Documentary, History

In the early 16th century, Japan is a warlike society ruled by samurai and their daimyo warlords. When Portuguese merchants arrive in 1543, they are the first Europeans to set foot in Japan. Missionaries quickly set out to convert the ...See moreIn the early 16th century, Japan is a warlike society ruled by samurai and their daimyo warlords. When Portuguese merchants arrive in 1543, they are the first Europeans to set foot in Japan. Missionaries quickly set out to convert the nation to Christianity. In the same year, a samurai boy named Tokugawa Ieyasu is born to a low ranking daimyo family. To prove his family's loyalty to their ruling warlord, Ieyasu is given as a hostage where he remains for most of his childhood. When he is finally freed, he reclaims his family's domain and allies himself with the most powerful rulers in Japan: Oda Nobunaga, and his successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi awards him a small fishing village named Edo, later to be known as Tokyo, and provides him with a vast area to rule. But Hideyoshi and Ieyasu are uneasy allies. On his deathbed, Hideyoshi, places Ieyasu in command until Hideyoshi's true heir--his young son, Hideyori--will rule. When daimyo rebels challenge Ieyasu's control, Tokugawa Ieyasu's samurai armies defeat them at the Battle of Sekigahara. The victory brings to Ieyasu the title of shogun. Ieyasu's only remaining obstacle for total control of Japan is Hideyori. In 1614, Ieyasu renounces his allegiance to Hideyori and attacks Osaka Castle, slaughtering more than 100,000. It is the beginning of a dynasty that will endure for more than 250 years. Written by Anonymous See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
18 cast members

Name	Known for
Michael Auslin Self - Nikko Toshogu Shrine Self - Nikko Toshogu Shrine See fewer	Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan (2021)
Beatrice M. Bodart-Bailey Self - Otsuma Women's University Self - Otsuma Women's University See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Richard Chamberlain Narrator Narrator See fewer	The Towering Inferno (1974)
Michael Cooper Self - Former editor, 'Monumenta Nipponica' Self - Former editor, 'Monumenta Nipponica' See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Ryonosuke Etoh Actress Actress See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Mariko Fujiwara Actress Actress See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Daisuke Igakura Actor Actor See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Eiko Ikegami Self - Otsuma Women's University Self - Otsuma Women's University See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
James Kent Actor Actor See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Isao Machii Actor Actor See fewer	Ozzy & Jack's World Detour (2016)
Alexei Podtheko Actor Actor See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Luke S. Roberts Self - UC Santa Barbara Self - UC Santa Barbara See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Toshihiro Satô Actor Actor See fewer	Science Fell in Love, So I Tried to Prove It (2019)
Cecilia Segawa Seigle Self - University of Pennsylvania Self - University of Pennsylvania See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Will Shin Japanese samurai (voice) Japanese samurai (voice) See fewer	Dine & Shine (2002)
Harutoshi Takafuji Self - Nikko Toshogu Shrine Self - Nikko Toshogu Shrine See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Shin Ya-nae Actor Actor See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)
Hirofumi Yamamoto Self - University of Tokyo Self - University of Tokyo See fewer	Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire (2004)