Japan (1953)

[Music] la [Music] no this isn't ebitz field or Yankee Stadium it's baseball in Japan it's the Japanese World Series in Tokyo with a Japanese home run King rounding the bases today American baseball is one of Japan's great National Sports strange not at all in the land of nipon East often Meets West with interest [Music] [Applause] results symbolic of Japan both the Old and the new and one of its most famous landmarks is fujiama fujiama the perfect one the symmetrical sacred [Music] Mountain actually Japan is a paradox a land of modern ways and ancient Traditions always the Japanese have been a deeply religious people and since the 6th Century Buddhism has flourished in these ancient islands of the dis East but of all the Buddhas of Japan the great Buddha of Kamakura the mighty dutu is one of the most famous this Majestic image cast in Bronze in the year 1252 is an inspiring symbol of a religion born in India Japan is also renowned for its historic festivals or Pageants the figure and the costumes are reminiscent of those colorful and well-remembered days of the Samurai it is like seeing history come to life these picturesque and colorful dedications to the Past another part of the Paradox which is Japan cherry blossom time who hasn't heard of this Japanese tradition as eternally beautiful as the Everlasting Miracle of spring here here is the picture postcard Japan come to glowing magic life here indeed the glory and the Grandeur of Nature's historic [Music] pageantry but Japan is also making modern history like Tokyo's massive maruno Uchi building like her stately and impressive daichi building epitomizing the New Japan then there are the people destined to make history of their own the Ginza Tokyo's Fifth Avenue is part of the modern [Music] Japan but the old and the traditional are never far away in another section of the capital just beyond the bridge called meani Bashi the bridge of spectacles Rises the Imperial Palace home of Emperor Hirohito symbol of an ancient Dynasty Shintoism the religion combining nature and ancestor worship is native to Japan and koto's hayen Shrine a famous Rendevous of the faithful here touring school children who travel extensively as part of their curriculum visit the hallowed Temple once again the old and the new and now it's National Diet building where the House of Representatives and the house of counselors dedicated to democratic principles are helping Forge a free Nation [Music] the Japanese are a nation of Sportsmen and sports lovers here it's bicycle racing at Tokyo's famous korak kuen VR scene of many a thrilling sports event these gruelling contests of bicycles and biceps are run very much like horse races The Spectators betting on favorite and long shot and the fever and the excitement run high as the flying Riders fight for that coveted [Music] win when it comes to sport the Japanese will tackle just about any and when it comes to tackling that includes Good Old English rugby sometimes called just PL [Applause] [Music] murder this slam bang action sport this mauling melee of kick and run appeals to the Hardy [Applause] Japanese the idea is to keep the ball and the advantage it's one game where the better team has to be better to win he's on his way the final goal and final Victory American football another game adopted by the sports-minded Japanese another proof that the sports of the West are becoming increasingly popular on the playing fields of the East baseball rugby football soccer the Japanese play them all in that Democratic and friendly fraternity of competitive [Music] Sports hydroplane racing with a fast stepping Thunderbolts matching speed and daring in a roaring rata and if this isn't drill enough the eager Japanese can always try skiing on the snowy slopes of akakura that exciting playground in the Japanese [Music] Alps here is the Sun Valley of the Far East a skier's [Music] paradise here an ancient Scandinavian Pastime in an ancient Oriental setting yet another part of that fascinating Paradox that is paradoxical Japan the white Hills are calling the snowbirds on the wing in the mountains of akakura sumo wrestling native sport of ancient nipon is Maul and Mayhem Japanese style though somewhat similar to other types of wrestling with their tough tactics and their hardworking referee Sumo follows a code of rules dating far back into history this Oriental exhibition in the art of flip and fall also has its comedy and its capers it's not only acrobatic but plenty dramatic with even Grandpa getting Mighty emphatic as for the action in the attraction there's no lack of that it's a grudge battle each man showing his muscles and his sentiments all in sport of [Music] course such is Japan where the Ageless ways of the East meet and mingle with the modern ways of the West a land of strange and exotic contrast far beyond the Western Ocean Japan bull workk of freedom in the Restless Orient making her place in this world of ours