The NHK Tokushu documentary series The Silk Road began on April 7, 1980. The program started with the memorable scene of a camel caravan crossing the desert against the setting sun. Kitaro’s music imparted a sense of timelessness, and actor Ishizaka Koji’s resonant narration began with the phrase, “The Silk Road begins in Chang’an and ends in Chang’an.” NHK Tokushu broadcast this series over 10 years. It was the start of an epic televisual poem.The first journey described in the series began in Chang’an (now Xi’an), at the eastern end of the ancient route. On 450,000 feet of film, the … Continue reading The Silk Road– A Documentary by NHK Television