A+E Global Media teams up with Japanese cultural affairs agency for food doc The Art of Washoku

The Art of Washoku: Honoring Nature & the Seasons looks at the heritage of Japanese cuisine

A+E Japan, which sits within US-headquartered A+E Global Media, is teaming up with Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs on an hour-long documentary looking at the history of Japanese cuisine.

The Art of Washoku: Honoring Nature & the Seasons will premiere in multiple territories where A+E’s History brand is carried. The international roll-out will begin on March 8 on Sky History2 in the UK, followed by a pan-European release on Sky and History2 on March 29, History in South-east Asia on March 31 and History in Japan on May 4.

The documentary represents the first food-focused production from the Japanese agency, which sits within the country’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

The project explores the heritage of Japanese cuisine, including specialties such as the smoked and fermented pickled delicacy iburigakko, rice dish kiritanpo and traditional new year feast osechi-ryori.

“The visual beauty of Japanese food often captures our attention, but this programme goes a step further to reveal the fascinating history behind the ingredients, intricate tea ceremonies, traditional sweets, and even tableware and knives that are passed down from generation to generation and make the Japanese culinary experience so unique,” said John Flanagan, managing director of A+E Japan and South-east Asia.