Poster for the documentary Obaku. [Photo/Fujian Radio & Television Network]

A six-episode historical and cultural documentary titled Obaku, co-produced by Fujian Media Group in Southeast China's Fujian province and Japan's Nagasaki International Television Broadcasting, held its premiere in Tokyo, Japan, on May 23.

Attending the premiere, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao said, "Today, as we promote Obaku culture and commemorate Zen Master Yinyuan Longqi (1592-1673), we not only honor his great achievements but also carry on the spirit of our ancestors who dedicated themselves to Sino-Japanese friendship.”

The documentary Obaku will help deepen understanding of the history of the friendship between the two countries and enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, he said.

During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties (17th century), Yinyuan, a Zen master born in Fuqing, East China's Fujian province, and subsequent travelers who journeyed to Japan, introduced various aspects of culture such as architecture, sculpture, painting, calligraphy, seal cutting, printing, music, cuisine, tea culture, medicine, and more, collectively known as "Obaku culture" by Japanese academia in later years.

In September 2022, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the friendship between Fujian province and Nagasaki prefecture, Fujian Media Group and Nagasaki International Television Broadcasting began work on the documentary Obaku. The production team visited over 20 prefectures in Japan, meticulously crafting the documentary over the course of nearly three years, exploring the history of Obaku culture through valuable historical materials and innovative visual storytelling.

Wang Zhong, director of the Fujian Provincial Radio and Television Bureau, expressed his anticipation for people from both countries who hold a passion for Obaku culture to jointly uphold their cultural mission and continue writing a new chapter of friendly exchanges.

The premiere scene in Tokyo, Japan. [Photo/Fujian Radio & Television Network]