Lanterns of the Past

The Edo period (1603–1868) was a time of peace, stability, and isolation in Japan under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate. Centered in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), it saw strict social order, a flourishing of arts like kabuki theater and ukiyo-e woodblock prints, and economic growth fueled by domestic trade. Foreign influence was tightly controlled, but within its borders, Japan developed a rich urban culture that shaped its identity for centuries.Even though this period is behind us, it interferes with the present, being challenging for many experts and enthusiasts. A small Japanese village hides a secret from the Edo period — a series of ancient lanterns with inscriptions that lead to a hidden treasure. Emi, a history enthusiast, visits to document the village but finds herself unraveling clues left by a long-forgotten samurai. This is really an interesting challenge for the young historian, it is an added impulse to dig deeper into the past and to discover something more about the history of Japan at that time.