To mark the 400th anniversary of Japanese-Dutch relations, Liesbeth de Bakker focuses on scientist Philipp Franz von Siebold (1796-1866) who left behind beautiful collections of thousands of Japanese plants, animals and other objects. They were brought to the Netherlands in the early 19th century and are now a source of study for Japanese scholars. Liesbeth visits the National Ethnology Museum in Leiden, the National Herbarium in Leiden and the National History Museum in Leiden and talks with experts about von Siebold’s legacy. Her guests also include a Japanese scientist and a Japanese student.
Producer: Liesbeth de Bakker
Broadcast: November 2000