Japan’s Master of Restoration

A museum in Osaka asks the Mayuyamas for help with artefacts currently hidden away in their archive. An exquisite 800-year-old celadon vase from China and a 16th-century Totoya Chawan tea bowl both require their expert attention to be brought back to life.

The father and son undertake the restoration of a ceramic horse from the Edo period. A previous restoration is now showing signs of age, and a new approach is needed.

The Mayuyamas travel to London to examine a priceless 18th-century Imperial Chinese flower vase. They hope studying the London vase can help them restore a very similar piece, which has a damaged neck covered by a mysterious metal plate engraved in English.