Atsuhime (2008 NHK Taiga Drama)
Disclaimer: This post is mainly only for Linda.
Every January since 1963 the Japanese public tv station NHK broadcasts a new, big-budget, year-long historical drama. Imagine if those BBC Jane Austen mini-series’ that Dad loves were 50 episodes long and there was a different one made every year! Now imagine next year’s was costarring Shun Oguri (Rui) as a samurai - which would be awkward, in a Jane Austen novel - but you get the point, man.
Anyway it’s called the Taiga (Big River) Drama, and Atsuhime which just ended this weekend was 2008’s offering. Starring Aoi Miyazaki (Hachi/”Small Loose” from the first NANA movie) as the princess Atsu, a young woman who became the wife of a shogun in the 1800s and ascended to the highest rank of the inner palace in Edo castle, it was apparently pretty righteous. I don’t honestly think I’m going to get around to watching it but Eita (Mine from Nodame! That other guy Misaki Itoh likes in Sapuri!) looks so bloody brilliant in the bald wig that I needed to post this image. Also, Shun Oguri next year what what. Are you into it?
