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Hiroshi66
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Atsu-hime 24 - The Unforgivable Princess Atsu
 
Tonight's episode sure had a lot going on! I liked that there was a lot of development not only for Atsu-hime and Shogun Iesada, but also for their relationship as a married couple.
I think that Atsu-hime is slowly earning Shogun Iesada's trust and respect. He comes to visit her on his own accord now, and even granted her request of having Yoshinobu present at the fated meeting with Townsend Harris. My favorite scene of the entire episode was probably when six-foot tall Harris first meets with the shogun. He sees Shogun Iesada, towering at his height seated on those tatami mats (with the ceremonial clothing and all!) I must say Shogun Iesada did look quite intimidating in that scene! But I loved Iesada's "fool performance" in his response to Harris. The actor who plays Iesada sure plays his role excellently and in a very believeable manner, also.
How clever of Atsu to think up that scheme of the tatami mats! She didn't let the fact that Harris refused on sitting down get to her, and instead worked around the situation. It seems that she is getting more and more politically adept and able.
Back in Satsuma...
I was glad that we were able to see Atsu's mom and brother again! And now, Saigo is being sent off to Edo again in order to help Yoshinobu's supporters. I wonder what Okubo will do. He seems so down in the dumps about not having a role like his friends do (Naogoro is the owner of the fief, Saigo is on a mission for Nariakira in Edo, etc.) He reminds me of how Naogoro was before he married Ochika.. wallowing in his sorrows of not having anything to do or any mission to accomplish.
And the icing on the cake..... Lady Honjuin. What a temper!!! MIL on the rampage sounds right! I can't believe she attacked poor Atsu-hime like that (and then proceeded to faint). Good thing Ikushima and Takiyama were there to help Atsu-hime. If Lady Honjuin hadn't fainted, I wonder what she would have done. I bet she would have proceeded to storm into the room where the meeting was being held and probably assaulted Harris, LOL!
Poor Oshiga... folding one thousand origami cranes. I guess now that Shogun Iesada and Atsu are becoming so close, she's becoming quite lonely.
My favorite quote from today's episode...
It fit in so well... when Ikushima told Atsu that she hoped Shogun Iesada would pay her a visit that night. Right then, the attendant entered and informed them that the Shogun was indeed coming to pay Atsu a visit. Atsu stares at Ikushima and nonchalantly asks "Have you studied witchcraft?"
We're now into October of 1857, and things are looking more difficult for Yoshinobu's supporters. Shogun Iesada seemed to make clear to Atsu that he dislikes Yoshinobu even more after the meeting. Yoshinobu didn't help either. He kept showing off his conceited and arrogant attitude all throughout the meeting with Harris. And then we have MIL on the rampage! I wonder how Atsu will deal with Lady Honjuin?
Episode 25 airs next week!
Last edited by Hiroshi66, 7/26/2008, 9:12 pm
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7/26/2008, 9:10 pm
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nchristi
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
I got a big kick out of Iesada last night. I was wondering how they were going to safely perch him atop of the stack of tatamis! He had the greatest expression on his face during the Harris audience—was that confident or what?! Then when he got irritated and became "the fool" again, that was priceless. I think it must be the first time I've ever actually laughed out loud during a taiga.
The Iesada actor is so fantastic, I just love him. Last week a friend walked through the room and glanced at the TV while Iesada was on-screen—someone who never watches Korean or Japanese programs. That guy reminds me of Yamanami, he says. That's because it IS Yamanami, I replied. I was shocked that he remembered the name Yamanami and the actor's face.
Also really liked the scenes between Iesada and Atsu. It's so wonderful to see Iesada as intellectually discerning and articulate as they're depicting him. At this point, I don't really care about history... I'm just thoroughly enjoying their relationship. One thing about this Iesada—he's no pushover. He knows his mind and listens to his instincts (processing both), while keeping his word to his wife.
Good thing Atsu rushed to intercept Iesada's mother. Without Lady Honjuin seeing Atsu and becoming instantly and completely infuriated with her, she wouldn't have collapsed and been removed to her quarters. Who knows what would have happened in the audience hall.
Of course, all this means a terrible storm is brewing for Atsu. No matter how much Iesada might want to protect her, can he? Living in the Ooku is a beast with its own life.
Lady Ikushima (sp?) certainly has a one-track mind. If it looks impossible for Atsu to sufficiently influence and change Iesada's mind, what then? It seems her only purpose in life is to make sure Yoshinobu is named heir. Does she have a reason to remain if Yoshinobu isn't named heir? Will she abandon Atsu and return to her own home? I'd sure hate to see Atsu alone in the Ooku, but I don't have much confidence in Ikushima after last night's episode.
But, I'll go back and luxuriate in rewatching a couple of last night's scenes...
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7/27/2008, 11:19 am
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Hiroshi66
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Nchristi, how interesting that your friend saw Iesada and remembered Yamanami! The actor who's played these two characters has done an excellent job. His mannerisms, facial expressions, and ways of talking are very distinct and believable. Iesada is one of my favorite characters from this taiga so far!
That's true about Ikushima's one-track mind. I've noticed that over the last few episodes, she's tended to ignore all of Atsu's achievements (strengthening her bond with Iesada, having Iesada meet with Yoshinobu twice, etc.). Instead, she's proceeded to relentlessly bug Atsu to continue convincing Iesada to name Yoshinobu heir. I like Atsu's approach better -- she's taking the matter very slowly and has decided to make her martial relationship stronger before she takes on the task of convincing Iesada to name Yoshinobu his heir.
But things are getting much harder for Atsu, especially since Iesada clearly has told her twice already that he dislikes Yoshinobu. I wonder why Ikushima can't understand that. I think the reason for Ikushima's pressure is because she's feeling the pressure herself from Shimazu Nariakira. I think Ikushima mentioned to Atsu in last night's episode that in the last letter he sent, Nariakira was getting impatient and concerned about Yoshinobu not having been named as the heir yet. I guess they don't understand that Atsu needs time in order to gain Iesada's trust and strengthen their relationship (which, luckily, she has been doing in the last couple of episodes.)
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7/27/2008, 12:35 pm
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hzmonte
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The actor who plays Iesada is very good
I think many of us would like to see a drama of its own on Shogun Iesada, played by this charming actor in Atsu-hime. He is funny and smart. And his voice is attractive, well reflective of his character. Historically, Iesada is said to have suffered from cerebral palsy. I admire the scriptwriters who could come up with this story line that he is just pretending to be a fool.
By the way, I notice that a couple of characters who play middle-aged women in this drama, such as Iesada's mom, wear a pony hairstyle. I have never seen that before. I like ponies.
Last edited by hzmonte, 7/27/2008, 1:12 pm
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7/27/2008, 1:04 pm
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Hiroshi66
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Hzmonte, I like that caption under Shogun Iesada's picture! 
I think those hairstyles were worn by women of the samurai classes who had taken the tonsure and became Buddhist nuns following the death of their husbands. I think in previous periods of Japanese history, women used to completely shave their heads when they became Buddhist nuns, but in later periods of Japanese history (such as in the Edo period), it was also acceptable to wear this distinct hairstyle.
I think in addition to Lady Honjuin (Iesada's mother), Atsu's mother in Satsuma, O-yuki, also wears this hairstyle, since her husband had also passed away.
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7/27/2008, 1:27 pm
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brad6
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Not sure if I am correct in thinking that sometimes a wife taking the tonsure would also go as a nun on long pilgrimages to various temples.She would walk ,usually alone, and wear plain priestly garb and a large straw hat with a long walking stick. I don't know if she would use the stick as in kendo.
I can't quite see ladies from the Ooku being allowed to wander the countryside . did this only refer to samurai women??
Or am I wrong about this.
Peg
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7/27/2008, 4:05 pm
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brad6
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
The storm clouds are gathering indeed for Atsu.
Why did Yoshinobu say he did not want to be a Shogun. Why is he so curt with Atsu and Iesada anyway. He knows the score in the various family situations. He must know there is a faction in his favour.
class reveal  class spoiler Also Yo****omi did become the Shogun so he must have had a stronger support which overwhelmed Atsu and Nariakira.
I wonder then if Yoshinobu became envious and then wished to be Shogun. All these young men died young from bad genes or sickness or poisonings it seems. Atsu did not die and ruled the Ooku roost with power for some time I think. It all gets so interesting and the writers have done so well to use the history and their imaginations to bring us such an intriguing drama.
Peg
Last edited by nchristi, 7/28/2008, 10:46 am
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7/27/2008, 4:15 pm
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CantGetEnough
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
class blockquote Then when he got irritated and became "the fool" again, that was priceless. I think it must be the first time I've ever actually laughed out loud during a taiga.I cracked up, too, when he told her "you're going to be upset with me" (probably not his exact words), but thought it great that he is being honest with her, when he told her he was doing pretty good then acted like a fool. 
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8/1/2008, 10:43 pm
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Hiroshi66
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Atsu-hime 25 - Mother's Mixed Emotions
 
Looks like Lady Honjuin's MIL rampage carried on throughout the episode. I can't believe she lied to Shogun Iesada about Atsu being ill and not able to see him. How funny that Iesada saw right through his mother's lie. I laughed at his comment that Honjuin's nostrils get bigger when she fibs.
Alls well that ends well, at least. Shogun Iesada came to see Atsu himself. I think that they have both fallen deeply in love with each other. Atsu seems to have great respect for Iesada not only as her husband, but as a person. The same could be said for Iesada towards Atsu. At least Honjuin didn't storm into the room and order Iesada back to his quarters.
Back in Satsuma...
I don't know, I found myself very disappointed in Saigo's character. I didn't understand what the point was of suggesting Okubo to come with him to Kumamoto. Okubo was asked to leave after a minute of being present at the meeting, so I wonder why Saigo had him come in the first place. Were his intentions good, even though they backfired? Or was it perhaps an attempt by Saigo to show off his position as a trusted retainer of Nariakira?
Whatever the case, Okubo seems to feel very strongly about the matter. Though he smiled at Saigo and wished him a safe trip to Edo, I think that his true feelings are filled with anger and even betrayal. The scene where he told his mother about becoming a demon was very powerful. So was her response... "Then I will become the mother of a demon".
Ikushima and her one-track mind are back! She keeps pushing for Atsu to convince Iesada to make Yoshinobu his heir. I think that her constant nagging was the reason why the Ooku became aware that Ikushima and Atsu are Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu's supporters. Ikushima might mean well, but she should leave things to Atsu to take care of at her own pace!
I wonder what was in Nariakira's letter that he gave to Saigo to deliver to Atsu.
I think the loser in everything is poor Oshiga. She was used by Lady Honjuin to replace Atsu when the Shogun visited the Inner quarters of the Ooku. Now that Atsu and Iesada have been able to see each other again, it looks like she is again being neglected.
We're still in 1857.. and Harris is still pushing to have the full opening of trade in Japan. Looking forward to next week's Episode 26!
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8/3/2008, 10:25 am
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