Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55
Hiroshi66
Moderator
Global user (premium)
Registered: 02-2004
Location: Northridge, California
Posts: 8802
|
|
Quote
|
|
Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Nchristi, I feel the same way about Kazu. It's very sad to see her in such an extremely difficult position. On one hand, she is expected to follow the wishes of her brother, the Emperor, in convincing her husband to expel the foreigners. On the other hand, she adores her husband, the Shogun, despite his feelings that expelling the foreigners is impossible. That's why I was so relieved to see Kazu's mother, Lady Kangyouin, tell her daughter that she shouldn't go against her own feelings, and that it would be all right for her to ask the Emperor to allow Iemochi to return to Edo. Hopefully, that decreased Kazu's feelings of being torn between the two sides.
That's true about Iemochi -- it does look like Kazu has taken a back seat to Tenshoin. When Iemochi finally returned from Kyoto, I was very surprised to see him visit Tenshoin before he went to see his own wife. Tenshoin seems to have a lot more influence on Iemochi than Lady Honjuin did on the late Iesada. I think that's why Kazunomiya was so distressed with Tenshoin's major role in Iemochi's decision of going to Kyoto. Though Tenshoin loves Iemochi, I think Kazunomiya realized that Iemochi is very heavily influenced by Tenshoin.
|
|
11/9/2008, 1:14 pm
|
|
Hiroshi66
Moderator
Global user (premium)
Registered: 02-2004
Location: Northridge, California
Posts: 8802
|
|
Quote
|
|
Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Atsu-hime - Episode #40
Son goes to battle
 
I just finished watching last night's episode. Though the last half-hour or so was really sad, it was nice to see Saigo back from exile! After two years, it looks like he was finally forgiven by Hisamitsu, and was allowed to join Okubo and Naogoro in Kyoto. He was even given a military promotion. I guess Hisamitsu was elated by Satsuma's victories in Kyoto, and thus decided it would be all right to lift Saigo's punishment.
It was interesting to see how complicated the political alliances/rivalries are getting -- especially between Satsuma, Choshu, and the Tokugawa. In yesterday's episode, we saw that Satsuma finally regained its political influence in Kyoto from Choshu. Choshu responded by attacking the Imperial Palace and tried to regain power from Satsuma by attacking the Imperial Palace (the Hamaguri Rebellion). What I found most interesting was that Satsuma joined forces with the Tokugawa forces (led by Yoshinobu) in defeating Choshu. I didn't think that Satsuma would ever ally with the Tokugawa. But it looks like the alliance helped the Shogunate defeat Choshu's rebellion in Kyoto.
We were introduced to Okoto, a Kyoto geisha who seems to have taken quite a liking to Naogoro. She appears to be very persistent, even "staking out" outside Naogoro's residence in Kyoto. I don't think Ochika back in Satsuma would appreciate Naogoro's friendship with Okoto, even though Naogoro was doing his best to avoid being alone with her. What I found most interesting about their scenes together was that Naogoro asked Okoto if she "can play the game of go". After he expressed a little disappointment when Okoto answered that she cannot, I got the feeling that after all these years, Naogoro still hasn't completely gotten over his love for Atsu, despite the fact that he has a loving wife like Ochika in Satsuma.
We also saw Naogoro meet with Sakamoto Ryoma in Kyoto. The meeting appeared successful, especially since Katsu and Ryoma were looking for someone to sponsor their naval training site (since the shogunate refused to aid Katsu after he took in some students who were from Choshu). Now, Naogoro has decided to allow for Satsuma to sponsor Katsu's and Ryoma's naval training site (including taking in the Choshu students). It was nice of Naogoro and Satsuma to take in the Choshu students- especially since Satsuma had just went to war against Choshu. Katsu and Ryoma must be happy, too!
In the Ooku, it must have been extremely difficult for Kazunomiya to deal with her false pregnancy. She seemed so excited and happy when she thought she was expecting Shogun Iemochi's child, but it must have been extremely vexing and depressing for her to cope with the fact that it was a mistake. I thought Tenshoin meant well by encouraging Kazunomiya and giving her baby toys. Though it was too early to do so, I think Tenshoin was trying to give Kazunomiya a glimpse of the feelings of motherhood that she herself was never able to experience. Unfortunately, the pregnancy turned out to be false.
What I did notice was that Lady Kangyouin, Kazunomiya's mother, seemed to be acting a lot nicer towards Tenshoin than in previous episodes. I think what caused Kangyouin's change of attitude was when she saw how strongly Tenshoin opposed Takiyama's idea of choosing a concubine for Iemochi. Kangyouin must have appreciated Tenshoin's disagreement with getting Iemochi a concubine, especially since Kazunomiya and Iemochi were getting so much closer. It might have also been the first time we saw Kazunomiya open up to Tenshoin about her true feelings.
It was interesting to see Emperor Komei address Yoshinobu and order him to invade and crush Choshu. I guess the court still has not forgiven Choshu for aiming their guns towards the Imperial Palace. Now, Iemochi and Yoshinobu will lead the army to invade Choshu. I wonder how Satsuma will react to this?
I enjoyed the last scene with the camera being brought into Edo Castle. I wonder if there was actually a picture taken of Iemochi, Kazunomiya, and Tenshoin. In any event, Kazunomiya seemed crushed by the news of Iemochi leaving Edo to go to battle in Choshu. I don't think Kazunomiya expected Iemochi to be leaving for battle, especially since he had been in Edo for so long.
We're now in early 1865, and Shogun Iemochi is preparing to leave Edo so that he can lead the Tokugawa invasion of Choshu. Episode #41 airs next Saturday! (11/ 22)
|
|
11/16/2008, 8:59 am
|
|
brad6
Member
Global user
Registered: 07-2004
Posts: 2266
|
|
Quote
|
|
Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Regarding the photo session.
I was looking for the photographer to take a photo of Atsuhime alone. There is a photo of the real Atsu in her bio. and I thought maybe this would be when it was taken. However there is no photo of the Shogun and his wife and mother that I could find anywhere on the internet.
I also hope that the apparent growing warmth between Atsu and Kazunomiya is actually a true historical fact. I thought they were never close.
Peg
|
|
11/16/2008, 11:34 am
|
|
Hiroshi66
Moderator
Global user (premium)
Registered: 02-2004
Location: Northridge, California
Posts: 8802
|
|
Quote
|
|
Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Peg, I was thinking the same thing about the photo session! I thought that the photo of Atsu by herself would be taken during the photo session scene, but it looks like the only photos taken were with Shogun Iemochi and Kazunomiya. I wonder if the 3 taking a picture together actually took place?
Vannessave, that's true -- looks like Okoto and Wakaba are played by the same actress! When I first saw Okoto in last night's episode, I thought she looked quite familiar, but I didn't remember where I had seen her in a drama until I read your post. I just checked DramaWiki, and it looks like her name is Harada Natsuki. Now, instead of referring to her as Okoto, I'm tempted to call her Wakaba! 
|
|
11/16/2008, 7:47 pm
|
|
diane18
Member
Global user
Registered: 02-2007
Posts: 329
|
|
Quote
|
|
Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
class blockquote Hiroshi66 wrote:
Peg, I was thinking the same thing about the photo session! I thought that the photo of Atsu by herself would be taken during the photo session scene, but it looks like the only photos taken were with Shogun Iemochi and Kazunomiya. I wonder if the 3 taking a picture together actually took place?
Vannessave, that's true -- looks like Okoto and Wakaba are played by the same actress! When I first saw Okoto in last night's episode, I thought she looked quite familiar, but I didn't remember where I had seen her in a drama until I read your post. I just checked DramaWiki, and it looks like her name is Harada Natsuki. Now, instead of referring to her as Okoto, I'm tempted to call her Wakaba!
oh my goodness! i said that i swear i've have seen her before and could not put my finger on it.
thanks for recognizing who she was. I thought she was "eri-san" from Churasan(goyaman!!!)I have not seen a drama with her since "wakaba"!!!!!!!!! she is my next favorite japanese actress, second to yuki nakama!
|
|
11/17/2008, 9:07 am
|
|
Hiroshi66
Moderator
Global user (premium)
Registered: 02-2004
Location: Northridge, California
Posts: 8802
|
|
Quote
|
|
Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Yeah, Harada Natsuki, who plays Okoto/Wakaba, does a pretty good job! It was funny when Okoto came running into Naogoro's home as soon as she saw the "suspicious-looking" Ryoma come in. Naogoro's reaction and surprise at seeing her was funny, too.
Zashibear, I also noticed that last scene with Kazunomiya's mother Kangyouin. She seemed to be feeling very faint, especially when she fell down in the hallway as she and Niwata were walking. I hope that she's okay -- especially since she, Kazunomiya, and Tenshoin are finally starting to get along.
|
|
11/17/2008, 11:27 am
|
|
Add a reply
Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55
|
You are not logged in (login)
11/30/2009, 12:53 pm
|
|
|
Las Vegas Vacations