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Hiroshi66
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Sylia74 ~ Wow, that's really sad about how the Yamauchi clan of Tosa mistreated the samurai there. No wonder Ryoma made those comments to Naogoro in last night's episode about deserting his clan and working by himself to reform and improve the country.
Zashibear ~ No problem! Here's the summary for Episode 42:
#42 - The Death of a Son
 
Naogoro has found out that Ryoma was injured by the shogunate police who discovered that he had mediated some sort of an alliance between Satsuma and Choshu, so he runs over to see him. Ryoma is being nursed back to health by his wife, Oryo. Saigo and Okubo are there as well. Ryoma says that he's not sure if the shogunate is aware of Satsuma's alliance with Choshu, but he has no intention of doing anything differently. Naogoro invites Ryoma and Oryo to Satsuma, so that they can keep a low profile for a while (and Ryoma can also recover from his wounds). Meanwhile, Naogoro tells Okoto that he will be leaving Kyoto for Satsuma. She says that she might decide to tag along, but Naogoro then tells her that he needs to discuss something important with her, but she refuses to hear any of it and says that if it's important, he can tell her once he returns from Satsuma. She then runs out of the room, a very sad expression on her face.
In the Ooku, Tenshoin is introduced to her new attendant, Karahashi. Karahashi's family (her father is a doctor) is from Kyoto, so she is becoming Tenshoin's attendant so that she can keep him updating on how Shogun Iemochi is doing in Osaka. Now, Tenshoin has two attendants - Shigeno and Karahashi. There has still been no news from the Shogun, and everybody in the Ooku is very worried -- especially Kazunomiya. She spends hours praying and gazing at her picture with the Shogun. Meanwhile, Lady Honjuin and her sidekick, Utahashi, begin having a sake party with loud music to liven up the sad and lonely mood in the Ooku. Takiyama and Lady Niwata are outraged at first by the fact that Honjuin is hosting a party while the Shogun is away battling, but Tenshoin points out that Honjuin is trying to make the Ooku happy and is doing it out of the goodness of her heart. Tenshoin and Kazunomiya then go back to praying for the Shogun's safety.
Meanwhile, Yoshinobu in Osaka meets with Okubo, and asks him why Satsuma is not sending troops to battle Choshu. Okubo keeps feigning ignorance and avoiding Yoshinobu's questions, but finally says that because Satsuma is guarding the Imperial Palace, they can't move troops to battle Choshu (Okubo doesn't reveal the secret Satsuma alliance with Choshu). Yoshinobu loses his patience and leaves the room, angrily. After Iemochi hears the news that Satsuma has refused to send troops to battle Choshu, he becomes very uneasy and tells his attendants to summon Katsu to Osaka at once. He then clutches his chest and collapses..
Katsu is released from house arrest and meets with Lady Tenshoin in the Ooku. He tells her that he is on his way to Osaka to meet with the Shogun, and Tenshoin wonders why Iemochi summoned him so suddenly. Tenshoin then asks Katsu more about Satsuma's alliance with Choshu, and Katsu tells her very frankly that times are changing, and that nothing can stop the flow of time. Tenshoin expresses to Katsu her concern that Satsuma and Choshu may attack the shogunate one day, but Katsu says he highly doubts that. In any event, he leaves the room and promises to tell Iemochi that the entire Ooku is eagerly awaiting his safe return.
Back in Satsuma...
Naogoro, Ryoma, and Oryo arrive and meet with Naogoro's wife, Ochika. Naogoro later tells Ochika the truth about his relationship with Okoto in Kyoto. Ochika is furious and says that she knew something was amiss. Naogoro promises to break up with Okoto. Ryoma and Oryo overheard the entire exchange. Later that day, the two couples head to Kirishima Hot Springs, where Ryoma can nurse his wounds. Ryoma and Naogoro have a long talk about the flow of time and how the days of the samurai may be coming to an end. Naogoro talks about the heavy burden he carries on his shoulders as a Councillor to the Satsuma clan, and Ryoma says that even though he deserted his clan and is independent, that is quite strenuous as well.
Meanwhile, in another room, Oryo is talking leisurely with Ochika. Oryo says that she knows that Naogoro told the truth to Ochika about his affair in Kyoto. She goes on to talk about her relationship with Ryoma and how she is has met a "one-of-a-kind" man, and that even though he lives such a risky lifestyle, she still loves him as long as he is alive. Ochika is deeply moved by this and says that she feels a lot better after talking to Oryo - she's happy as long as the man she loves, Naogoro, is alive. Ryoma and Oryo later leave for Kyoto, and Naogoro tells Ryoma that he is planning to later begin wearing a Western hairstyle (since he said he's tired of being asked about his topknot when he meets with Westerners.) After they leave, Ochika tells Naogoro that she knows he is very stressed out, and that he needs someone like Okoto near him in Kyoto. She's okay with the relationship, "as long as he is alive". Ochika surves Naogoro tea... it turns out to be very, very warm -- and Naogoro gets burned!
In the Ooku, Takiyama tells Tenshoin and Kazunomiya about Iemochi's illness. Kazunomiya is deeply worried, and she writes a letter to Emperor Komei to send a doctor over to Osaka immediately. She also writes a letter to Iemochi, wishing him good health and safety. Tenshoin also has Karahashi send a Chinese medicine doctor to Osaka Castle as well. Meanwhile, by mid-1866, the battle between Choshu and the Tokugawa has began. Katsu finally reaches Osaka, and is summoned by Iemochi, now bedridden. Iemochi is very excited to see him, and shows him the gift that he has bought for Kazunomiya -- a beautiful purple kimono from Kyoto. He is sad because he has not had a chance to buy a gift for his mother, Tenshoin yet, but Katsu tells him that what she wants more than anything is his safe return.
In the Ooku, Kazunomiya finally allows for Tenshoin to pray with her for Iemochi's safe return. Meanwhile, in Osaka Castle, Iemochi's condition has taken a turn for the worse. He collapses in Katsu's arms, telling Katsu that he feels that he has accomplished nothing -- not only as a shogun, but as a man. Katsu tells him that it is not true. Iemochi later dies in Katsu's arms, telling Katsu to take care of Tenshoin and Kazunomiya in the Ooku. He was 20 years old.
Meanwhile, Takiyama immediately notifies Tenshoin of Shogun Iemochi's death. Tenshoin can hardly believe her ears, and right away runs over to the room where Kazunomiya is praying. When Kazunomiya sees Tenshoin with a shocked expression and tears in her eyes, she knows that her husband has passed away. Tenshoin and Kazunomiya cry together, holding each other.
******
This was a really sad episode... namely because we saw Shogun Iemochi pass away at the young age of 20. Everybody in the Ooku, especially Tenshoin and Kazunomiya, were so eagerly awaiting his return. I was glad that Katsu was able to be with Iemochi in his final hours, though. Katsu is such a caring individual, so it was much better for Iemochi to be with him rather than alone.
What a surprise that Naogoro told Ochika about his relationship with Okoto! As Oryo said, Naogoro's good quality is that he tells the truth. Ochika was really affected by her conversation with Oryo though -- she said she is okay with the relationship as long as he stays alive. I wonder if Naogoro si going to uphold his promise about breaking up with Okoto, though?
We're now in mid-1866, and now that Shogun Iemochi has passed away, I wonder what will happen with the Choshu war? Satsuma is still refusing to send troops to aid the Tokugawa, so I wonder how everything will turn out.
Excellent episode... Episode 43 airs next Saturday! (12/6)
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11/30/2008, 7:38 am
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nchristi
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
class blockquote Hiroshi66 wrote:
I read somewhere that Shogun Iemochi passed away of Beriberi, a vitamin B deficiency. Ironically, I think that Shogun Iesada passed away from this very same illness. While watching Iemochi declining in Kyoto, I was wondering how any of those high-ranking officials could have good health. It doesn't seem most of them get sufficient sunshine, fresh air, or food to be healthy or recover when hit by a serious illness. Being confined in those dark, confined rooms would be a death sentence all on its own. It was a heartbreaking scene of Iemochi dying in Katsu's arms. At least he had Katsu (in the drama anyway). class blockquote from Wisegeek.com:
Beriberi has probably been around for millennia, but has only been given a name in the past few hundred years. The name is Sinhalese for “I cannot, I cannot,” probably referring to the fatigue and lassitude often experienced by those with the disorder. Two Dutch physicians, Bontius and Nicolaas Tulp, wrote the first clinical descriptions of the disease in 1642. However, it was 200 or more years later that the disorder was recognized as related to diet.
Beriberi was first most commonly seen in Japan and in other countries where a diet of white rice was the staple food. Polishing the husks from rice destroys the B1 component. In that day and age, poor people mixed their rice with barley, and so escaped beriberi. It was largely a disease of the white-rice-eating upper class. Oriental sailors ate mostly white rice every day, and they were also prey to beriberi. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that scientists and doctors understood that beriberi was the result of a vitamin deficiency and that it was easily treated.
Beriberi comes in two forms, “wet,” which affects the heart, and “dry,” which affects the nerves. Beriberi can cause heart failure and paralysis when left untreated. Happily, it is easy to add thiamine to the diet. Consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit, legumes and meat will all help to keep the disorder from developing. Vegetarians or vegans can easily add thiamine to their diets by eating brown rice. The "white rice diet" might also explain why Atsu and the Princess weren't immediately (or ever) pregnant.
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12/2/2008, 12:23 pm
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Hiroshi66
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Atsuhime #43 - A Daughter-in-law's Decision
 
I really enjoyed watching tonight's episode. Even though it was very sad to see the entire Ooku (especially Tenshoin and Kazunomiya) grieving over Shogun Iemochi's passing, I did like to see the birth of what seems to be a new and loving relationship between Tenshoin and Kazunomiya. Horikita Maki, the actress who plays Kazunomiya, is also doing a really great job in this drama. I think I read somewhere that this was her first role in a historical drama, but she did well portraying how crushed and depressed Kazunomiya was after becoming a widow and losing her husband.
Since Shogun Iemochi passed away, it was mentioned during the episode that the war against Choshu was abandoned, and a truce was negotiated. Now, it looks like Yoshinobu has been named as the next Shogun to succeed Iemochi. No wonder Tenshoin was so upset -- even though Iemochi had named the four-year old Tayasu Kamenosuke as his heir, his decision was overturned since Yoshinobu was older and more politically adept. How ironic that almost ten years after the original shogun succession crisis, Yoshinobu finally is able to become shogun. I still don't care much for Shogun Yoshinobu, though... there is something very sneaky and sly about the looks of him.
Back in Satsuma...
Wow, what's up with Naogoro's new hair-do? I was surprised when I saw that he wasn't wearing his samurai hairstyle, and it looks like he grew his hair out, too. I was even more surprised upon seeing that Okoto gave birth to Naogoro's child. What bad timing for Naogoro... especially since he had promised Ochika that he would break up with Okoto as soon as he returned to Kyoto. The best laid plans! Now Naogoro will have a lot of added responsibility in Kyoto to both his son and Okoto. I do feel very bad for Ochika, though... as soon as she thought that her husband was going to end his affair, she gets news that he now has Okoto's son. She must feel helpless, being so far away from him in Satsuma while he is with Okoto and his new son in Kyoto. Like Oryo mentioned to Sakamoto Ryoma... should she feel happy for Okoto or sad for Ochika?
That scene with Yoshinobu's "meeting" with Hisamitsu and the rest of the major clan leaders was interesting. Even though the point of the meeting was to negotiate on reform and for the Tokugawa to "forgive" Choshu, it looked like Yoshinobu had little to no intention of sharing his administrative duties. Iwakura was right -- Yoshinobu is not easily fooled or manipulated. I found the scene where Okubo and Saigo expressed to Naogoro their desire to overthrow the Tokugawa and kill Yoshinobu. I guess they feel this way because of Yoshinobu's stubborn attitude in hogging the power of administration and not forgiving Choshu. I wonder how this will all turn out
I was surprised when Takiyama told Tenshoin that Shogun Yoshinobu won't be entering Edo Castle, and will be administering the country from Kyoto. His wife won't be entering the Ooku, either -- much to Lady Honjuin's elation, LOL!
Poor Kazunomiya. She really faced a triple blow, especially now that Emperor Komei, her brother, passed away. Over the last year and a half, she lost her mother and her husband. Now, to add, she's also been notified that the Emperor Komei, has died in Kyoto. It reminds me of how Atsu was notified of Shogun Iesada and Nariakira's death at the same time.
It was so upsetting to see Kazunomiya open up Iemochi's final present to her -- the purple kimono. In the end, it looks like Kazunomiya decided to take the tonsure after all. She ended up taking the Buddhist name, Seikanin. I think Kazunomiya couldn't stand being in Edo Castle without Iemochi, and that's why she wanted to return to Kyoto. Maybe she felt that if she returned there without taking the tonsure, it would erase her life in Edo, and she would feel that Iemochi was still alive.
That final scene where Kazunomiya/Seikanin met with Tenshoin was very beautifully done, though. I was so touched to see Kazunomiya refer to Tenshoin as "Mother" for the very first time. I also liked the line where Tenshoin told Kazunomiya that she only comes off as strong because she feels that her late husband, Iesada, is always by her side. Maybe Kazunomiya feels that by living in Edo with Tenshoin, she can learn how to live the same way. I'm so happy that the two are finally on good terms, and it looks like the beginning of a close friendship between the two.
We're now in early 1867, and Yoshinobu has become the next Shogun. Kazunomiya/Seikanin has also expressed her decision to remain in Edo. I'm wondering how everything will turn out -- this taiga is just getting better and better! Episode #44 airs next Saturday, December 13th!
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12/6/2008, 10:43 pm
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nchristi
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Sad, watching this taiga winding down to the end. class blockquote Hiroshi66 wrote:
Wow, what's up with Naogoro's new hair-do? I was surprised when I saw that he wasn't wearing his samurai hairstyle, and it looks like he grew his hair out, too. It's really odd to see Naogoro with hair! I've always thought it quite marvelous how the actor has effectively portrayed Naogoro from a very young teenager all the way up to his current age as a man. Very well done. As for his hair, last week, I believe it was, he declared to his wife that he was now going to change his hair style away from the 'top knot' and have the full ponytail style like Sakamoto Ryoma. A very different look, indeed. class blockquote I was even more surprised upon seeing that Okoto gave birth to Naogoro's child. What bad timing for Naogoro... especially since he had promised Ochika that he would break up with Okoto as soon as he returned to Kyoto. The best laid plans!(No pun intended, I'm sure...  ) A shock and emotional injury to Ochika. On the other hand, haven't they been married for quite a number of years with no children born? In their society, Naogoro probably would have taken on another woman in order to produce an heir, so Ochika would have been obliged to be accepting of that. I wonder if Naogoro will continue to maintain two separate houses in Satsuma and Kyoto? It would probably be better for Ochika to have Okoto in Satsuma. Even if Naogoro's heart is with Okoto and her child, at least he will not be unfair to Ochika and she will have her position as the official wife. (In fact, wouldn't Ochika officially become the mother of her husband's heir, though produced by a mistress?) If Naogoro keeps Okoto elsewhere, Ochika will be leading a very lonely life all by herself in Satsuma.
It's rather sad watching all these historical events of the late 1800s. Reminds me of the great changes that are taking place both in our own global economy, the demise of the Soviet Union, etc. When inexorable change begins, there's no stopping the evolution into something else. To realize that the Shogunate and Ooku lifestyles are soon to forever change—even disappear—is not an easy transition our characters must endure, no matter how hard they may try to fight against what they don't clearly recognize yet.
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12/7/2008, 1:08 pm
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11/30/2009, 7:39 am
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Las Vegas Vacations