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hzmonte
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J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
In tonight's episode, Atsu-hime asked Katsu to present a box to Saigo to persuade Saigo not to attack Edo. There appeared to be three white packages in the box.'Satsuma Governor'. Saigo did not open them but seemed to be very emotional seeing them. Does anyone who is knowledgble about Japanese culture know what was supposed to be in those little packages?
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1/10/2009, 9:46 pm
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Hiroshi66
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
#48 – Unconditional Surrender
 
I ended up recording last night’s episode and watching it early this morning. What an excellent episode. With three episodes remaining (counting last night’s episode), I can’t believe that this drama is almost over. Nonetheless, this drama continues to be excellent and suspenseful. I thought that the title for this episode was pretty interesting. UTB translated the title (無血開城, Muketsu Kaijou) as “Unconditional Surrender”, but it literally means “Bloodless Opening of the Castle”. My Japanese friend was telling me that they use this term quite a lot in Japan when discussing this time period in Japanese history.
Quite a lot happened in last night’s episode. Thanks to Katsu, Ikushima, and Tenshoin’s efforts, Saigo has decided to stop his bloody invasion of Edo Castle and wiping out the Tokugawa family. Instead, he’s decided to compromise and order for a bloodless surrender of the city of Edo as well as Edo Castle. Chessmaster Iwakura and Okubo, on the other hand, still feel that the presence of the Tokugawa family may threaten their new government. Naogoro seemed very happy that Saigo has had a change of heart, most likely due to reading Lord Nariakira’s letter.
Hzmonte, I was also wondering what those three envelopes were. I know that the final letter that Katsu gave to Saigo was Nariakira’s final letter to Tenshoin – something he had written before he passed away in 1858. I was thinking that the other three envelopes in the box could perhaps be miscellaneous letters that Nariakira had written to Tenshoin. Tenshoin predicted, correctly, that once Saigo saw Nariakira’s handwriting, he would be moved to the point of tears. And then Katsu would hand over Nariakira’s final letter, which ultimately caused Saigo’s change of heart. I could be wrong about the three envelopes, though – I don’t think it was ever actually mentioned what they exactly were.
Saigo’s change of heart – as Ikushima said, a letter from Nariakira would be the only thing that could change Saigo’s thinking. With reading Nariakira’s letter to Tenshoin, Saigo realized that the bloody invasion of Edo he was planning was not part of Nariakira’s will. He had, without realizing it, been going against his Lord’s will. Maybe Saigo had a “Eureka!” moment, finally understanding what Nariakira meant by “hatred breeds more hatred”. I still wonder why Okubo hasn’t had the same type of realization yet. Unlike Saigo and Naogoro, I don’t recall Okubo ever being that close to Nariakira. There was that one incident, where Saigo took Okubo along with him to meet a high-ranking samurai. The samurai met with Saigo alone, and Okubo had to wait outside. I think that was when Okubo declared to his mother that from “that moment on, he would be a demon.” That bitterness may still be deeply embedded in Okubo’s heart.
What a surprise to see Iesada again! Sakai Masato is such an awesome actor. Iesada helped Tenshoin snap out of it and realize that she did nothing wrong. Even if they had to leave the Ooku and Edo Castle, they would still be members of the Tokugawa family. I think Tenshoin has once more realized her duty to continue living for the Tokugawa family, even if they have to leave Edo Castle.
Though the Tokugawa family is now safe from annihilation, there is still the issue of evacuating and leaving Edo Castle for good. Edo Castle had been the home of the Tokugawa family for centuries, and even though everyone’s life would be spared, it was still a daunting affair. No wonder the women of the Ooku were so terrified – many of them had been living in the Ooku for decades and decades. It was their only home, and I’d imagine that many of the attendants would have nowhere to go. Tenshoin has once more asserted her authority as the Senior Ladyship of the Tokugawa family, and is taking charge of the transition and evacuation of the Castle. I wonder how this will all turn out.
Now Ikushima has met with Naogoro, and is trying to convince him to go meet with Tenshoin. I’m getting a bit worried about Naogoro’s foot, though…
Episode 49 airs next Saturday, 1/17!
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1/11/2009, 11:29 am
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Hiroshi66
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Yeah, I also loved that scene with Iesada! I think it was my favorite scene of the episode. Seeing her beloved husband again was the best thing for Tenshoin at this difficult point in time. She seemed to be having a very difficult time coming to terms with the fact that she needed to notify everyone in the Ooku of the surrender and of their impending evacuation of Edo Castle. In seeing Iesada, he helped her realize - What's important isn't the castle or the Tokugawa name, but the heart of the Tokugawa. Great scene. 
Nchristi, I'm also going to have a really difficult time saying goodbye to Atsuhime. It's gotten me very interested in this fascinating period of Japanese history. I think it's been a wonderful journey seeing how much our characters have developed over the years, especially Atsu and Naogoro. Great drama! I heard Miyazaki Aoi won quite a few awards for her role -- she deserved it! The whole cast did a wonderful job, along with the writing, music, and scenery/costumes.
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1/12/2009, 7:30 am
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Hiroshi66
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
#49 - Reunion Before the Meiji Era
 
I think tonight's episode had some of the saddest scenes we've seen so far in Atsuhime. With only one episode remaining, it's sad to think that the time has come for this excellent taiga drama to conclude after almost one year. With tonight's episode, we saw the final closure of Edo Castle and the Ooku -- and it must have been extremely difficult and vexing for Tenshoin to say goodbye to the place where she spent so many years of her life.
I think the saddest scene was when Tenshoin was walking around the now empty Ooku, looking at the exact spot where she had first met her future husband Iesada twelve years before. It was a bit unusual and lonely to see the corridors of the once busy and vibrant Ooku now empty and practically abandoned. What a good idea for Honjuin and Tenshoin to decorate the entire Ooku with flowers. No wonder the Satsuma-Choshu soldiers were so shocked when they took over the castle. I'm sure they were expecting the Ooku to be empty and deserted, but they were instead greeted by beautiful flowers in every room. I felt that the flowers represented the 200 year legacy of the Edo Castle Ooku, so that no matter who lived in Edo Castle, the memory of the Ooku and those who lived within its walls would never be erased.
What must have made it more difficult for Tenshoin was losing so many people around her. Takiyama, after serving Tenshoin for twelve years, declared she would retire and live in seclusion, stating her intent to "disappear" with the Ooku. Lady Seikanin (Kazunomiya) felt that there was no reason for her to remain in Edo anymore, especially since the Tokugawa family was forced to leave Edo Castle (where she enjoyed living since it reminded her of her late husband Iemochi.) She's decided to return to the Imperial Court in Kyoto. And then Shigeno, Tenshoin's head attendant. She left Tenshoin's service for her family's farm, because she felt she was imposing on Tenshoin. After living with these people for years, Tenshoin was faced with the reality of their departure.
So we have Tenshoin, Honjuin, Utahashi (Honjuin's sidekick), and Karahashi (Tenshoin's attendant) living in the Hitotsubashi mansion in Edo. I think we were told by the narrator that the Tokugawa family would eventually be moved to Sunpu, a province outside of but still relatively close to Edo. So living in the small Hitotsubashi Edo mansion must only be a temporary measure. We also heard that the Tokugawa family received a very small pension from the imperial government, which was hardly enough to support Tenshoin, Honjuin, and their attendants (not to mention the other members of the Tokugawa family.) As Tenshoin said, they were basically reduced to the state of "freeloaders". Okubo and Chessmaster Iwakura must support this turn of events because it will keep the Tokugawa weak. And Naogoro, as we've seen, doesn't support it at all. Where was Saigo?
And then the best scene of the episode... Naogoro meeting with Tenshoin again. I love that we always see so much continuity in this drama. Just like in the early episodes, Naogoro and Tenshoin played go while leisurely talking and spending time together. I was surprised Naogoro told Tenshoin that he was in love with her. When he asked her if she would have married him if she hadn't been adopted by Nariakira, I loved her answer -- I'll have to consult with my late husband Iesada first. Then both friends established that their married lives were happy and filled with good memories. It was surprising that Naogoro admitted that his son was not Ochika's child.
Naogoro's final lines were even more sad yet still encouraging: People aren't leaving for good. With hopes of meeting again... they are leaving temporarily. Until the next time we meet. Even though Naogoro has to return to Satsuma with his bad leg, and even though Tenshoin is still in Edo for the time being, I think they both have hope that they will meet each other again, no matter what. Poor Naogoro, we saw in that last scene that he now needs to use a cane...
We're now in May of 1868, and Tenshoin is living in the Edo Hitotsubashi mansion with Honjuin. The final episode, #50 airs next Sunday, 1/24! Not sure yet if UTB is going to split the final episode in half or not. Hope we'll find out soon!
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1/17/2009, 11:07 pm
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nchristi
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Tonight was dreadfully sad to watch. The Ooku was now an empty shell, a place of beauty that had always been locked to outsiders. When the military leader came in (So this is the Ooku...), he seemed rather awed. When he entered the room full of the magnificent flower arrangements, it was heartrending—especially the camera highlighting the silent, magnificent pink flower. The Ooku—above all else, it was a 'flower,' a place of beauty and grace. (BTW, was that commander the Royal Princess' ex-fiancée?)
I read in a historical account a while back that there were actually estimated to be about 3,000 women affected by the closing of the Ooku. It was catastrophic for many of them being turned out into the world on their own and trying to survive somehow. Even Shigeno and the couple of court attendants going with her to the family farm would have an extremely difficult adjustment to make. Life on a farm is not at all easy or in any way glamorous. Many would probably not be welcomed by their relatives. Just another mouth to feed, a body unused to hard work of a more physical nature.
Naogoro and Atsuhime. If he didn't continue to love her in his heart, would he have told her now that he loved her in the past? I don't think so. She was smart in asking him first what was his reason for asking. His reply that he wanted to put this matter (really, his love for her) to rest gave her the answer. If she told him that, yes, she would have married him, it would make it impossible for him to 'put it to rest' and be done with it. Telling him, no, she wouldn't have married him, would have unnecessarily hurt him. Giving him such a neutral and light-hearted non-answer led him to what was best for Naogoro. Her response turned a potentially awkward situation into a positive one, without Atsuhime having to lie one way or the other. To the contrary, the way she answered simply left them both feeling they were satisfied with their marriages (which they were), without striking a blow to Naogoro in any way at all.
I wonder what will happen to Naogoro now? Last week he commented that his leg is getting worse instead of better. Tonight he indicated that he wouldn't be able to see Atsuhime again soon, the camera then focusing on his injured leg. I wonder if his injury and complications will shorten his life? Or if he just will not be able to travel again in the future, making this his last visit with her?
As for Naogoro's child with the mistress, I expected him to tell her the truth. Atsuhime and Naogoro have a relationship that is based on trust and loyalty. Even though Atsu gave him a slight frown upon hearing that it wasn't his wife's child, she doesn't condemn him. They are probably more open, and comfortable, with one another than they ever were with anyone else.
I still feel very sad at the moment. Both Atsuhime and Naogoro have lived lives that brought them satisfaction and accomplishment. Yet, both have endured great losses and enduring loneliness of another sort.
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1/18/2009, 1:14 am
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Hiroshi66
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
Nchristi, I was also wondering who the military commander that entered the Ooku was. I had recorded the episode so I thought I'd go back and check, and I think it was a soldier from Satsuma. I think I also remember seeing this man in the early episodes, during those scenes with Okubo and Saigo in Satsuma. Like Saigo and Okubo, I think this man must have also rose up the ranks to become a military commander in the new government. I wish they had mentioned his name on the show, LOL!
I wonder if Kazunomiya ever had a chance to meet her ex-fiancée when she returned to Kyoto? It must have been such an extremely difficult experience for her to return there. She first entered Edo Castle with her mother and chief attendant (Lady Niwata), and she is now returning home without them. I wonder if she will be received well in the imperial court -- I hope she won't be viewed as an "outsider" by the new emperor because she had been the wife of the former shogun.
Yeah, it's very sad to think about all the women in the Ooku that were turned out to the street after the evacuation of Edo Castle. Even though attendants like Shigeno had somewhere to go (despite the fact that they would most likely have a difficult time), I wonder about all the other attendants who might have been orphans or who didn't have family homes to return to. Maybe that's why Shigeno took some attendants with her -- she probably took them in because they had nowhere to go.
I hope everything turns out well with Naogoro's health. Yeah, I noticed the camera kept zooming in on his injured leg. Their friendship is so amazing, having survived many years and even being on opposite sides of a war. I think this episode was sadder than usual because it made me re-live those earlier episodes and all that Atsu had to go through when she was first adopted. Though her adopted father Nariakira cared for her deeply, Atsu had to give up so much when she was adopted. Especially her loving family and her best friend, Naogoro. Like you mentioned, they have had meaningful lives, friendships, and marriages, but they have had to sacrifice many things as well.
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1/18/2009, 8:57 am
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brad6
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Re: J-Drama: 篤姫 (Atsu-hime)
I was also very absorbed in this episode last night. It must have been a dreadful experience to leave the home they had known for so long. Can you even begin to imagine how thousands of women could be thrown out into the world after living such a confined and pampered life. The woman guards and the lower servant ranks would be able to cope so much better. However the mistresses would be lost without the formal days and having nothing to do but flower arrangements and hoping for a visit with the Shogun.They had few practical skills.
Many of these women ended up in dire straits, and eventually a lot of them became prostitutes. Some did very well as you can imagine, they would have admirers who wahted their company because they had been the Shogun's property. A cruel world in those days for women of any class.
I wondered at the last meeting of Tenshoin and Naogoro. Did this really happen in the history? I am not even sure at this moment if Nao really existed.
It was done very well however, and I enjoyed their conversation and the final game of Go.
Did you notice that when the women guards carried the palanquin taking Tenshoin out of the Ooku, they walked backwards looking back at her. I thought a sign of respect so they would not show their backs to her.
Atsuhime was indeed a very unusual Japanese woman.
Peggy
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1/18/2009, 11:26 am
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