Shibasaki Kou, an actor, commented ahead of the broadcast of the 2017 NHK Taiga drama "Naotora: The Lady Warlord (Onna-joshu Naotora)," starring her in the lead role, on BS Shochiku Tokyu from October 31. "It was a drama that once again called into question one's 'indomitable spirit' and 'altruism'," she said.
"Naotora" is the 56th Taiga drama, and an original work written by Morishita Yoshiko. The story follows the protagonist Naotora (Shibasaki), an ancestor of Ii Naosuke, the chief advisor of the late Edo period, and the foster mother of Ii Naomasa, a senior vassal of Tokugawa Ieyasu, as she inherits the family headship under a man's name, rules the country with her allies, and survives while protecting the life of her heir.
Shibasaki mentioned the names of Ii Naochika (Miura Haruma), Ono Masatsugu (Takahashi Issei), Ryuunmaru (Yagira Yuya), and Ii Naomasa (Suda Masaki), and reminisced, "They were born in the warring states era and were almost swept away by the waves, but they faced them and somehow managed to hang on to hope."
"Naotora" will be broadcast every Thursday from 6:15 pm on BS Shochiku Tokyu from October 31st. From November 7th, two episodes will be broadcast consecutively.
◇Shibasaki Kou's comment
Naochika smiles straight ahead, despite the vague sadness that surrounds him.
Masatsugu speaks as if reciting a sutra, hiding his true feelings.
Ryuunmaru is nonchalant, but occasionally casts a sharp glare in his eyes.
Naomasa, Naochika's eldest son, was the one Naotora desperately tried to pass on as her guardian.
Born into a time of war and almost being swept away by the waves, Naotora faced those around her and somehow managed to hang on to hope. Rather than "playing" Naotora, I think I dedicated my life to the role of "my Naotora" and lived with that single mind-set for over a year, immersing myself in it.
No matter how tough the world may be, the prayers that well up within you cannot be stopped - it was a drama that called into question once again my own "indomitable spirit" and "altruistic spirit."
Even now, when I sing "When I Was Ryugujo Kozou" at my own live shows, a slideshow of this drama flashes through my mind.
