Flower curtain:Kitagawa Keiko stars in a drama with her "close friend in private" Izumi Pinko, Tamayama Tetsuji plays "King of Laughter" Shundanji, and Milk Boy plays Entatsu and Achako

It was revealed on February 3rd that actor Kitagawa Keiko will star in the TV Asahi Premium drama "Hana Noren" (March 8th at 9pm), along with Komoto Masahiro, Izumi Pinko, Tamayama Tetsuji, Babazono Azusa, and Shibuya Nagisa.

The drama is a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the late Toyoko Yamazaki, known for many masterpieces such as "The White Tower," "The Magnificent Clan," and "Fubu-chi." The live-action adaptation of Yamazaki's early representative work, the same-titled novel that won the Naoki Prize, is based on the life of Taka Kawashima (Kitagawa), a female impresario who dedicated her life to show business during the turbulent era from the Meiji to the Showa eras, and is modeled after Yoshimoto Sei, the founder of Yoshimoto Kogyo.

This is Izumi's third time acting together, and she is a close friend of Kitagawa's in private. She plays Ishikawa Kin, a small change lender who is touched by Taka's business spirit and lends him money. Izumi said, "The role of Kin, the money lender I play, is not portrayed in much depth. But that's why my imagination ran wild, and I wondered where she would hide the money...I thought about it so much that I wondered if I was going too far." She revealed that she brought her own ideas to the role.

Kitagawa expressed her gratitude, saying, "Pinko-san suggested a lot of ideas to me even before filming began, and I was reminded once again what an incredible actor she is. Her acting was very weighty, and we were able to really engage in serious scenes."

Komoto, who played a married couple with Kitagawa in the movie "After Flowers" (2010), said, "I'm happy to be reunited with Kitagawa, who has become more attractive as an actress, after more than a decade." He will play Gamaguchi, Taka's right-hand man in the business.

Tamayama has worked with Kitagawa in movies and dramas and is said to know her well. In this film, he plays Shundanji, a popular rakugo performer who has left a legacy of legend with his unconventional behavior. In order to play Shundanji, who is also known as the "King of Laughter," Tamayama rehearsed his rakugo storytelling skills over and over again before filming began. He revealed some behind-the-scenes stories, saying, "During the rakugo, my kimono got soaked with sweat and I almost lost oxygen..."

Babazono will play Oume, a maid who is devoted to Taka and her son Hisao. Shibuya will play Oshino, the mistress of Taka's husband Yoshisaburo (Ito Hideaki). It was also announced that Sasano Takashi will play the owner of a top-class comedy hall who engages in negotiations with Taka, Fukikoshi Mitsuru will play Taka's father Magoichi, Kanayama Kazuhiko will play Sugita, who manages the comedy hall under Taka, and Honda Riki will play the owner of Orikyo, a Kyoto weaver who comes to collect the money.

In addition, it was revealed that popular comedians will appear in the role of legendary comedians who enlivened Japan from the Meiji to early Showa eras. The legendary duo "Entatsu and Achako," known as the originators of "talk-talk manzai," will be played by the comedy duo "Milk Boy." And Tsukitei Hosei will play Shokaku, a popular rakugo performer who brings turmoil to Takano's comedy hall.