On June 4th, screenwriter Kankuro Kudo attended a press conference at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Shibuya, Tokyo, to announce the production and starring role of "Hon no Mokichi," the NHK Asadora drama series for the first half of 2028. Kudo explained the background and origins behind the title.
"Hon no Mokichi" is the 118th installment of the NHK morning drama series. It tells the story of the "most estranged couple" in the history of Asadora, modeled after the poet Saito Mokichi and his wife Teruko. Although based on real people, it is boldly reconstructed and presented as fiction. The characters' names in the drama are Mori Teruko and Mori Mokichi. The protagonist Teruko is played by Yuumi Kawai Yumi, and Kudo is writing the script for a Asadora for the first time in 15 years since "Amachan" (first half of 2013).
Regarding the origin of the title "Hon no Mokichi," Miyato laughed and said, "It's a play on the word 'kimochi' (feelings)." He continued, "I think 'kimochi' is a really great word. It has the meaning of 'a little bit,' as in 'kimochi migi' (a little bit right) or 'kimochi oime' (a little bit more), but then it's combined with 'hon' (just). Also, even though he works so hard, runs a hospital, and is considered a first-class genius in the world of tanka and poetry, his wife thinks he's 'just Mokichi.' I combined two meanings."
He said he had thought of about 40 titles, and added, "I narrowed it down to about 20 candidates, and this is the one that remained, so I thought there might be a bit more reaction (from the press), but it seems there isn't (laughs). Is it okay? It can still be changed, though. It's for the 2016 fiscal year," he said jokingly, making the reporters laugh.
Furthermore, when a reporter asked, "Did you title it Mokichi because it's a story told from Teruko's perspective?", Miyato replied, "That's right. Teruko is the main character, and since that's how Teruko sees it, I deliberately used her husband's name as the title."
Kawai and production supervisor Itagaki Maiko also attended the press conference.
