In the TBS Sunday Theatre drama "Diamond Sleeping in the Sea" (Sundays at 9pm) starring Kamiki Ryunosuke, Sugisaki Hana plays Asako, who gradually connects with the bright and straightforward Teppei (Kamiki), who was born and raised in a coal miner's family on Hashima Island. In the present day, Asako appears under her maiden name, Izumi (Miyamoto Nobuko), and is a key character in the story. We asked Hana Sugisaki about the perspective she considered important when playing Asako and what was going on in her mind.
The drama is a story of love, friendship and family spanning 70 years, set on the island of Hashima (Gunkanjima) in Nagasaki Prefecture, which developed through coal mining from the beginning of the Meiji era to the postwar high economic growth period, and in modern-day Tokyo. It is written by Akiko Nogi, directed by Ayuko Tsukahara, and produced by Junko Arai, the team behind the dramas "Unnatural" and "MIU404" (same series) and the movie "The Last Mile."
◇The key that connects the present and the Showa era: passing the baton to Nobuko Miyamoto
--Please tell us your thoughts on the broadcasts so far.
I am numbly energized by this film, which is like a hymn to humanity, depicting the beauty of wanting to be by someone's side, tackling something with conviction, and looking forward and living life to the fullest even in the face of failure.
-Have you ever linked it with the acting of Miyamoto Nobuko, who plays the modern-day Izumi?
Once, I had the opportunity to visit the filming location of the modern part, and I was overwhelmed by the harshness, joy, and sadness of life that Miyamoto-san exuded just by being there. At that moment, I realized that I would not be able to pass the baton to her if I just tried to imitate her appearance. I wanted to incorporate even a little of the rhythm and charm that flows inside Izumi-san, and I resolved to focus on unraveling the sadness and joy of Asako and acting to the fullest.
A while later, I heard that Miyamoto-san had linked the gesture of "tucking hair behind the ear" to the character, and I felt very grateful and happy.
--Asako is set to be a little younger than Teppei and the others. Scriptwriter Akiko Nogi also commented, "I'm impressed that you've managed to bring out the feeling of being younger." What did you pay attention to when playing Asako?
I'm very happy to hear such words. I felt that Asako's perspective was directed at very personal things such as her own life, her family, the people on the island, and Teppei. She was born and raised on the small island of Hashima, and worked hard every day as the daughter of a restaurant owner, so she has a pure side to her that doesn't know anything about the world outside of that. It's also a part of her that has been protected by Yuriko (Tsuchiya Tao), Teppei, and Kensho (Shimizu Hiroya). I wanted to portray Asako in a way that would make her character look more fresh through her interactions with people.
◇Kamiki Ryunosuke shows Teppei's purity in a confession scene that breaks new ground
--The scene in episode 6 where Teppei confesses his feelings to Asako has been much talked about. Can you tell us some behind-the-scenes stories from the set?
Director Ayuko Tsukahara and Kamiki shared the idea of "making that scene more vivid and documentary-like" beforehand. When we first rehearsed based on that common understanding, every word Teppei spoke jumped out at me with a purity far beyond my imagination. I got goosebumps from the freshness of Teppei's voice, as if he were outpacing Kamiki's heartbeat. As we continued, I gradually became embarrassed, and I couldn't help but laugh. Director Tsukahara, who was watching us, said, "It's exactly like that kind of tension, and I imagine each of us understanding what the other wants to say before they even say it," and that's how that scene was created.
--What's your favorite scene from the episodes so far?
I can't forget the look on Izumi's face when she saw Hashima in episode 1. It was a truly amazing scene, and I felt it was like a blessing to Izumi, who had experienced many things, both sweet and sour, and lived her life to the fullest, knowing that Hashima had always been there, unchanged since then.
--Looking back on the approximately four months of filming, how do you feel?
Personally, I felt a sense of relief working with Kamiki again, who I have worked with in many previous productions, but I also felt pressure. I wondered what approach I should take to ensure that he would see Asako and Teppei without feeling a sense of déjà vu. I think that sharing these feelings and spending time with him and our relationship in a more in-depth and frank manner, while also discussing things on a daily basis, had a very positive effect on the acting.
Above all, I believe this was possible only because the main character was Kamiki, who, like Teppei, treats everyone there equally and is loved by everyone, and I am truly grateful.
