It was revealed on March 3rd that actor Tori Matsuzaka will star in the 2027 NHK Taiga drama "The Gyakuzoku no Bakushin." Why was Matsuzaka chosen for the lead role of Shogunate official Oguri Tadamasa? The reason was revealed by production supervisor Natsuko Katsuta at a press conference held at the NHK headquarters in Shibuya, Tokyo on the same day.
The protagonist, Oguri Kozukenosuke Tadamasa , was a man said to be "Katsu Kaishu's rival." He was a genius of the Edo shogunate who became Japan's first envoy to the United States, experienced the civilization of a new era, and designed the new form of the nation. However, he was branded a "traitor" by the Meiji government and buried in the shadows of history. This thrilling and heartwarming entertainment depicts the untold exploits of this shogunate official. The script is written by Naoko Adachi , known for her work on dramas such as "What Did You Eat Yesterday?" and the serial television drama " Okaeri Mone ."
Katsuta has worked with Matsuzaka on projects such as the NHK morning drama "Umechan Sensei" (2012) and the historical drama "Gunshi Kanbei" (2014).
"Of course, there's his acting ability and personality, but he also understands the intentions behind the work. He accurately grasps the thought process behind 'why we're doing this,'" he said, describing Matsuzaka's appeal.
Katsuta, who says that the end of the Edo period and the present day are "similar," said, "In the present day, various values are crumbling, and war and violence are just around the corner. I thought that looking back on Oguri's life would be a very significant memory for us who live in the present. Matsuzaka deeply understands these feelings, so it is very reassuring to be working with him."
He further added, "He possesses the same integrity and dignity as Oguri, and a fundamental sense of reassurance that he is definitely not a bad person. I have high expectations for his acting abilities."
