Koji Ishizaka Ishizaka plays Matsudaira Takemoto in the taiga drama " UNBOUND (Berabou) " (NHK General TV, Sunday 8pm and others), starring actor Ryusei Yokohama Yokohama. In this production, Takemoto is characterized by his long "white eyebrows," but was he originally longer? Ishizaka talks about his impressions of the role of Takemoto, the inside story behind his make-up, and his co-starring with Ken Watanabe , who plays Tanuma Okitsugu , in the 15th episode "Gloves of Death" (broadcast on April 13th), in which they unexpectedly "fight together."
◇ The role of "conservative boss" Matsudaira Takemoto: His distinctive "white eyebrows" are boldly displayed
" UNBOUND (Berabou)" is the 64th taiga drama and depicts the life of Tsutaya Juzaburo(or "Tsutajyu" for short), who is said to have laid the foundations for Japan's media industry and pop culture.
Takemoto, played by Ishizaka, served three generations of shoguns, Yoshimune, Ieshige, and Ieharu (played by Mashima Hidekazu), and was the trusted "chief senior councilor" who was called "the grandfather of Nishinomaru" by Ieharu. He was also the lord of Tatebayashi Domain in Kozuke Province, and was called "Ukon no Shogen" (Ukon General) due to his official rank, and was a character who was respected and loved.
Ishizaka himself revealed that he wanted to portray Takemoto, who served three generations of shoguns, as "a typical Tokugawa."
"I believe that the 'single formula' created by Ieyasu is correct, and that it is my job to carry it on. But there is a new force, and it is Ienari who is loudly calling for a shift from a rice-based system to one based on gold, silver, and currency."
Takemoto is positioned as the "conservative boss" who opposes the "up-and-coming Ikenori," and he was conscious of "old-fashioned acting" when performing the role.
"It may sound strange to say it's an 'old play,' but the hands aren't used like in modern plays, and there isn't much movement. The lines aren't cut off logically, but rather in a more old-fashioned way, with the same things being said over and over again. I thought it would be good if I could express that."
Speaking of Takemoto, one thing that became a hot topic from the moment he first appeared was his costume, which was so good that you wouldn't even realize it was Ishizaka unless you were told. The biggest feature of the costume was his long white eyebrows.
"When I read the script, it said, 'Those white eyebrows,' so I thought I should make them so that people would say that. I consulted with the chief director, Ohara (Taku), and he said, 'It's better to make it bold,' so I made them, but when I actually put them on for the costume fitting, I couldn't see in front of me (laughs). So I cut them little by little, so that one eye would be long, but the other would be short, and it didn't have to be the same on both sides, so I made them long and then gradually shortened them to complete it. I was worried that my view to the side would be blocked when I turned around, but now I feel nostalgic, and I'm thinking of taking them home as a souvenir (laughs)."
◇ Takemoto's thoughts on the end Between scenes, Ken Watanabe...
In the 15th episode, "The Gloves of Death," the eldest son of the 10th Shogun, Ieharu (Mashima Hidekazu), known as "Nishinomaru-sama," Iemoto (Tomoya Oku), suddenly collapses during a falconry and dies. Takemoto and Ienari form a cooperative relationship over his death, and Ienari, who is suspected of involvement, is saved by Takemoto, whose policies he has opposed many times in the past. However, at that moment, Takemoto...
Regarding Takemoto's final moments, Ishizaka said, "I interpret it as him dying from poison."
"I think Takemoto thought very seriously about issues such as succession and the succession of the Shogunate. So I think he must have felt that he was caught up in it all, and that he might be wiped out in some way if he wasn't careful. So I think he was aware that when 'Nishinomaru-sama' passed away, his own existence had lost its value, and that's why he was poisoned."
For Ishizaka, "UNBOUND" is his first taiga drama in 14 years. When his appearance was announced in July last year, he said, "I'm looking forward to working with Ken Watanabe on a new project for the first time in about 15 years."
Ishizaka and Watanabe also share a common bond as fans of the professional baseball team, the Hanshin Tigers. Ishizaka admits that "in between scenes, we almost only talk about the Hanshin Tigers." When asked about his impression of Watanabe...
"Ken Watanabe is very good at using his voice and making subtle changes to it. His actual speaking voice, as in the narration for (NHK's special drama) ' Saka no Ue no Kumo,' has a gentleness to it. He controls that voice well, and it's interesting to listen to him try to make it sound bad."
