James Miki (real name: Yamashita Kiyomoto), a screenwriter who worked on many hits such as the NHK Taiga drama "Dokuganryu Masamune" (1987), passed away on June 14th at a hospital in Tokyo due to pneumonia. He was 91 years old. On June 19th, Miki's official website was updated to announce the news. We will introduce his personality based on the testimony of a journalist who had contact with his dramatic life.
◇A dramatic 91-year life
Miki was born on June 10, 1934 in the former Manchuria (northeastern China) and emigrated to Osaka Prefecture when he was in elementary school. In high school, he passed the exam to enter Haiyuza Training School and moved to Tokyo. However, he didn't make any progress and left after two years to pursue a career as a singer. He made his debut in 1955 under the name "James Miki". This also didn't go over well, and in 1967, he was selected in a screenplay competition and turned to screenwriting. In 1992, he was involved in a messy divorce from his wife after 32 years of marriage. The contents of the tell-all book she published at that time shocked the public.
Miki's works, like his life, often have dramatic developments. In the 1980s, he made a name for himself as a hit-maker, drawing high audience ratings. His NHK Asadora drama series "Miotsukushi" (1985), starring Sawaguchi Yasuko as the heroine, achieved a peak audience rating of 55.3% (according to Video Research, Kanto region, same below). His sequel, "Dokuganryu Masamune", recorded an average audience rating of 39.7%, the highest in the history of taiga dramas. It was also the breakthrough work for Ken Watanabe, who played the main character, Date Masamune, at the age of 27.
"Dokuganryu Masamune" has been rebroadcast on NHK BS since January this year, and the 25th episode, "Hostage, Mego," will be broadcast at 6 p.m. on June 23. On social media, there are many positive comments about the show, such as "a solid script" and "a rich and human atmosphere," and it has captured the hearts of viewers regardless of the era.
In addition to "Mitsunari Masamune," Miki has worked on three historical dramas: "The Eighth Shogun Yoshimune" (1995) and "Aoi: The Three Generations of the Tokugawas" (2000).
◇ A humorous title that lightens the mood from the moment you exchange business cards
A reporter who interviewed Miki face-to-face about seven years ago recalled, "Although he was a big name with a brilliant track record, he was not arrogant and had a strong service spirit that made the atmosphere light-hearted from the moment he exchanged business cards."
"On Miki's business card, next to the titles 'scriptwriter' and 'director', next was 'smoking.' As soon as I received it, I asked him with a laugh, 'Is smoking part of your job?' He replied with a smile, 'If you keep this in there, they'll bring out an ashtray for you without you having to say anything.' The tense atmosphere immediately changed."
The reporter then asked, "Don't you smoke?" The reporter revealed that he had been a smoker for many years, but had quit after his tonsils became severely swollen. The reporter then laughed and said, "You couldn't keep it up? You don't have the guts."
"On this occasion, he also mentioned the urban legend that smoking makes your nose hair grow, and made everyone laugh by saying, 'That's why smokers don't go bald. I have a full head of hair too.' He must have a lot of little jokes up his sleeve. He was also good at dirty jokes that would make people chuckle. He's great at making a story out of any anecdote. I felt that a scriptwriter who writes works that move people's hearts also has a different level of small talk ability."
I wanted to see more humorous adult dialogue. Although that wish won't come true in the new production, I'd like to remember his rare talent through his past works. (Ogawa Yasuka / MANTAN)
