Actor Ryusei Yokohama stars in the NHK Taiga drama "UNBOUND (Berabou)" (General TV, Sunday 8pm and others). It has been revealed that Saki Takaoka will appear in the role of Tsuyo from the 26th episode "Three Women" which will be broadcast on July 6th. Tsuyo is Tsutaju's (Yokohama) biological mother who was divorced when Tsutaju was 7 years old and left him behind. Having worked as a hairdresser, she is a people-pleaser. She is skilled at conversation and helps Tsutaju's Koshodo business...
It was also announced that Hideki Takahashi will play the role of Tokugawa Harusada, Matayoshi Naoki will play the role of Innkeeper Memori, and Hayashiya Taihei will play the role of Ohiki Akazou.
Tokugawa Harusada was the ninth lord of the Kishu Domain, one of the Tokugawa Gosanke (three branches of the Tokugawa clan). Following the example of the eighth shogun, Yoshimune, he implemented reforms to the domain's government that focused on frugality and helped rebuild the domain's finances. During the Tenmei famine brought about by the eruption of Mount Asama, the price of rice did not fall, and he became impatient with the deterioration of the shogunate's finances. He gradually became more involved in the shogunate's government, cornering Tanuma Okitsugu(played by Ken Watanabe) and others.
Yadoya Iimori was a kyoka poet who studied under Ota Nanpo(Kenta Kiritani) and was counted among the four great masters of kyoka. His kyo'yaka name is said to come from the fact that he ran an inn in Nihonbashi. He collaborated with Tsutaju in the editing and publishing of kyoka anthologies, and in 1785, together with Utamaro (Sometani Shota), published the kyoka picture book "Ehon Mushi Erami," solidifying his status as a kyoka poet. After Tsutaju passed away, he left an inscription on Tsutaju's grave.
Ohibiki Akazo is a bill-broker who discusses a rice trade with Tsutaju. Photos of Takaoka and the other three in costume were also released.
"UNBOUND (Berabou)" is the 64th taiga drama, depicting the life of Tsutaya Juzaburo(or "Tsutajyu" for short), who is said to have built the foundations of Japan's media industry and pop culture. The script was written by Yoshiko Morishita, known for "Drama 10 'Ooku'" which was broadcast on NHK two years ago and became a big hit.
