Actor Ryusei Yokohama stars in the NHK Taiga drama "UNBOUND (Berabou)" (General TV, Sundays at 8pm and others). From the 26th episode "Three Women" airing on July 6th, Hideki Takahashi will appear as Tokugawa Harusada.
The character he plays is Tokugawa Harusada, the ninth lord of the Kishu Domain, one of the Tokugawa Gosanke (three branches of the Tokugawa clan). Following in the footsteps 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 frustrated with the deterioration of the shogunate's finances.
He gradually becomes more involved in the shogunate government, cornering Tanuma Okitsugu(played by Ken Watanabe) and others.
"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.
