Nine stills from the film " Oi, Oui " (directed by Omori Tatsushi, to be released on October 17th), in which actor Masami Nagasawa will star in her first period drama role, were released on August 8th.
Nagasawa plays Oui Oi, the daughter and disciple of Katsushika Hokusai, a genius painter representing the Edo period. Oui was a real person who studied painting under her father and teacher, Hokusai (played by Masatoshi Nagase), and who, inheriting her artistic talent and boldness, made her way through a male-dominated society. She wielded a paintbrush so skillful that even Hokusai acknowledged her as "unrivaled in the art of beautiful women," and was active as one of the few female painters. However, only a few of her works remain in the world, and her life is shrouded in mystery.
A total of nine images have been released this time, including some that offer a glimpse of the mysterious "true face" of Oui, as well as others that capture the charm of the characters surrounding Oui.
Oui is seen lying down alone, staring at one point, and his expression as he gazes in the direction of the light reflects an image of someone who lived a strong life, cherishing his own will, without pandering to the world. He is also shown holding his beloved dog fondly, and holding a candy lollipop with a carefree smile on his face.
Also, Oei is seen smiling innocently, sandwiched between Zenjiro (Keisai Eisen), a student of Oui and a good friend of Oei, played by Takahashi Kaito of the popular group King & Prince, and Hatsugoro (Totoya Hokkei), another student of Hokusai and a popular Oui, played by Otani Ryohei.
The scene cuts include a profile shot of Hokusai as he paints with incredible concentration and power, as well as shots of his everyday life with his father in a tenement house cluttered with art supplies and paintings.
Nagasawa, who plays Oei, a Oui of unfathomable beauty who exudes different charms depending on the angle from which you view her, commented, "The more I get to know her, the more fascinating she becomes, and I would like to meet her in person, to see her. She is brave and godlike, as if she has put her life on the line for paintings and Hokusai. I played the role with a sense of admiration for all of that."
*The "taka" in Takahashi Kaito's name is pronounced as "ladder."
