The new cast for the NHK Asadora drama "Kaze,Kaoru ," starring Ai Mikami and Juri Kosaka , which will air in the first half of 2026, has been announced on the official NHK drama website (＠nhk_dramas), and it has been revealed that actor Tsurutaro Kataoka will be appearing. He will play Katsu Kaishu, an old friend of Shimizu Usaburo, played by Yajuro Bando.
Katsu Kaishu was an old friend of Usaburo, and would occasionally drop in at Mizuhoya, the restaurant run by Usaburo.
Kataoka said with enthusiasm, "This time, I will be playing Katsu Kaishu, who survived the turbulent times from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji era and played the historic role of bloodlessly surrendering Edo Castle! There have been many portrayals of Katsu Kaishu's exploits during the Edo period, but this time the focus will be on Katsu Kaishu in the Meiji period. I will create a new Katsu Kaishu from the Meiji period that has never been seen before and play him."
" Kaze,Kaoru" is the 114th serial TV drama. Set in the Meiji era, it is a buddy drama featuring two trained nurses, Ozeki Chika and Suzuki Masa, as its two protagonists. The two graduated from the same nursing school, but struggle with how to interact with patients and doctors, and grow through clashes, eventually becoming the "strongest buddy." Migami plays the lead role of Ichinose Rin, while Uesaka plays Oya Naomi.
