In the NHK morning drama series "Bakebake " (General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times), Chizuru Ikewaki plays Matsuno Fumi, the mother of the heroine Toki ( Akari Takaishi ). In the 20th episode, which aired on October 24th, Toki, who had visited Tokyo in pursuit of her husband Ginjiro ( Kanichiro), who had run away from home, returns to the Matsuno household alone. Ikewaki spoke about Fumi's feelings in that scene, the appeal of the role, and her thoughts as Toki's foster mother.
◇What are your thoughts on Toki returning from Tokyo?
"Bakebake" is based on the story of Koizumi Setsu, the daughter of a fallen samurai from Matsue, and her husband Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn), and depicts the heroine, who loves ghost stories, going about her everyday life with her foreign husband. The script is written by Fujiki Mitsuhiko, who has worked on NHK's "Asagaya Sisters' Relaxed Life" and WOWOW's "Shooting Break Series."
Fumi, played by Ikewaki, grew up in the home of a superior officer at Izumo Taisha Shrine, and is knowledgeable about the stories of the gods of Izumo, the living and dead, and invisible things, and often shares stories with Toki. She is a kind and reliable character who wishes Toki happiness more than anyone else.
Regarding Fumi, Ikewaki says, "Fumi is tolerant and accepts all of her husband and uncle's laid-back ways, but I think her charm lies in the fact that she herself is a bit of a scatterbrain."
"Because it's a period drama, the manners are set, and there are rules for things like which hand to place on top, so it's difficult to move in conjunction with the emotions and lines. Fumi must have been properly taught manners when she was growing up, so I want to make sure I do that properly."
In episode 20, Toki follows Ginjiro to Tokyo, but then parts ways with him and returns alone to the Matsuno family home in Shimane.
Regarding Fumi's feelings when she welcomed Toki back from Tokyo, Ikewaki recalls, "When Toki went to Tokyo, her grandfather had come up with the money to allow her to go, so as I saw her off, I was happy and thought, 'I hope this will be the start of her finding happiness in Tokyo with Ginjiro.'"
"I thought it would be fine if she found someone to spend the rest of her life with and was happy in Tokyo. But I was so worried, so I was really happy when she returned to the Matsuno family. I was really happy, but my first concern was whether O-Toki was sick or injured, so I was dusting off her kimono and touching her feet, although I'm not sure if you can see it on camera. I think I heard more about what happened between her and Ginjiro and why she returned."
◇The thing I want you to pay attention to is "the fact that they are doing stupid things in a completely serious way"
In the third week, it was revealed that Toki was an adopted child who came to the Matsuno family from the Ushimizu family, a relative. Regarding Fumi's feelings as Toki's foster mother, Ikewaki revealed, "I have a lot of pride in Toki, and I thought, 'I will definitely raise him,' so I played the role while thinking that I had to show that to Tae-sama at various points."
"Keiko Kitagawa, who plays Tae, also seems to approve of the play, but the fact that the Ushimizu-sama, Den-sama and Tae-sama said, 'This is really our child,' and if this caused Otoki to have doubts, I think she was worried about which family the child would choose. Fumi is considerate of the Ushimizu family, but she also speaks her mind when she needs to, so she played the role with the sole desire to protect her own child."
He appealed to viewers, saying, "I would be happiest if you could just relax and watch me do some silly things in all seriousness and chuckle."
"The filming at the Matsuno household is really harmonious and fun, but it's still fun after the shoot is over. I think that good friendship really shines through in the scenes at the Matsuno household. I hope everyone can experience the genuine fun."
