The NHK Taiga drama " UNBOUND (Berabou) " (NHK General TV, Sunday 8:00 PM, etc.), starring actor Ryusei Yokohama, aired on October 26th. In the 41st episode, "Utamaro's Large-Headed Beauty," viewers reacted to the words and actions of Tsutaju's (Yokohama) mother, Tsuyo ( Saki Takaoka).
"UNBOUND (Berabou)" is the 64th taiga drama and depicts the life of Tsutaya Juzaburo(or "Tsutajyu" for short), who is said to have laid the foundations for Japan's media industry and pop culture. The script was written by Yoshiko Morishita, who is known for her work on the highly talked-about "Drama 10: Ooku," which aired on NHK two years ago.
In episode 41, Tsutaju visits Suharaya (Kotaro Satomi), who has been disciplined, and learns that he will retire and hand over the business to the next generation. Tsutaju then ponders with Utamaro (played by Shota Sometani) how to market "The Ten Body Physiognomy of Women." Meanwhile, something strange happens to Tsuyo's body.
One day, Tsuyo ties Tsutaju's hair as she heads to Owari for business negotiations. She reveals the true reason why young Tsutaju was left in the care of Surugaya. Tsutaju's father had gotten into debt through gambling and had decided to flee Edo, but Tsuyo felt there was no guarantee of a life in his new home, so she decided to leave young Tsutaju in Yoshiwara. Worried that the debt would harm Tsutaju, Tsuyo decided to tell her that both her parents had become obsessed with sex and abandoned her in Yoshiwara, so that she would never say, "Those were my parents."
Tsutae responded, "That's a good story," and Tsuyo called Tsutae by her childhood name, Karamaru, in a gentle voice, as if talking to a child.
Tsuyo further said that Tsutaju grew up to be a strong person because "I abandoned him," and apologized for that. After acknowledging that Tsutaju is "admirable," as he needed to be strong to survive, Tsuyo said, "Most people can't become that strong, so they just pretend to be tough. Even if they say they're fine, they're not. If you can be a little more aware of that and start to be grateful, you'll be a better man." In a "parental" manner, he spoke.
Then Tsutaeju, who he usually calls "old hag," said to Tsuyo, "Well, go ahead, Mom," and headed to Owari... and so the story unfolded.
On social media, Tsuyo's calling Tsutaju by her childhood name, which encapsulates her feelings as a mother, drew comments such as, "Tsuyo calling Tsutaju by her childhood name brings tears to my eyes," "Saki Takaoka's voice was gentle and lovely," "Tsutajyo's face has returned to that of a crying child," and "Saki Takaoka's voice is so good I can't stop listening to it," as well as comments about this exchange such as, "She called him mom...," "Tsuyo... I hope that's not a red flag," and "It looks like this will be the final farewell between Tsuyo and Tsutaju..."
■Internal links [Photo special] The three beauties of Edo who appeared in "UNBOUND"! Okita-chan, the "poster girl" of Nanbaya, is so cute! It's a hot topic, but who played her? https://mantan-web.jp/article/20251019dog00m200041000c/photopage/032.html Inoue Yuki plays Sadanobu, and Matsuyama Kenichi plays his "father" two years ago! Photos also released!! https://mantan-web.jp/article/20231118dog00m200005000c.html <UNBOUND> Kitao Masanori's wife's "true identity" is a former Takarazuka top star https://mantan-web.jp/article/20250927dog00m200046000c.html <Photo> The face of Okiyon-san's corpse! Utamaro for days? Shocking scene requiring careful viewing https://mantan-web.jp/article/20251005dog00m200045000c/photopage/002.html 2 years ago! The "beautiful girl" who later played Tanuma Okitsugu https://mantan-web.jp/article/20230305dog00m200017000c.html <UNBOUND> Popular artist is Sentai "Red"! Costume photos released!! https://mantan-web.jp/article/20250118dog00m200021000c.html
