Rihito Itagaki plays Toki's (played by Akari Takaishi) Sannojo Ushimizu, in the NHK morning drama series " Bakebake " (General TV, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times), starring Akari Takaishi . He spoke about his thoughts on his first appearance in a Asadora, his relationship with his mother, Tae (played by Keiko Kitagawa), and how Sannojo felt when he received money from Toki.
◇ Delighted at his first appearance in a Asadora, thanks to "Aoten wo Tsuke"
"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."
Itagaki, who will be appearing in a Asadora for the first time, said, "The connection I had with the Taiga drama (Aoi Tou wo Tsuke) led to this production, Bakebake. I'm happy to be able to work again with people I've worked with before, and it's an honor, so I'm also pleased."
"Asadora is a major flagship program on a par with taiga dramas, so I was happy to be able to be involved in it as an actor. There is tension and pressure on all sets, but there was a different sense of security compared to working with people I'd never met before. Also, my first appearance in an Asadora drew reaction from all directions, but I was particularly moved by the joy shown by my parents when I first told them. I usually tell them when I've got a role, but their excitement seemed even greater than usual."
◇ A bond between mother and child is born between Tae and Sannojo.
Sannojo, played by Itagaki, is the third son of the Ushimizu family and two years younger than Toki. Since his older brother inherited the family business, he has no particular role to play. Since he has no place in the family, he spends all his time hanging out at Toki's workshop.
Sannojo's mother, Tae, was born into one of the most prestigious families in Matsue and grew up without any hardships, surrounded by many maids. After the death of her husband, Fu (Shinichi Tsutsumi), she left Matsue and went to live with relatives, but was kicked out because they couldn't provide her with money, and she ended up becoming a beggar.
Itagaki says, "The Ushimizu family was at the mercy of the times. I think if it had been a different time, our family structure would have been very different."
Itagaki revealed that Kitagawa, who plays Tae, said, "Even though he's the third son in this era, he's still a child," and said of the relationship between Tae and Sannojo, "Although they drifted apart over the years, I believe there is still love between them as parent and child."
"As their circumstances become more difficult, a bond between mother and son develops between Sannojo and Tae that would never have developed if things had remained as they were in the past. I think this bond has a different appeal from the family bond within the Matsuno family."
Sannojo was told by Tae to "get a job where you use people, not where others use you," and no matter how difficult the job search was, he tried to make that happen. Regarding Sannojo, she explains, "Even in the midst of a difficult life, he wanted to live up to his mother's expectations and make her happy, so he treasured these words. I can't imagine that his mother would have repeatedly told him those words in such a difficult situation."
"Because, as a mother, Tae also understands Sannojo's feelings. I think they are both waiting for the coming thaw, without knowing each other's true feelings. Of course, he is ignorant of the outside world, having grown up in the Ushimizu household, but I hope that his charm is conveyed in the way he wholeheartedly tries to fulfill his mother's words and wishes in a life-or-death situation."
◇How did Sannojo feel after receiving the money from Toki?
In episode 31 (broadcast on November 10th), Sannojo receives money from Toki. When asked how he felt at the time, Itagaki reflected, "My emotions were a mess after that."
"At the time, this money was a huge sum, and he felt a faint sense of hope and excitement that perhaps this money could change their current situation, and that his mother might no longer have to beg. He also felt pathetic that Toki, who was also his family, was giving him the money, and that this brought home to him a renewed sense of his own powerlessness. And he also felt resentful towards himself for being like that. In any case, even in parts that were not depicted in the drama, Sannojo must have been struggling with this conflict all this time, and I imagined that he probably wasn't getting much sleep."
In episode 34 (broadcast on November 13th), reporter Kajitani (Iwasaki Udai) appears in front of Tae, who has become a beggar, wanting to interview her. Sannojo gives the living expenses that Toki gave him as hush money to protect Tae.
"Unable to find a proper way to use the money, Sannojo made the sudden decision to use it to protect his mother and to protect the dignity of the Ushimizu family. Looking at it from a third-party perspective, one might wonder how that money was used, but if one were to find themselves in the same situation, it would be difficult to make the most correct decision."
Regarding the highlights of the drama, he said, "There are no flashy events in this drama, but there is a sense of reality to it. When I read the script and watched the drama footage, I felt that the lighting, including the visuals, captures reality, and I think that's what makes this a new Asadora that is different from previous works."
"The heroine Toki has a life full of ups and downs ahead, but the Ushimizu family will also be living a truly turbulent and difficult life. From a viewer's perspective, I myself am looking forward to seeing how Sannojo and Tae will end up in this story, so I hope everyone will look forward to it as well."
