Actor Rihito Itagaki appeared on Tetsuko Kuroyanagi's long-running talk show "Tetsuko's Room" (TV Asahi), which aired on December 5th. He talked about his memories of co-stars Jun Matsumoto and Kinya Kitaoji.
Matsumoto, who starred in the NHK taiga drama "What Will Ieyasu Do?", regularly holds dinner parties called "Tonkai" for the cast and staff. He held them quite frequently during filming as well. "With or without this, I think the relationship between the lord and his vassals, and the staff making the drama, as well as the strength of the connection, would be completely different." The "Tonkai" continues to this day.
"Mr. Matsumoto keeps a close eye on the upcoming productions and announced work I'm scheduled to appear in. He encourages me to do my best in the next drama, and gives me his thoughts on the things he's seen (the works). He's so generous I wonder how many eyes and brains he has." "He has overwhelming charisma, but he also has a cute and playful side, and I think that contrast is wonderful, and he also pays attention to the staff and cast. He's a really wonderful person."
When he was in junior high school, he appeared in the historical drama "Hana Moyu" and acted one-on-one with Kitaoji. He was overwhelmed by his overwhelming aura and the power of his acting. "When I finished filming, Kitaoji Kinya said to me, 'You'll be fine,'" he said. "It gave me confidence at the time, and I still remember that experience and keep it close to my heart."
