Akari Takaishi plays the heroine in the NHK Asadora drama "Bakebake" (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times). In episodes 56 (aired December 15th) and 57 (aired December 16th), the head priest of Daiouji Temple, played by Ibu Masato, appears. He recounts the temple's ghost story, "The Woman Who Buys Starch Syrup," to Toki (Takaishi) and Heaven (Tommy Bastow). We spoke to Hashizume Kuniomi, the production manager for this series, about the reasons for casting Ibu, the appeal of his acting, and behind-the-scenes scenes of his appearance.
◇The reason for casting Masato Ibu in a key role despite his brief appearance
This will be Ibu's first appearance in a Asadora in nine years, since "Beppin-san" in the second half of 2016. In "Bakebake," he plays the head priest of Daio-ji Temple in Matsue City, who tells Toki and Heaven ghost stories that are passed down at the temple.
Hashizume revealed, "Although my role only has a few scenes, I felt strongly that not just anyone can tell ghost stories."
"I felt that unless the story was told by someone who could convince Toki and Heaven that it was an amazing story and an interesting one, it wouldn't resonate with them. I wanted someone who would make sense to me, so I decided to ask a veteran with persuasive ability to tell the story, and that's when I started casting."
Although the head priest only appears in a few scenes, he plays an important role in impressing upon Toki and Heaven the appeal of ghost stories.
"A ghost story told in a rambling, elegant way isn't interesting, and conversely, if it's told in a soft-spoken way it's not convincing. When I thought about who could speak simply but persuasively, Ibu-san came to mind, and I approached him as my first choice. I asked him, 'You only have a small role, but what do you think?' and he replied, 'It's a very important role, so I'd like to take it on.'"
This is the first time Hashizume has worked with Ibu. "I had never worked with Ibu before, but I felt he had a very philosophical perspective," he said of his impression.
"When Ibu-san recited the ghost story with such a detached air, I thought it was very convincing, and everyone on set was really drawn in. The scene where he told the ghost story was shot on location, and it was a truly luxurious set with all the staff listening intently to Ibu-san's ghost story. I think everyone there felt the same way as Toki and Heaven."
◇Why are you so good at chanting sutras?
The scene where the head priest recites a sutra to exorcise Heaven was particularly memorable, as well as the scene where he tells ghost stories. Hashizume recalls, "He looked just like a real head priest."
"When I first told Ibu that I'd be playing the role of a head priest, he asked me, 'What sect are you from?' (laughs). He replied, 'I've recited sutras many times before (for roles), so I understand to some extent.' This time, the role is of the Hokke sect, which it seems was his first time playing a Hokke sect. We had a Hokke teacher come in and actually trained me and studied the sutras, and he just looked so real."
It is said that even the head priest of Daiouji Temple, who was present at the scene, was amazed by Ibu's acting.
"The current head priest of Daio-ji Temple came to the set and gave Ibu-san instructions. During filming, he repeatedly said, 'That's great,' and seemed very satisfied with Ibu-san's performance. I think it was Ibu-san's persuasiveness that led to the ghost story scene that resonated with the heart."
