Akari Takaishi plays the heroine in the NHK Asadora drama "Bakebake" (Monday to Saturday, 8:00 AM and other times). Toki (Takaishi) and Heaven (Tommy Bastow) finally come to terms with each other, and in episode 66 (broadcast on January 5th), Heaven decides to stay in Matsue. Production manager Kuniomi Hashizume and director Naoki Murahashi revealed the inside story of the scene that follows, which takes place at Izumo Taisha Shrine (Izumo City, Shimane Prefecture).
The day after Heaven announced that she would be staying in Matsue, Toki, Heaven, and Nishikori (played by Ryo Yoshizawa) visited Izumo Taisha Shrine. The snake and frog played by the Asagaya Sisters revealed, "Heaven, you were the first Westerners allowed to visit the shrine," and "Then the two of you secretly swore eternal love to each other."
Although Izumo Taisha has been used for filming documentaries and other programs in the past, this was the first time a drama had been shot there, and the director recalls that the circumstances leading up to the filming and the preparations were quite difficult.
Murahashi expressed his gratitude, saying, "We were given access to a place that is normally off-limits to the general public. We were given a special two-hour period to film, up until 8 a.m. They really cooperated fully, which is something that doesn't happen very often. I'm very grateful."
Hashizume said that he had in mind filming at Izumo Taisha from the beginning, due to historical fact that the models for the film, Setsu Koizumi and Lafcadio Hearn(Yakumo Koizumi), are said to have exchanged wedding vows at the shrine.
"I first went to meet them for an interview, and after about six months of conversation, they said, 'I'd definitely like to do it,' which led to this scene. There aren't many documents left at Izumo Taisha, but it seems there are documents that show at least two people visiting, so we were able to film in a place that is just within the reach of the general public."
The reason permission to film was granted was not only due to the contents of the script, but also because of Takaishi's personality.
"Takaishi actually spoke with the chief priests of Izumo Taisha Shrine, and upon hearing about her personality, they said, 'I'd love to help with the drama.' I'm sure it's not easy to get permission, but we were able to film early in the morning before the worshippers arrived," he explained.
