An encore broadcast of the 2013 NHK Taiga drama "Yae no Sakura," starring actress Haruka Ayase, will begin on January 5th on NHK BS. The drama will consist of 50 episodes. It will be broadcast every Monday from 6pm starting that day.
"Yae no Sakura" depicts the life of Yae, a Fukushima native who was nicknamed the "Joan of Arc of the late Edo period" for barricading herself in Aizu's Tsuruga Castle with 500 other women and fighting with guns during the waning days of the Boshin War. It is a story of love and hope for Yae and her companions, who protected the spirit of Aizu Bushido, continued to challenge themselves throughout their lives, and prayed for the happiness of the people.
The script was written by Mutsumi Yamamoto, the theme music was composed by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yae's brother Kakuma was played by Hidetoshi Nishijima, Niijima Jo was played by Joe Odagiri, and the cast included Hiroki Hasegawa, Tetsuji Tamayama, Go Ayano, Koji Kikkawa, Takashi Sorimachi, Toshiyuki Nishida, Kenji Furuya of Dragon Ash, Shun Oguri, Meisa Kuroki, Ayame Goriki, and Shihori Kanjiya.
