Akari Takaishi, who plays the heroine Toki in the currently airing NHK morning drama "Bakeke" (General TV, Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM and others), Tommy Bastow, who plays Toki's husband Heaven, and Takashi Okabe, who plays Toki's father Tsukasasuke, participated in the Setsubun Festival held at Naritasan Fudoson Temple in Neyagawa City, Osaka on February 3rd.
Takaishi commented, "So many people came and called out to me, 'Toki-chan,' and I felt energized and blessed by their energy. It was a really good experience to be able to see firsthand how many people love this work, 'Bakeke'."
He continued by mentioning the drama's catchphrase, "This world is sad, but wonderful," and sent a message saying, "I would be happy if you could feel the small happiness that is depicted along with the sadness."
Bastow recalled, "As the only foreigner participating, there were moments when I wondered if I had had a similar experience to Mr. Hearn, and I felt welcomed into Japanese culture. When we were taking a group photo, there was a moment when I was the only one looking to the left and the photo was taken. Many of the remaining photos of Mr. Hearn are of him looking to the side, worrying about his eyes, so I felt a strange, not coincidental, connection."
Regarding future developments in the drama, he appealed, "Although the episodes being broadcast have been difficult, Heaven and Toki have overcome difficult experiences as a family, which has deepened their bond and led to the Matsuno family building an even stronger relationship. Happy days will surely come again, so please look forward to it."
Okabe commented, "This was my first time having such an experience, and I will never forget the view. With so many people gathered, it felt like a concert, and I felt like Mrs. GREEN APPLE. I was able to make use of my experience from the first pitch (which took place in September), and throw the beans quite far."
"This week there were many difficult episodes, and when I saw the finished footage, I found myself crying just like the viewers. But by overcoming these difficulties, the family bonds will continue to deepen, so I hope you will watch," he said.
"Bakeke" is the 113th morning drama. Based on the story of Setsu Koizumi, the daughter of a fallen samurai from Matsue, and her husband Yakumo (Lafcadio Hearn), the story follows the ghost story-loving heroine as she lives her ordinary, everyday life with her foreign husband.
