Cast of “Oshin” film revealed, Aya Ueto to play Oshin’s mother
On Tuesday, a press conference was held in Tokyo to announce the cast of Shin Togashi’s upcoming Oshin movie. Aya Ueto will play Oshin’s mother Fuji Tanimura, taking over the role played by Pinko Izumi in the original TV drama.
The massively successful drama originally aired on NHK almost 30 years ago, earning an average rating of 52.6% with a high of 62.9%.
While the drama spanned Oshin’s entire life during its year-long run, the film will instead focus primarily her childhood years in the early 19th century. With the harsh, yet beautiful natural surroundings of Yamagata Prefecture as a backdrop, the story revolves around a young peasant girl who perseveres through various hardships and experiences growth.
Ueto’s fellow cast members were also revealed at the event. Child actress Kokone Hamada was selected from 2,471 participants in an open audition to play young Oshin. Pinko Izumi will return to play the grandmother at Kaga-ya, a family-owned rice wholesaler. Kayoko Kishimoto will play Tsune, an employee at Nakagawa Lumber Shop. Ayako Kobayashi will play Mino, the young wife at Kaga-ya. Ryosuke Nogi will play Seitaro, proprietor of Kaga-ya. Jitsuko Yoshimura will play Naka Tanimura, Oshin’s grandmother. Shinnosuke Mitsushima will play a deserter named Shunsaku. And finally, Guts Ishimatsu will play an old charcoal maker named Matsuzou.
Filming of “Oshin” will begin in mid-February with a release planned for October.
nipponcinema