Ooku Tanjou ep 1 - wtf am I watching and why can't I stop?

[dangermousie]

I was not planning to check out Ooku Tanjou, the period jdrama currently airing. The number of jdramas I've watched in the last couple of years could be counted on the fingers of one hand. If that hand has been in an industrial accident. Add in the fact that the premise made me absolutely cringe - it's set in 17th century Japan (so far, so good),

Comments

[meganbmoore]

I only learned the drama existed a few days ago and so haven't seen any of it yet (I think most of my asian drama listies have moved on from LJ/DW) and probably won't until it's over, but I like the manga it's based on. I can't speak from the drama, but the manga is heavily focused on the deconstruction of gender roles and how that change would affect Japanese history ( a popular theory is that it's a "secret history" and that the population will be restored to what it was before the plague, and that in this fictional universe, that's why Japan remained so closed off from the rest of the world, especially since it doesn't become a matriarchal society, but instead remains a society that clings to it's patriarchal traditions and history despite the lack of, well, enough men to maintain a patriarchal society) and has a fair bit of psychological emphasis and is so heavily and intricately researched and written that it gives translators headaches. (The mangaka actually uses an older, more formal form of language than even other

[dangermousie]

The manga sounds very much not my thing because I would find the deconstruction of a patriarchal society and gender norms fascinating - in nonfiction. In fiction I stay away from that (or any other sociological stuff) like the plague.

Re: the shogun in this. But the thing is, if she is abused and warped as a result, that makes her behavior understandable but not excusable and certainly makes her a horrible candidate for romance. I am OK with 'only light in dark world' trope, whatever the gender roles, but to me that means one of the partners mopes and weeps and is icy and occasionally says mean things. If one of the partners beats up the other one at their first meeting, I am done. I mean, otherwise I'd be a big lakorn fan.

[blobofcolour]

Oooh, I didn't know they made a live action version of this. I read the manga a while back and liked it/found it interesting. If I remember correctly, there's more craziness in the later part [SPOILERS!!]The monk and lady shogun falls for each other eventually and have a loving relationship but after all that trouble, he can't get her pregnant and he ends up persuading her to sleep with another guy for the sake of producing a royal heir... or something along those lines Yep, fun times awaiting you.

Now I need to go check it out for Sakai Masato!

*sorry, spoiler cut didn't work first time round*

[dangermousie]

Sakai Masato is the reason I am sticking with it. He is excellent.

[scottishlass]

I can understand why they hired Sakai Masato for the role of the monk as he is such a soft spoken guy and always comes across as a refined, gentle man in his roles. I remember Ooku - The Lady Shogun and Her Men which was okay-ish ... with Tamaki Hiroshi, Shibasaki Kou and Nino from Arashi.

[dangermousie]

I'd totally have Tamaki Hiroshi in my harem. Mainly to feed him.

[scottishlass]

True :)

Well I could ignore the big plot holes and all until the scene where they killed off Wakamurasaki, the kitten, then I was out of there.

[december_clouds]

I watched the first episode of this and now I think I should watch more. I'm hoping he can become a monk again too. The first episode was super addictive and I have no idea why I liked it either. I hate historical dramas, and Tabe Mikako (?) can only sometimes act. Still... I have to watch it.

[dangermousie]

It is soooo an odd drama.

[dangermousie]

I got through ep 3 and still think she has no excuse...