{01} Ohisama
Currently watching Ohisama! I'm really enjoying the drama, even though it's the first time I've watched an asadora. I'm going to leave this as a sticky for the duration of the broadcast. I hope there's other people watching too. I'll be posting summaries from each week. My Japanese is not the greatest, but I hope I've caught the gist of all the episodes. Enjoy!~
Original Japanese relationship chart taken from the official NHK site.
Please properly credit if re-posted.
Follow the cuts for my weekly summaries. I might have to start posting fake cuts soon if this becomes too long to fit in one post.
Week One: Mother's Tears 母のナミダ
The story begins in Showa 7 (1932). Yoko is 10 years old when the Sudo family moves to Matsumoto. Yoko's mother Hiroko is very sick, and it is at her doctor's advice they relocate to the countryside. Yoko always had a great relationship with her mother, often going for walks together and singing her mother's favourite song. Hiroko taught Yoko that no matter what comes her way, she should always smile, because her smile is just like the sun. Hence it was also Yoko's namesake.
With Yoko being only 10 at the time, she did not really understand how serious her mother's illness was. It was only when she saw her older brother Haruki crying at night that she realized her mother was dying. She began to take responsibilities around the house, including preparing meals for the family.
At school, Yoko became friends with a girl named Yuki, who aspired to become a teacher. However because Yuki's family was poor, she could no longer continue to study and had to start working to support her family. Initially Yoko was very upset because she didn't understand why life was so unfair. However, she became determined to fulfill Yuki's dream of becoming a teacher.
During a sports competition at school, Yoko places second after a race. Although she didn't win herself, she was thrilled when Yuki came in first during her race. With her parents watching from a distance, Yoko's mom was relieved to know how Yoko unselfishly put other peoples' happiness before her own. She knew she didn't have to worry about Yoko anymore. She asked her husband to continue looking after her when she is gone.
In one of the last scenes from her childhood, Yoko's teacher, Takahashi-sensei tells the class they will be hiking up the mountain to watch the sunrise. Yoko is excited because she thinks she'll be closer to the sun. However, Hiroko's condition takes a turn for the worse and Yoko is hesitant to leave her side on the day of the trip. Hiroko instructs her daughter to go as she wants her to experience the sunrise in her place. As both of them stare out at the rising sun from opposite ends, Hiroko passes away in her husband's arms.
The story fast forwards to Showa 13 (1938), when Yoko is already 16 years old.
Week Two - Maiden's Prayer 乙女の祈り
On the way to school, Yoko is interrupted by a lady looking out at the soba field. Yoko introduces herself and finds out she owns a soba restaurant. When Yoko realizes she's late for school, she hastily runs off. While it was a brief encounter, she didn't realize till afterwards that it would a life-changing moment for her...
During her time at school, Yoko became close friends with two girls from her class, Ikuko and Machiko. Their friendship started when they played a prank on their English teacher, Mr. Ida, who they nicknamed Octopus. He was often very strict with his students and was constantly telling them their behaviour was unladylike (onna no kuse ni). As a way to rebel against him, everyone in their class promised to submit blank papers on their next test. However, it was only Yoko, Ikuko and Machiko who followed through with the plan. While the three of them cleaned the washroom as their punishment, they vowed to become best friends and called themselves the 'Blank Paper' trio.
Yoko and the others often had different views on love. As Machiko was from a wealthy family, it was always expected of her to marry once she completed high school. She didn't believe in love as she knew she wouldn't have a chance to experience it. Ikuko on the other hand, claimed to have been in love three times already. However, her dream was to travel abroad and to push the boundaries of what was acceptable for women in those times.
All three often hung out together at a candy store on their way home from school. However, because it was against school rules, they always had to sneak in from the side entrance. They became familiar with the shop owner Sadao, and his wife, Kayo, and often included her in their heart-to-heart talks.
After seeing a poster for a French film screening nearby, the three of them decided to go behind their parents' back to watch the movie. While Yoko was watching the movie, a man sitting beside her reached out to touch her hand. Yoko immediately shifted her hand away and the man got up and left. However, she kept quiet about the incident during the duration of the movie. It was only until they came out of the theater that Yoko began crying in front of Ikuko and Machiko. She vowed to never forgive Onion (her nickname for the perpetrator), nor would she ever get married. However, her opinion seemed to change when she met Kawahara-san, Haruki's friend from college, who came for a visit...
Week Three - First Love 初恋
Yoko experiences her first love when she meet Haruki's friend Kawahara, who stays at their home during a visit. Just before they return to Matsumoto, Haruki and Kawahara invite Yoko to visit them, saying she could bring her friends along. Yoko eagerly looks forward to the visit, but it causes some strain between her and her father.
During their visit to Matsumoto, the five of them discuss their future plans. Ikuko says she wants to study in Tokyo, while Machiko says she will be staying back home. Haruki tells Machiko that it's not necessarily a bad thing. There will always be explorers out in the world, but there will also be the ones that wait for them at home. He believes he's also the type to follow in the path of his destiny.
After returning home, Machiko suddenly breaks down in front of Yoko and Ikuko. She blames Yoko for taking her to Matsumoto and for giving her all these mixed feelings. It turns out that Machiko has developed a crush on Haruki, but at the same time knows it's impossible to love someone since she's already engaged to be married. Yoko feels terrible after realizing this and decides that she will give up on her first love.
When Machiko misses school, Yoko and Ikuko visit her at her house. They find her stuffing herself with rice, hoping that if she becomes fat, her arranged marriage will be called off. The girls join in on the ridiculous plan, till Yoko begins to have cramps from overeating. Machiko's mother ends up calling a doctor for her.
Shigeki comes by to pick Yoko up. He wheels her in the same cart they used when they first moved to Matsumoto. On the way home, Yoko asks Shigeki what their mom would think of them today. She recalled how Machiko's mother blamed Yoko for being a bad influence on her daughter, and concluded that it was because she was brought up without a mother. Shigeki tells her that while he doesn't know what happened earlier, he knows that Yoko has fought hard and that she should be proud of herself.
Shigeki asks Yoko if she knew what was going on in his mind the day they arrived in Matsumoto. He tells her that he wanted to become a man who could pull a cart all by himself. Thanks to her today, he's become able to do so. Yoko realizes that Shigeki has truly become an adult. Shigeki reminds Yoko she owes him a favour and that he expects her to return it sometime soon.
Yoko continues to become troubled by thoughts of her mom, however she can't bring herself to ask her father. At that moment, her grandmother suddenly appears...
Week Four - Mother's Secret 母の秘密
With Yoko filled with questions of her mother's past, her grandmother makes a sudden visit to Azumino. Yoko was initially reluctant to speak with her grandmother, although Ryoichi gave both Yoko and Shigeki permission to ask her questions. Shigeki declined, saying he wanted to remember his mother from what he knew of her. Yoko on the other hand was curious about what her mother was like growing up.
During a visit to the candy store, Yoko sits down with her grandmother. She learns that Hiroko was the only child in the family. With her grandfather being a viscount, there were plans for Hiroko to marry right after graduating from high school. However, she had plans to become a teacher. Eventually Hiroko met Ryoichi, who was an engineer at the time and ran away from home. Fujiko was heartbroken, while her husband was furious and has yet to forgive them.
With Shigeki eavesdropping outside the store, Fujiko continues her story. As the family now had no heir, Fujiko and her husband initially planned to adopt Shigeki and raise him as their own. Because of their power and status, they had a way to take him away, even with Hiroko and Ryoichi's protest. However, it never happened because Haruki was the one who changed everything. Haruki told Fujiko that he would not let anyone separate his family. Since he was the eldest, he had responsibility to take care of his younger siblings. Fujiko was touched by his sincerity and returned to Tokyo alone. She told him that their conversation will remain a secret.
Both Shigeki and Yoko are extremely touched by Haruki's gesture. Fujiko later tells Yoko that she thought 'Yoko' was a great name. It turns out that Fujiko was the one who told Hiroko to 'become like the sun'. That was why her mother named her Yoko. As Fujiko was leaving, she tells Yoko that while they can never live together, she will always be her grandmother. If the time ever comes when she's in trouble, she'll be there to help her.
Knowing how much his family, especially his older brother has sacrificed for his sake, Shigeki becomes more determined to follow through with his dreams. He tells Ryoichi that he plans to join the Air Corps in the Navy and asks for his permission. Shigeki recalls how it was Hiroko who told him he could do anything in the future. After thinking it through, he decided that he wanted to protect the country, because in turn he would be protecting his family. Later at night, Ryoichi turns to the photo of Hiroko and tells her that she is still very much part of the household.
Yoko finds out that Machiko and Haruki both have feelings for each other. However, she's worried that they'll be unable to reciprocate their feelings since Machiko already has an arranged marriage. Ikuko tells Yoko that she got into a fight with her father about wanting to studying in Tokyo. While she doesn't want to leave her father alone, she refuses to stay in Azumino. Yoko on the other hand wishes to become a teacher. However, she needs to talk to someone to get a better perspective.....
Original Japanese relationship chart taken from the official NHK site.
Please properly credit if re-posted.
Follow the cuts for my weekly summaries. I might have to start posting fake cuts soon if this becomes too long to fit in one post.
Week One: Mother's Tears 母のナミダ
The story begins in Showa 7 (1932). Yoko is 10 years old when the Sudo family moves to Matsumoto. Yoko's mother Hiroko is very sick, and it is at her doctor's advice they relocate to the countryside. Yoko always had a great relationship with her mother, often going for walks together and singing her mother's favourite song. Hiroko taught Yoko that no matter what comes her way, she should always smile, because her smile is just like the sun. Hence it was also Yoko's namesake.
With Yoko being only 10 at the time, she did not really understand how serious her mother's illness was. It was only when she saw her older brother Haruki crying at night that she realized her mother was dying. She began to take responsibilities around the house, including preparing meals for the family.
At school, Yoko became friends with a girl named Yuki, who aspired to become a teacher. However because Yuki's family was poor, she could no longer continue to study and had to start working to support her family. Initially Yoko was very upset because she didn't understand why life was so unfair. However, she became determined to fulfill Yuki's dream of becoming a teacher.
During a sports competition at school, Yoko places second after a race. Although she didn't win herself, she was thrilled when Yuki came in first during her race. With her parents watching from a distance, Yoko's mom was relieved to know how Yoko unselfishly put other peoples' happiness before her own. She knew she didn't have to worry about Yoko anymore. She asked her husband to continue looking after her when she is gone.
In one of the last scenes from her childhood, Yoko's teacher, Takahashi-sensei tells the class they will be hiking up the mountain to watch the sunrise. Yoko is excited because she thinks she'll be closer to the sun. However, Hiroko's condition takes a turn for the worse and Yoko is hesitant to leave her side on the day of the trip. Hiroko instructs her daughter to go as she wants her to experience the sunrise in her place. As both of them stare out at the rising sun from opposite ends, Hiroko passes away in her husband's arms.
The story fast forwards to Showa 13 (1938), when Yoko is already 16 years old.
Week Two - Maiden's Prayer 乙女の祈り
On the way to school, Yoko is interrupted by a lady looking out at the soba field. Yoko introduces herself and finds out she owns a soba restaurant. When Yoko realizes she's late for school, she hastily runs off. While it was a brief encounter, she didn't realize till afterwards that it would a life-changing moment for her...
During her time at school, Yoko became close friends with two girls from her class, Ikuko and Machiko. Their friendship started when they played a prank on their English teacher, Mr. Ida, who they nicknamed Octopus. He was often very strict with his students and was constantly telling them their behaviour was unladylike (onna no kuse ni). As a way to rebel against him, everyone in their class promised to submit blank papers on their next test. However, it was only Yoko, Ikuko and Machiko who followed through with the plan. While the three of them cleaned the washroom as their punishment, they vowed to become best friends and called themselves the 'Blank Paper' trio.
Yoko and the others often had different views on love. As Machiko was from a wealthy family, it was always expected of her to marry once she completed high school. She didn't believe in love as she knew she wouldn't have a chance to experience it. Ikuko on the other hand, claimed to have been in love three times already. However, her dream was to travel abroad and to push the boundaries of what was acceptable for women in those times.
All three often hung out together at a candy store on their way home from school. However, because it was against school rules, they always had to sneak in from the side entrance. They became familiar with the shop owner Sadao, and his wife, Kayo, and often included her in their heart-to-heart talks.
After seeing a poster for a French film screening nearby, the three of them decided to go behind their parents' back to watch the movie. While Yoko was watching the movie, a man sitting beside her reached out to touch her hand. Yoko immediately shifted her hand away and the man got up and left. However, she kept quiet about the incident during the duration of the movie. It was only until they came out of the theater that Yoko began crying in front of Ikuko and Machiko. She vowed to never forgive Onion (her nickname for the perpetrator), nor would she ever get married. However, her opinion seemed to change when she met Kawahara-san, Haruki's friend from college, who came for a visit...
Week Three - First Love 初恋
Yoko experiences her first love when she meet Haruki's friend Kawahara, who stays at their home during a visit. Just before they return to Matsumoto, Haruki and Kawahara invite Yoko to visit them, saying she could bring her friends along. Yoko eagerly looks forward to the visit, but it causes some strain between her and her father.
During their visit to Matsumoto, the five of them discuss their future plans. Ikuko says she wants to study in Tokyo, while Machiko says she will be staying back home. Haruki tells Machiko that it's not necessarily a bad thing. There will always be explorers out in the world, but there will also be the ones that wait for them at home. He believes he's also the type to follow in the path of his destiny.
After returning home, Machiko suddenly breaks down in front of Yoko and Ikuko. She blames Yoko for taking her to Matsumoto and for giving her all these mixed feelings. It turns out that Machiko has developed a crush on Haruki, but at the same time knows it's impossible to love someone since she's already engaged to be married. Yoko feels terrible after realizing this and decides that she will give up on her first love.
When Machiko misses school, Yoko and Ikuko visit her at her house. They find her stuffing herself with rice, hoping that if she becomes fat, her arranged marriage will be called off. The girls join in on the ridiculous plan, till Yoko begins to have cramps from overeating. Machiko's mother ends up calling a doctor for her.
Shigeki comes by to pick Yoko up. He wheels her in the same cart they used when they first moved to Matsumoto. On the way home, Yoko asks Shigeki what their mom would think of them today. She recalled how Machiko's mother blamed Yoko for being a bad influence on her daughter, and concluded that it was because she was brought up without a mother. Shigeki tells her that while he doesn't know what happened earlier, he knows that Yoko has fought hard and that she should be proud of herself.
Shigeki asks Yoko if she knew what was going on in his mind the day they arrived in Matsumoto. He tells her that he wanted to become a man who could pull a cart all by himself. Thanks to her today, he's become able to do so. Yoko realizes that Shigeki has truly become an adult. Shigeki reminds Yoko she owes him a favour and that he expects her to return it sometime soon.
Yoko continues to become troubled by thoughts of her mom, however she can't bring herself to ask her father. At that moment, her grandmother suddenly appears...
Week Four - Mother's Secret 母の秘密
With Yoko filled with questions of her mother's past, her grandmother makes a sudden visit to Azumino. Yoko was initially reluctant to speak with her grandmother, although Ryoichi gave both Yoko and Shigeki permission to ask her questions. Shigeki declined, saying he wanted to remember his mother from what he knew of her. Yoko on the other hand was curious about what her mother was like growing up.
During a visit to the candy store, Yoko sits down with her grandmother. She learns that Hiroko was the only child in the family. With her grandfather being a viscount, there were plans for Hiroko to marry right after graduating from high school. However, she had plans to become a teacher. Eventually Hiroko met Ryoichi, who was an engineer at the time and ran away from home. Fujiko was heartbroken, while her husband was furious and has yet to forgive them.
With Shigeki eavesdropping outside the store, Fujiko continues her story. As the family now had no heir, Fujiko and her husband initially planned to adopt Shigeki and raise him as their own. Because of their power and status, they had a way to take him away, even with Hiroko and Ryoichi's protest. However, it never happened because Haruki was the one who changed everything. Haruki told Fujiko that he would not let anyone separate his family. Since he was the eldest, he had responsibility to take care of his younger siblings. Fujiko was touched by his sincerity and returned to Tokyo alone. She told him that their conversation will remain a secret.
Both Shigeki and Yoko are extremely touched by Haruki's gesture. Fujiko later tells Yoko that she thought 'Yoko' was a great name. It turns out that Fujiko was the one who told Hiroko to 'become like the sun'. That was why her mother named her Yoko. As Fujiko was leaving, she tells Yoko that while they can never live together, she will always be her grandmother. If the time ever comes when she's in trouble, she'll be there to help her.
Knowing how much his family, especially his older brother has sacrificed for his sake, Shigeki becomes more determined to follow through with his dreams. He tells Ryoichi that he plans to join the Air Corps in the Navy and asks for his permission. Shigeki recalls how it was Hiroko who told him he could do anything in the future. After thinking it through, he decided that he wanted to protect the country, because in turn he would be protecting his family. Later at night, Ryoichi turns to the photo of Hiroko and tells her that she is still very much part of the household.
Yoko finds out that Machiko and Haruki both have feelings for each other. However, she's worried that they'll be unable to reciprocate their feelings since Machiko already has an arranged marriage. Ikuko tells Yoko that she got into a fight with her father about wanting to studying in Tokyo. While she doesn't want to leave her father alone, she refuses to stay in Azumino. Yoko on the other hand wishes to become a teacher. However, she needs to talk to someone to get a better perspective.....