Komyo ga Tsuji - NHK Taiga Drama 2006
I finished 49 episodes of "Komyo ga Tsuji" in 7 weeks.... nagakattaaa (so long)~~~ XD
"Komyo ga Tsuji" literally translated as "The Path to Great Achievement", is 2006 NHK Taiga drama, starring Nakama Yukie, Kamikawa Takaya, Kagawa Teruyuki, Nagasawa Masami, Tamaki Hiroshi, Hasegawa Kyoko, Narimiya Hiroki, Nishida Toshiyuki, and many more.
The story sets in the 16th century during the warring era (Sengoku) and it was essentially about how one of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's loyal vassal/retainer, Yamauchi Kazutoyo paved his way to becoming a lord of a castle, with his wife, Chiyo, largely involved in his career.
I have to say this is a very good historical drama, although it has some boring moments in the middle and the fact that I don't like the male lead. But the story was very easy to digest and so now I come to know the details of the history in the Sengoku era.
I really enjoyed this taiga drama!!^v^ The script and cast are brilliant!
PLOT / STORYLINE
"Komyo ga Tsuji" script was written based on the novel by a popular jidaigeki novel author, Shiba Ryotaro published in 1965. The script is re-written by Oishi Shizuka. I have never heard of her before, but I think she did an excellent job.
The basic of the story, that it was the era where Oda Nobunaga initiated the effort of Japan unification. After he was killed, one of his loyal vassal, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, took over and continued his effort, and he successfully conquered all the lands. After Hideyoshi passed away, the Toyotomi clan was split into two, they had a big war, then Tokugawa Ieyasu won the battle and he managed to establish the Tokugawa shogunate.
The pace of story started a bit slow as it tells Kazutoyo and Chiyo's daily life as husband and wife. But I love Yamauchi Kazutoyo's vassals, the 2 old men, one of them acted by Takeda Tetsuya. They're funny^^ Kazutoyo and Chiyo's story as newly wed was pretty interesting too. The tension kept increasing as the story progressed, and I have to say the climax was when Oda Nobunaga was betrayed and he got killed. This part was very, very exciting!
Hideyoshi had to make Ieyasu bow to him, before he can took over complete ruling power, after Nobunaga's death. So they had a kind of cold war. Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu's cold war was REALLY FUN to watch too!^^ Really thanks to the 2 veteran actors' performance, I enjoy this part of the story to the max!
Then it got boring around the time of Toyotomi Hidetsugu incident. Hideyoshi didn't have a birth son. So, as Hideyoshi's nephew, he was suppose to be the Toyotomi clan's successor, but then Hideyoshi's concubine, Lady Yodo, gave birth to his son. So there was this internal war in the Toyotomi clan.
Then after Hideyoshi passed away, the war between Ishida Mitsunari and Tokugawa Ieyasu were not too exciting either. Most probably because I don't like Mitsunari in this version.
The story picked up again, right on the LAST 5 episodes, when Ieyasu gave the Tosa province to Yamauchi Kazutoyo, but the Tosa people refuse to bow to Yamauchi, so Yamauchi tried many ways to make the Tosa people to accept him as the lord, including in dirty ways (the only time he would do that XD).
Starting around the end of Season 1 all the way to early Season 4, it felt like Yamauchi Kazutoyo and Chiyo were NOT the main characters. It really felt like they're just side characters and their story is just a side-plot, because it's obvious the main focus of the Sengoku history involves the powerful men, Nobunaga, Hideyoshi and Ieyasu. They overshadowed Kazutoyo and Chiyo, coz Kazutoyo is just a vassal. So it felt like Kazutoyo lacks involvement in the main plot O_o Coz he was just a low-class vassal in the beginning... I finally felt he was the lead in that last 5 episodes XD
CAST
Nakama Yukie as Chiyo
Nothing much I can say about her. Her character is likeable, alright. But I have to say she just didn't really shine compared to the other characters... hmm.. I dunno what's wrong. But Nakama did a good job in portraying Chiyo. Just that, I don't have much to say about her in this drama. Chiyo is just a very, very good and supporting wife.
Kamikawa Takaya as Yamauchi Kazutoyo
Despite this drama is very enjoyable. I don't like the male lead, Kamikawa Takaya. I have never liked him since Shiroi Kage. No, there's nothing wrong with him or his acting. I just don't like him XD (pretty much, just like how I can never like Fujiki Naohito, although I know he's a nice man, just not really fond of seeing his acting, except in Hotaru)
The fact that Yamauchi Kazutoyo's character is so straight, honest and plain "white", doesn't help either. I mean, c'mon, who can keep so straight in a warring era like that! How stupid is he? XD
Plus, Kamikawa and Nakama does not have chemistry >_< I don't know, I just don't see them together... Everytime they had a sweet scene together, I couldn't go "aww..." at all XD
Kagawa Teruyuki as Rokuheita
Now THIS is the guy I want Chiyo to be with!!! Yes, I'm a Rokuheita-Chiyo shipper!!!*v*
Rokuheita is Chiyo's childhood friend. Carried away by the turmoil of the era, he became a ninja spy. He always watch out and protect Chiyo from afar. He kept providing Chiyo useful informations for the Yamauchi clan.
I loved it everytime Rokuheita and Kazutoyo had fighting/duel scenes with spears and/or swords. I kept cheering for Rokuheita, "Yes, yes! Just kill him! Make Chiyo a widow and take her with you!", LOL.
Rokuheita is quite a mysterious character. We don't know whether he's an ally or an enemy to the Yamauchi clan. But one thing for sure, Rokuheita live only to protect Chiyo forever T_T He loves her, but didn't expect anything in return T_T
Chiyo and Rokuheita's secret meetings and actions, without Kazutoyo knowing about their relationship in the beginning, reminds me of Ryoji-Yukiho's relationship in Byakuyakou O_o haha.
I *think* Rokuheita must be a fictious character. But he definitely made the drama more exciting.
Chiyo thinks of Rokuheita dearly too. She said he's like a brother for her. But I would like to think deep down, Chiyo loves him too =P
I sooo love it when suddenly Rokuheita jumped into Kazutoyo-Chiyo's bedroom from the roof! Wooo~ didn't see that coming! And when Kazutoyo was abt to attack Rokuheita, Chiyo came on forward and covered Rokuheita... ii kanji, ii kanji ^^
I want to say more on why I have faith in Rokuheita and Chiyo's relationship. But it will be a spoiler, bcoz it happened in the last 5 episodes. So I'll stop here^^
Whoa~ look how much I wrote abt him! I didn't realize I love this character this much, haha! How old is Kagawa? 44-45? Why does he always has great chemistry with younger actresses? First Kanno Miho in that "W no Higeki" drama sp, now Nakama Yukie^^
Tachi Hiroshi as Oda Nobunaga
I've seen many Oda Nobunaga-s before in various jidaigeki dramas. This one must be the most kowai(scary) one!! O_o He really did a superb job as the kowai Nobunaga. Somehow... I can really relate Tachi Hiroshi's Nobunaga with Kimura Takuya's young Nobunaga. The continuity fits. I can really imagine the old version of KimuTaku's Nobunaga as Tachi Hiroshi's Nobunaga. I really enjoyed that FujiTV drama sp, "Oda Nobunaga" starring Takuya back in 1998, btw.
Tachi Hiroshi really had the aura to be Nobunaga. He was especially scary when he has gone mad and thought of himself as a God O_o Gee, I really wish I can see Kimura Takuya play the older version of Oda Nobunaga someday^^
Having said all that, my favorite Nobunaga is still Sorimachi Takashi in "Toshiie to Matsu"! v^o^v To me, Sorimachi showed many sides of Nobunaga, not just the serious/scary side.
Wakui Emi as Noh, Nobunaga's wife
Dame... I don't know if it's the script's fault or Wakui Emi's fault. I like her as an actress, but she is WAY to submissive as Noh. According to historical records, Nobunaga described her as "she has the mind of a genius and the appearance of a goddess". She is suppose to be intelligent and stunningly beautiful. Plus, she has martial arts skills. Wakui Emi did not have any of these factors. She actually fought the warriors during the Honnoji temple incident, with a sword, but her moves were so lame^^;;; Dame, dame... totally didn't fit my image of Noh.
I don't remember No-hime in "Toshiie", but Nakatani Miki was definitely THE "No-hime" in "Oda Nobunaga" starring Kimura Takuya. Nakatani's Noh was smart, beautiful and strong-willed. And she has this mysterious aura, which she suppose to has, coz historical records also have theories that Noh was married to Nobunaga to be a spy.
Emoto Akira as Toyotomi Hideyoshi
SAIKOU!!! Superb!!! Excellent!! He was too old to be young-Hideyoshi in the beginning, but I'll forgive that, because he really was THE "Hideyoshi" in his glory days.
Seem like Hideyoshi is always portrayed the same way in many jidaigeki dramas. Smart, powerful, loyal yet has this humorous, funny, silly side. Where did the Japanese get this image from? hehe, I wonder if the real Hideyoshi is like this?
In "Toshiie to Matsu", I love Hideyoshi's funny interactions with his wife, One and his mother. This drama has that same interactions ^_^ So I'm satisfied. However, unfortunately... Emoto Akira's Hideyoshi is too much of an ojiisan XD I can't help but to feel disgusted, when he was trying to get the 20-yrs-old Chacha to sleep with him^^;;;
(I'm glad Kishitani Goro will be Hideyoshi in next year's GOU, he can definitely pull off the romantic scenes with Chacha =P)
Asano Yuko as Nene, Hideyoshi's wife
Wonderful!! Kakkoii!!! Awesome!!!! Loved her so much as Nene!! My favorite Nene/One until before I watch this drama, was Noriko Sakai in "Toshiie". After that I saw a couple of Nene-s including Nakama Yukie's Nene... but somehow I always felt disappointed. Noriko Sakai's Nene was kind of bitchy, but a lovable one, haha, she was funny. However, Asano Yuko's Nene was not bitchy at all, she has funny interactions as well with Hideyoshi, but she also has this onscreen presence, aura as the First Lady ^_^ I'm worried Ohtake Shinobu as One next year won't be able to fill her shoes, in my eyes^^;;;
Daichi Mao as Lady Oichi, Nobunaga's younger sister
Nobunaga and Ichi's relationship makes me scared a bit... they're blood-related siblings... but seem like they have feelings for each other MORE than as siblings??@_@
Haha... anyway, Daichi Mao was great as Ichi, her love story with Azai Nagamasa was pretty touching. But can't help to feel she's too old to be Ichi. I think Suzuki Honami next year would do better.
Oh yes... Hideyoshi is crazy about her. On the other hand, Ichi hates Hideyoshi to the core.
Nishida Toshiyuki as Tokugawa Ieyasu
Omg, how AWESOME can this old man be!! There are no words!!! He can portray him as a respectable, powerful lord. Yet, hillarious at the same time XD Sometimes, he has a dark side as well, but I still love this character all the same! His funny side is very subtle though. But that's exactly why.... he made Ieyasu so real! Just writing abt him now, made me want to laugh again, recalling his scenes XD
He esp. shines during the cold war with Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Ieyasu didn't want to bow to Hideyoshi, but Hideyoshi tried all these ways to lure him to Kyoto. Until Hideyoshi finally handed him over his sister to be Ieyasu's wife. One of the funniest scene was when Hideyoshi's mother came to Ieyasu's mansion, to visit her daughter, and they went all teary when they meet again, and they hugged each other. Then, Hideyoshi's mother told Ieyasu, "I'm your mother too now!". Ieyasu was all teary too(not sure if he pretend or not), and went all, "Mother, mother..." and hugged her too... mwahaha~
His funniest (yet subtle) scene, was when he received the news of Hideyoshi's death. He made this shocked expression and with just his underpants on (naked upper body), he went out of his room, looking up to sky, raising his two arms, saying, "Finally.... Nagakattaaa... nagakattaa(I waited so long)..."... LOL!!! I can sooo understand his feelings, hahaha.... waiting for Nobunaga to die, then Hideyoshi... and he can finally take on the ruling power XD Nishida Toshiyuki is just awesome!
Bando Mitsugoro as Akechi Mitsuhide
Known as Nobunaga's traitor and killer. I can't say much here but I liked him as Mitsuhide^^ He was such a straight, honest person. And was so loyal to Nobunaga. If I didn't read up, I would never thought he'd betray Nobunaga. Mitsuhide is Noh's cousin. In this drama, Noh loved him and still do even after Mitsuhide became Nobunaga's vassal.
Hasegawa Kyoko as Hosokawa Gracia (Tama)
Akechi Mitsuhide's daughter. I don't like HaseKyo much, but I think she did a good job as Tama. She really shines during the moments after Mitsuhide killed Nobunaga. The Hosokawa clan serves Nobunaga, so they couldn't let a traitor's daughter stay in the clan. Tama was about to be killed, but her husband saved her and let her escape to the mountains. Later on, Tama became a Christian and changed her name to Gracia.
And then later, in a certain time, she was asked to commit seppuku (harakiri), but she refused coz as a Christian she may not kill herself, since it's a sin. So... She really has a tragic life.. kawaisou... =(
Tamaki Hiroshi as Yamauchi Yasutoyo
Kazutoyo's younger brother. He appeared in Ep4, attending Kazutoyo and Chiyo's wedding. Then he appeared again in Ep30, since then he frequently appears. After the Honnoji incident, he became a ronin (masterless samurai) and wander around until he reached the mountains and Hosokawa Tama saved his life.
In the past, Yasutoyo didn't have a good relationship with Kazutoyo, but he finally returned to the Yamauchi clan, and he started working for his brother. There were hints that Yasutoyo fell in love with Tama, but then he married another woman.
The cutest thing was, Kazutoyo and Chiyo's 8-yrs-old daughter, Yone, fell in love with Yasutoyo ^_^ Yasutoyo made her a cricket from leafs, and then she came to like him and became all shy around him. Yone told her mother, Chiyo, "Mother, I want to be uncle's bride when I grow up!"... aww... Chiyo warned Yone that Yasutoyo is her blood-related uncle XD I like Tamaki as Yasutoyo, but his role was too little I have to say.
Nagasaku Hiromi as Chacha / Lady Yodo
Kowai onna(scary woman)^^;;; So far, I've seen 4 Chacha-s (hmm, 5 with the fictious Chacha in GOEMON, acted by Hirosue Ryoko). First, Matsu Takako in HIDEYOSHI, NHK taiga 1996. Second, Wao Yoko(ex-Takarazuka member) in CHACHA the movie. Third, Kazue Fukiishi in NENE TV Tokyo drama sp. Fourth, this Chacha in "Komyo".
All four were such resentful women^^;; All four hated Toyotomi Hideyoshi, wow!
Chacha is Ichi and Azai Nagamasa's first daughter. Indirectly, yes... Hideyoshi caused both of her parents' deaths. So she really loathed him.
However, later on, seem like Matsu's Chacha and Wao Yoko's Chacha came to love Hideyoshi. BUT, this version of Chacha hates Hideyoshi all the way and she loves Ishida Mitsunari, one of Hideyoshi's young vassal/retainer. (Oh, Nene hates Chacha here XD)
Chacha is quite a despicable woman here. But I don't hate her, I pity her coz she has to grow up bearing that resentment feelings forever.
And then she also had to sleep with Hideyoshi by force. And bear his child, twice XD Chacha was said to resemble her mother alot, so maybe Hideyoshi thought, "If I can't have the mother, why not the daughter??" *vomit* XD
I also pity her, coz she kept asking Ishida Mitsunari to sleep with her, but he always refused^^;;;
Anyway, according to historical record, Toyotomi Hideyoshi had 1 wife and 12 concubines before Chacha, but none of them can bear his child. But then, he slept with Chacha, and bam! A boy came out. Many people doubt that the baby is really Hideyoshi's child^^;;;
Maybe that's why many jidaigeki dramas portray Chacha as a woman who hates Hideyoshi ^^;
Miyazawa Rie's Chacha next year would be the total opposite of the previous Chacha-s. I wonder how would the audience take it.
Nakamura Hashinosuke as Ishida Mitsunari
I hate Ishida Mitsunari in this version, I don't like him at all, and it doesn't help that the actor recites his lines like in kabuki way XD (obviously, he's a kabuki actor, but c'mon, it's a TV drama... his kabuki way of speaking, really bothers me XD). And I thought Ishida Mitsunari is suppose to be young and hot, lol. But this one is quite an ojisan. Sorry I took examples from previous jidaigeki dramas, usually Mitsunari acted by young and handsome actors like Sanada Hiroyuki =P (Matsu Takako - Sanada Hiroyuki was quite a beautiful pair to see in HIDEYOSHI^^)
Takeda Tetsuya did a wonderful job as one of Kazutoyo's vassal.
Narimiya Hiroki was so-so as Toyotomi Hidetsugu. I have a feeling next year's Hidetsugu would be better.
And, OMG! NAMASE KATSUHISA!! Is there ANY drama/movie/butai stars Nakama Yukie that DOES NOT has Namase in it??? XD LOL! Nakama-Namase is like a package! Namase plays one of Hideyoshi's vassal who is pretty close with Kazutoyo.
Nagasawa Masami plays Korin, a ninja girl, who works for Rokuheita and she had an affair with Kazutoyo. She was very annoying in this drama^^;
One thing that doesn't make sense, the lack of Maeda Toshiie's appearance in this drama. Toshiie is one of Hideyoshi's closest person (in terms of friends and rival), it's IMPOSSIBLE that Kazutoyo never met Toshiie >_< Maeda Toshiie is suppose to be involved more in this story.
Karasawa Toshiaki reprised his role as Maeda Toshiie (after "Toshiie to Matsu" in 2002) and made a guest appearance in Ep39, the episode where Hideyoshi dies. But I was so disappointed with his appearance. I thought he'd have more spotlight in the episode, but it was really just a cameo appearance T_T
Also, the lack of Tokugawa Hidetada's appearance. Ieyasu's successor. Him being late to bring his troops to the Battle of Sekigahara and caused his relationship with father worsened, is quite a popular topic in history. I can't believe they didn't include this plot during the Battle of Sekigahara episodes. Furthermore, Sekigahara was said to be the Battle of the Century, but I think NHK failed in depicting it's grandeur-ness. The excitement of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide's battle after he killed Nobunaga was better for me.
I hope GOU next year would have an awesome Sekigahara battle. (esp. to see Mukai-Hidetada commanding an army *v*)
But I like the little appearance of Tokugawa Hidetada here, played Nakamura Baijaku, in the very last episode. Ieyasu sit in the back introducing him as his successor, and Hidetada was so nervous and slipped his tongue, he couldn't talk much and Ieyasu just laughed and mumbled, "You idiot," ^_^ Then I also like that on the scene where Ieyasu was about to die, Hidetada was by his side crying, "Chichiue! Chichiue(father)!", and Ieyasu's last words before he exhaled his last breath was, "Hidetada.... you idiot...".
If only "Komyo" scriptwriter would show Ieyasu-Hidetada's relationship as father and son a bit more, that line would've make more sense. I've read Ieyasu-Hidetada's relationship before from the historical facts and from GOU novel, so that scene really striked me. But I think if the viewers doesn't know about Ieyasu-Hidetada's story background, that last line of his, won't make sense at all.
The music scores were just so-so, nothing special. Only the script and the cast stands out in this drama, really.
"Komyo ga Tsuji" is the first drama with many battle scenes that I can enjoy!!^v^ I, now, totally understand the Sengoku era history. SUBARASHII!!! I think the Sengoku history is really exciting.
I've watched Red Cliff before, I've watched Mainland China series on Sun Tzu before... I fell asleep halfway Red Cliff, and I couldn't pass over 7th episode (out of 40 eps) in that Sun Tzu series. Really, those battle stuff can really make me sleep^^
Watching Oda Nobunaga's career... somehow I'm curious abt Genghis Khan now, he unified the Mongol tribes and established the Mongolian empire, deshou. I'm quite interested in this Mongolian-Mainland joint production 30-eps series titled "Genghis Khan". The veteran actor who plays Genghis Khan, Ba Sang, is the direct lineal descendant of Genghis Khan... wow, how scary is that O_o I've seen him reprising his role as Genghis Khan in "Legend of Condor Heroes 2003". And I do have to say he's awesome!
Back to Sengoku history... the ruling power goes from Oda Nobunaga to Toyotomi Hideyoshi to Tokugawa Ieyasu, and then he managed to establish the Tokugawa shogunate for 250 years, until the Meiji restoration in the end of 19th century. I'm quite curious of what is actually the secret of the success of the Tokugawa clan?
After Oda Nobunaga passed away, the Oda clan came to an end, coz none of his brother nor sons were competent enough to continue his effort as a leader.
Then Toyotomi Hideyoshi passed away, the Toyotomi clan was ending slowly, most probably because his successor, Hideyori, was too young.
But the Tokugawa shogunate stayed strong for centuries. How could the Tokugawa-s maintained their ruling power? Does that mean Tokugawa Hidetada was a great leader as great as his father... but he was described as a fool in "Komyo" and as an apathetic man in GOU XD No sense of leadership at all. Hehe, I wonder...
But I guess Ieyasu was smart enough to retire as the shogun only after 2 years and immediately let Hidetada take the shogun position while he is still healthy. It kind of confirmed the Tokugawa clan's status as the ruling power.
See?? Kazutoyo and Chiyo didn't left much impression at all in my mind!!! XD It's all Nobunaga-Hideyoshi-Ieyasu that left me a deep impression^^ They're really awesome leaders!
Not sure how this drama is, compared to "Toshiie to Matsu" coz I can only remember bits and pieces from "Toshiie". But FOR SURE, I'M REALLY SURE.... Karasawa-Matsushima was definitely a more powerful combi than Kamikawa-Nakama XD