AOI ~Tokugawa Sandai~
Finished another 49 episodes of NHK Taiga Drama!^o^
Actually I finished this a few week ago, but only now I have the time to finish my review on this taiga drama ^_^
This one totally worth my time! Didn't feel like it was too long, coz I kept wanting to watch more and more. Everytime I finished download and watch 10 episodes, I really couldn't wait for the next batch to finish downloading.
I'm sorry to say... Shinsengumi is not my #1 taiga anymore XD Gomeeeen, Shingooo~~~ Yurushite(forgive me)!! XDDD
I really loved "AOI~Tokugawa Sandai"!! I think the fact that the leading character is so HUMANE is the winning point. I guess the reason why I kept wanting to watch more is that I want to know what happens next to him, because I feel attached with the character already.
"AOI ~ Tokugawa Sandai" is 2000 NHK Taiga drama, starring Tsugawa Masahiko, Nishida Toshiyuki, Onoe Shoroku, and Iwashita Shima. "AOI" means "Hollyhocks Leaf", the "triple hollyhocks leaves" is the Tokugawa family crest. "Tokugawa Sandai" means "Three Generations of the Tokugawa".
As the title says, the story sets in the end of the 16th century goes all the way to the middle 17th century and it tells the first 3 generations of the Tokugawa family: Ieyasu, Hidetada and Iemitsu. Grandfather, fathers, sons and grandson.
Thus, the leading roles were a relay. Ep1-19's lead was Tsugawa Masahiko as Ieyasu. Ep20-48 was Nishida Toshiyuki as Hidetada. Ep49 was Onoe Shoroku as Iemitsu.
It's interesting how the 3 generation of the family heads so differs to each other in terms of characteristics. Ieyasu is like the counterpart of the perfect CEO of the modern days, he's very smart yet evil, actually he's not totally evil, in fact he loves and cares abt his children and concubines very much, but when it comes to achieve his goals, he can be very evil. Hidetada is not the typical Sengoku man, he's a very low-profiled son and very kind by nature, well-known as the henpecked husband because he's scared of his wife, he almost had no "demon" inside him, but after Ieyasu died, he finally had an evil side of him. Iemitsu is the most despicable kind, very snobbish and greedy, a rapist, violent, he totally wasn't a lovable character at all, but his character got a little bit better towards the end.
With the various characters, the father and son relationships were very interesting. Also, I love, love, love very much Hidetada's relationship with his wife, Gou! The couple (mostly Hidetada though) provides the comic and comedy relief to the max in the show!^o^ Imagine a taiga version of "Oniyome Nikki" (My Evil Wife) ^_^ But this one is more realistic and in a more subtle way, but still very comical!
One problem though, depends on your preference. This drama lacks young and familiar eye-candy actors and actresses ^_^
PLOT / STORYLINE
"AOI" was an original script by James Miki. The script is very good, with crazy details and very faithful historical facts, with smart and good lines as well. I don't think I can find any other perfect historical script adaptation other than this one! According to wiki, James Miki was kind of reluctant to write this one, because he was more interested to write the next year, 2001 taiga drama, Hojo Tokimune. Can't imagine how any more perfect can it be if James Miki were to write something he's really interested in XD
The story is basically of how the Tokugawa shogunate was established and about the early days of the shogunate before it became a stable government system. I would divide the series into three saga-s. First, Ep1-13, the Sekigahara Battle: Ieyasu vs Ishida Mitsunari (on behalf of Toyotomi clan). Second, Ep14-30, the Siege of Osaka: Ieyasu-Hidetada vs Lady Yodo (Toyotomi Hideyoshi's concubine and mother of the heir). Third, Ep31-49, Hidetada-Iemitsu vs the Court / the Nobles (the Emperor family).
The drama was BLOODY AWESOME even from Ep1. I was amazed from the pilot episode. The first episode was 90 minutes divided to 2 parts. Ep1 covers Battle of Sekigahara in details. I can finally understand why this battle is so popular and called The Battle of The Century. They handled the battle scenes in very colossal and grandeur manner. Each Toyotomi vassals(there were about 20 of them, I think, both in Mitsunari and Ieyasu sides) were acted by well-known veteran actors, like I know their faces very well, although I don't remember/know their names (they often get supporting roles in many dramas).
The battle was told in very, very detailed way and chronologically. I really think this episode might have been shown in Japanese history classes^^
And apparently Ep1 was like a prologue or more of a digest of the Sekigahara battle, Ep2 will go back to where Hideyoshi just pass away, and how it lead to the Sekigahara Battle. Then, the Sekigahara battle will be shown once again including the unseen footage in Ep11 and 12.
Very different than the usual taiga dramas that usually start from when the leading character was born. Opening scene was suddenly heat-up moments and then a war.
One of the most interesting part of this series, is the STORYTELLER. Usually, there's a narrator in every taiga dramas. But nooo... this drama have a storyteller acted by Nakamura Baijaku. Not only he appeared in the opening of every episode, but he also appeared here and there during the episodes to explain certain confusing historical facts and all. The storyteller's function basically tries to explain to the audience why does the drama choose to believe in one theory and not the other theory. The storyteller segments provides comic relief as well, as he discuss the historical facts with his two pupils. And oh right, the storyteller sometimes mysteriously appeared in the middle of the scene of the drama as well^^ The storyteller is suppose to live in the end of 17th century, so sometimes they made it like he travelled back in time XD Despite the fact that the storyteller lives in the 17th century, he uses many modern words, LOL, I laughed when he said the Kyoto Deputy is like the FBI in America =P He also thanked the TV audience for the letters sent to them, lol.
There's almost no draggy plot and pace for me, in this series. Perfect pacing, imo!! First time for me watching a taiga drama without having to fast-forward it XD
CHARACTERS
TOKUGAWA IEYASU
Tsugawa Masahiko
Founder of the Tokugawa clan. He was born a Matsudaira. His name during youth was Matsudaira Motoyasu. But then he created the surname Tokugawa. A very smart and capable leader comparable with Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The way he accomodate his vassals reminds me of a Japanese CEO nowadays^^
He has killed his own wife and first son under Oda Nobunaga's order but regretted it later.
To achieve his goals, he did many bad things. Sometimes I can like him, sometimes I can hate this old man. But his knowledge and way of thinking did amaze me very much.
He taught Hidetada, his son, that to be a leader, he has to keep, at least, one demon inside himself.
The only thing I complain for him is, he has TOO MANY young concubines, and it gets disgusting when they showed a scene of Ieyasu and his young concubine on bed being lovey-dovey... YUCK! XD
PERFECT casting!! I think, Tsugawa was the one of the best Ieyasu, thanks to James Miki's script too, I guess^^
TOKUGAWA HIDETADA
Nishida Toshiyuki
Ieyasu's third son. His mother was one of Ieyasu's concubine, Lady Saigo. In his youth, he was quite close with his older brother (different mother), Yuki Hideyasu, and his younger brother (same mother), Matsudaira Tadayoshi.
Compared to his brothers, Hidetada didn't stand out much in sword skills nor did he perform well in battles. He came late to the Sekigahara battle, was one of the thing he is famous for. He is not very smart nor knowledgeable as well. I enjoyed scenes everytime Ieyasu made sudden quizzes for Hidetada, like when he asked him, "Let me ask you, what do you think a country/nation is?". Then Hidetada became all nervous and stuttered, "Uhh.... a country is.... uhh, the people...? ....and the land...?". LOL, very realistic. There were moments like this so many times during Hidetada's youth. I feel very kawaisou everytime Hidetada is cornered like that. Especially when his ideas or way of thinking is considered wrong or lame by his father. He got scold by Ieyasu so many times too, due to his blunders. But I guess, Ieyasu meant no harm to him, as a father, he just wanted his son to use his brain more.
In other words, Hidetada is so not samurai-like compared to his brothers. Ieyasu's vassals were wondering why would Ieyasu choose Hidetada as his successor. Most of them support Hideyasu to be the successor, instead. Actually Ieyasu had his doubts as well, because he thought Hidetada made many blunders. But after thinking over, Ieyasu made the final decision that Hidetada should be his successor. Later he revealed that the reason was because Hidetada is close with the vassals, he treat them nicely and kind to them. Ieyasu believed that with loyal vassals, the Tokugawa clan would last longer.
Compared to Ieyasu, Hidetada was a very kind and understanding leader. Plus, he has really learned alot from his father, accepted it well in his mind and it made him grow as a leader. Bit by bit he really became a fine, capable and wise ruler. He managed to strengthen the foundation of the Tokugawa shogunate as well with new laws and government system, with his vassals support.
Ieyasu and Hidetada have a very interesting father and son relationship. Loves how they hate each other, but actually care abt each other, esp. on Ieyasu's side. The part where Ieyasu and Hidetada were arguing and ended in a wrestle was EPIC!! LOL! I really didn't see that coming XD
Hidetada is also a "family-man". He's a devoted husband... also a henpecked husband^^ He loves to play around with his children. And looooved his comical scenes with Ogou, his wife. Actually, it's Hidetada who always reacts so funny around his wife^^
But they had their romantic and touching moments as well. Actually, they can strangle each other at one moment, and then hugs and caresses each other at another moment.
My only complain is the fact that the 53 years old Nishida Toshiyuki had to act Hidetada from 19 years old to 53. And the 59 years old Iwashita Shima had to act Gou from 25 years old to 53, as well. (However, Gou is suppose to be 6 years older than Hidetada, and the actress is coincidentally 6 years older than Nishida as well.)
So I couldn't really enjoy much the romantic moments when they were suppose to be young. Just feel awkward that an old couple was being lovey-dovey like that XD But their touching moments during their 50s was portrayed perfectly, well... since it matches their ages^^
The cast's old appearance aside, I think James Miki writes Hidetada and Gou's husband and wife relationship wonderfully and realistically. Although, Hidetada loves Ogou sincerely, but he had an affair twice with 2 different women. I'm not sure if I can say they're an affair though, because having concubines is suppose to be common in this era. Actually, Hidetada never have the urge to play around with other women, but since Ogou kept giving birth to baby girls, his father Ieyasu and his vassals kept persuade Hidetada to take concubines, so they can bare him a successor. Hidetada was cornered like he had no other choice. At another time, even after Ogou gave birth to a boy, Hidetada's vassal is still persuading him to take concubine, because as a shogun, it's so bizarre that he doesn't have a concubine, and people might think he has some illness or something (lol), once again Hidetada felt cornered again and coincidentally, he was currently striked by one of the maid's beauty that time, so he chose that maid.
So I think he did it, just because he had the pressure to do the common thing as other rulers does, that is to have concubines. Maybe he was worried, people would think of him not a real man, if he doesn't take any concubine at all, or maybe he was worried it will worsen the "henpecked husband" image, people have on him.
If Hidetada were to live in nowadays era, I'm sure he would never have those affairs^^
But in the end, when the maid was pregnant, he was so afraid that Ogou would find out, and send her away far from the Edo castle X)
Anyway, Hidetada-Ogou is definitely the best taiga couple!!^o^ Love their relationship so much! Their last scene was very, very touching. "What do you think of me all these time? I'm very stubborn, I'm must be hard to handle. Have you ever think of divorcing me?", "Not even once. I couldn't ask for a better wife than you,".
I think there's really no other Shogun have this kind of relationship with his wife. Most shogun-s only care about their concubines rather than their wife. Maybe Tokugawa Iesada and Atsu-hime were close, but they were only together for 2 years XD
Back to Hidetada...
Hidetada is like a role destined for Nishida Toshiyuki. Hidetada = Nishida = Hidetada. It's really his most suitable role and best acting performance I ever seen from Nishida Toshiyuki! Just really too bad, Nishida Toshiyuki was too old to play 19 years old Hidetada, lol. If they were to cast a younger version of Hidetada here, I think Hamada Gaku would be perfect for the role. A boy that doesn't stand out^^
Mukai Osamu's Hidetada next year in GOU, would be a bit different than this Hidetada, so I will keep that in mind and be open-minded abt the difference XD
TOKUGAWA IEMITSU
Onoe Shoroku
Hidetada and Gou's 5th child, 1st son. Unlike his grandfather and father, he was born a shogun. Somehow he likes to boast about this. When he was born, a wetnurse was immediately assigned to take care of him, so he grew up far from his birth parents' observation. In his childhood, he's really a brat with bad attitude, doesn't like to study, and easily falls ill. He also liked to put women clothes and put on make-up and lipstick on his face when he was a child, Gou, his mother was totally shocked to see that. In his teenage hood, under the influence of his uncle who has the same age as him, he likes to sneak outside and kill somebody to test a new sword. And then he barged into the Inner Chambers (Ooku), raped a maid and made her pregnant. (Since then, Hidetada forbid any man to enter the Ooku) He's easily suspicious of anyone's intention and he's quite a neurotic. The only person he trusted the most is Ofuku, his wetnurse, whom he consider as his mother.
Really too bad that Hidetada and Iemitsu didn't have much father and son interactions as much as Ieyasu-Hidetada, before Iemitsu became shogun. But after Iemitsu become shogun, Hidetada had many scenes with him, but still... I didn't feel a strong bond between them, unlike Ieyasu-Hidetada. Sometimes, I feel like Iemitsu hates Hidetada and Gou... or maybe he really does.
After he became the 3rd Shogun, he became more arrogant than ever.
He didn't want to bow down to the Emperor, and wanted the Emperor to bow down to him, or at least he wanted to be equal as the Emperor.
He started out as a brat but after he became the shogun somehow he became more leader-like and wiser, but still despicable for me XD
One fact that this drama left out. The fact that Iemitsu was a bisexual and he had a male lover during his teenage hood. This drama only shows how Iemitsu hated woman for a certain period, but that's all. According to the history, he was a homosexual for a certain period, and this is not even categorized as a rumor XD
But seem like NHK is anti-homosexual, so they never include nor mention such facts into their adaptation. The same case as "Shinsengumi!", many historical records stated the homosexuality among the Shinsengumi members, but not a single mention about it existed in the 2004 taiga drama, in fact they provided so many romances between Shinsengumi members with the women, as if like they were trying to deny the fact =P
Back to Iemitsu, I think Onoe Shoroku did a perfect job as Iemitsu!! He portrayed him EXACTLY like how the historical facts described him. He's a kabuki actor and he was 25 years old in this drama, still looking cute. Right now, he's 35 already, and looks very ojisan-like, esp. since he's fat now XD He's Matsu Takako's 2nd cousin, his real surname is the same as Matsu's real surname... FUJIMA ^_^ Their grandfathers were birth brothers. Actually Ichikawa Ebizo's grandfather, Onoe Shoroku's grandfather and Matsu Takako(also Ichikawa Somegoro)'s grandfather are birth brothers.
I wonder why he didn't get much TV acting jobs, I think his acting performance was really wonderful in AOI and left me a deep impression.
Yamada Takayuki appeared in Ep34-36 as young Iemitsu.
Oguri Shun, Suzuki Kyoka and Nakama Yukie made brief appearances. Oguri as Hosokawa Tadaoki's son and Suzuki as Hosokawa Gracia.
Nakama Yukie as Oraku, Iemitsu's concubine who gave birth to his heir, the 4th shogun, Tokugawa Ietsuna. She appeared in the last 15 minutes of the final episode.
Filming sets were mostly in the studio and really lacks of outdoor location, not to mention beautiful sceneries. Maybe they spent all their budget for the Sekigahara Battle, I dunno XD
Music was also very futsu (so-so)...
The strength of this drama is really just the wonderful script and the cast ^_^
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Available in D-Addicts^^
Thanks to this drama, I'm now addicted to anything TOKUGAWA XD I'm currently trying to download any drama/movie with Tokugawa shogun as the lead, or important characters. That's why I'm also currently watching the OOKU series, heheh.... and I'm watching them in the order of the shogun, not in the order of the production year =P