Eighth Shogun Yoshizune

The 34th installment of NHK's historical drama. The eighth shogun Yoshimune aired from January 8 to December 10, 1995. This drama depicts the story of Tokugawa Yoshimune, known as the 'Restorer of the Edo Shogunate' for implementing the Kyoho reforms during the mid-Edo period. The original work and screenplay were written by James Satsuki, who previously authored 'One-Eyed Dragon Masamune.' A distinctive feature of this drama is the role of Chikamatsu Monzaemon, played by Edo Shigeru, who serves as a narrator for the historical events. A similar narrative technique was used in the 2000 drama 'Aoi Tokugawa Sandai.' The cast features nearly all top-tier Japanese actors, making the drama very appealing. Notably, Nakamura Umezu, who plays Yoshimune's eldest son, the language-impaired ninth shogun Iemitsu, delivers many emotionally charged performances filled with tears, generating significant discussion. The previous three works ('Wind of Ryukyu,' 'Flames Up,' 'Flower's Chaos') had low viewing rates in historical drama history, while this installment recorded high ratings. Since the setting of this drama is during the peaceful Edo mid-period, it tends to be less captivating compared to the typically tumultuous Warring States and Bakumatsu stories. As a result, the drama centers around the 'family story of the shogun,' sometimes presenting a comic touch and at other times filled with emotion, depicting Yoshimune's life in a very charming way, with James Satsuki's techniques being quite commendable. 01 Portrait of Mother 02 Dog 03 Shogun's Daughter 04 Lord's Child 05 Lost in Edo 06 Parents' Shadow 07 Wild Strawberries 08 Tug-of-War 09 The Incident on the Pine Corridor 10 Heart in Love 11 The Akō Rōnin 12 Death of Tsuru-Hime 13 Tragedy of Kishu 14 Path to Success 15 Bride Education 16 Naked Daimyō 17 Death of Tsunayoshi 18 Retaliatory Personnel 19 Creating a Great Ruler 20 Demon of Controversy 21 Shogun at Four Years Old 22 Behind the Scenes Work 23 Ejima-Ikushima 24 How to Bend the Umbilical Cord 25 The Way of a Man 26 No Beautiful Women 27 Middle Management 28 Chief of the Ōoku 29 Promoting Agriculture, Restricting Commerce 30 Iroha 47 Groups 31 Suggestion Box 32 Prohibition of Double Suicide 33 Contradiction of the Law 34 Chikamatsu Ascends 35 Father's Back 36 Trouble with Women 37 Handling of Tenichibō 38 Wind and Cloud Child Munemasa 39 Free, That's What 40 Sadness of the City Bird 41 Shogun Yagi 42 Successor 43 Conditions of the Monarch 44 Three Brothers 45 Orange Tree 46 Decision 47 Grand Elder's Final Festival Music.