Asian Drama

"Ooku" is the story of the picturesque lives of the women living in the hidden, maze-like inner structure of Edo Castle. Inside, the women wielded their beauty and knowledge: some of them to win the Shogun's love, obtain political power, or to climb the ladder of the Ooku hierarchy. Their lives were filled with romance, hatred, anger, envy, tears, and persecution. Of the three-century history of the Tokugawa Ooku, this drama focuses on the last several years. It tells the story of the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Ooku, and also the lives of the women who lived through these times.

Hiroshi Kataoka works at a bank. He receives a promotion to manager of the Kamata branch. He is also informed that the Kamata branch will be shut down and he does not have to work hard. After the branch's shutdown, he will work again at the bank's headquarters. Hiroshi Kataoka is embarrassed by the situation. He sees the branch employees work hard and they do not know the branch will close. Hiroshi Kataoka is conflicted between his job and his employees.

Continuation from season 1.

Saionji Hajime serves the wealthy Ijuuin family. He graduated at the top of the London school for butlers. As the perfect butler, housekeeping skills and management of the mansion go without saying. He mastered martial arts and also has knowledge of all sorts of genres including science and history. Saionji has established a firm relationship of trust with Yuriko, the widow of the head of the Ijuuin family. He abides by the wishes of the inquisitive Yuriko and independently investigate difficult case. No matter how capable he is as a butler, he should be an amateur at investigating cases. However, nothing is impossible for Saionji who brilliantly figures out the mystery with his knowledge and skills.

Shortly after the end of World War II, Noriko Oba starts a small dressmaking class in the Kansai region. She opens a school for dressmaking and their ornaments. Noriko gains recognition in the fashion world, but, at the same time, she is not welcome there due to jealousy and vanity.

~~ Based on a novel by Toyoko Yamasaki (1961).

The 69th NHK Asadora Drama is Teruteru Kazoku. Locations include Ikeda, Osaka and Sasebo, Nagasaki. The story, based on Rei Nakanishi's novel, is about the Iwata family living in Ikeda, Osaka City between 1950's and 1960's. The story is told through the eyes of the youngest daughter, Fuyuko (16). The family runs a bakery. The mother, Teruko, is a very energetic woman who is determined to make her dreams come true. Responding to Teruko's expectations, the eldest daughter becomes a figure skater and the second daughter becomes a very famous professional singer. In contrast, Fuyuko finds her joy in bread making..

The 69th NHK Asadora Drama is Teruteru Kazoku. Locations include Ikeda, Osaka and Sasebo, Nagasaki. The story, based on Rei Nakanishi's novel, is about the Iwata family living in Ikeda, Osaka City between 1950's and 1960's. The story is told through the eyes of the youngest daughter, Fuyuko (16). The family runs a bakery. The mother, Teruko, is a very energetic woman who is determined to make her dreams come true. Responding to Teruko's expectations, the eldest daughter becomes a figure skater and the second daughter becomes a very famous professional singer. In contrast, Fuyuko finds her joy in bread making..

Drama special featuring two stories, starring Sawajiri Erika as 2 different Edo-era concubines, a different one in each episode.

In the first part, “Saikyo no Onna”, Erika will play “Omiyo”, one of Tokugawa Ienari’s concubines that rose through the ranks to reach a high level.

In the second part, “Higeki no Shimai”, she’ll play “Ume”, Tokugawa Ienari’s favorite concubine.

Takako is a wedding planner who has to deal with five weddings at the same venue on a lucky day, but on that morning, a threatening letter arrives demanding that all the ceremonies be canceled. She frantically tries to find the culprit while working to keep the wedding schedule without delay. Meanwhile, the secrets that each of the couples have been hiding come to light one by one.

In the early Edo period, an encounter with Oichi (Mizukawa Asami), the daughter of the chief retainer Umemiya Shuzen (Sakai Masaaki) of a small domain, prompts the dull Sarutobi Sasuke (Ito Atsushi), a budding ninja who was born in a ninja village deep in the mountains, to charge off for the capital.

While Sarutobi attempts to protect Oichi from intrigue, Tokusaburo (Yanagiba Toshiro), a devious, mysterious merchant, appears before him. And then Sarutobi’sarchnemesis, Hattori Hanzomon, the grandson of Hattori Hanzo.

Mika is in her first year of high school. While Mika accidentally met a flashily dressed boy called Hiro at school, she turns and flees. They soon fall in love each other. Their days pass happily, but the trouble is coming to them...

Adapted from the cell-phone novel.

The 45th NHK Taiga Drama is Komyo ga Tsuji.

Kazutoyo lived during the end of the Sengoku period (1546-1605). He was the first feudal lord of the fief of Tosa on the island of Shikoku. He served Nobunaga Oda, Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Chiyo (1557-1617) was his wife, and was known in history for her dedication and devotion to her husband (like Matsu was to Toshiie in Toshiie to Matsu). She is the daughter of a samurai who served the feudal lord Asai.