April 26, 2008
Atsuhime 12-16: Auberginefleur's Synpopsis
I have been remiss in my Auberginefleur’s Synopsis of Atsuhime. I don’t really remember any more which events occurred in which episode, so I will just sum up the main happenings to date as best I can remember them.
Episode 12: Farewell Sakurajima
When I last left off, Atsuhime was preparing to depart for Edo. Her tutor, Ikushima, cautioned Atsuhime that when all those who have known her are invited to say their final farewells at Nariakira’s castle, she must evince no expression of sadness, and certainly not cry. She made it through all her acquaintances, and managed to hold it in while her mother and father said their goodbyes, but when it came to Naogoro’s turn and he gave her messages from Shosuke’s family, she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. Ikushima immediately called a halt to the farewell audience, and of course scolded Atsuhime for her show of emotion.
Atsuhime sets off on her journey by boat, and despite the rough seas refuses to go below deck. Ikushima tells her to go below, but Atsuhime refuses, saying that she wants to gaze on Satsuma until it goes out of sight, because this is the last time she will ever see it, and indeed she never set foot on Satsuma again.
Episode 13: The Mother in Edo
Atsuhime gets major seasick on the boat and is confined to her bed. When she wakes up she sees beside her the sculpture of the Buddhist deity Fugen that her mother had given her. She asks Ikushima, if she was the one who thought to set it out for her. And, realizes that Ikushima stayed up all night beside Atsuhime’s bed to make sure she was all right. From then on, the relations between the two improve, and Ikushima grows to have respect and affection for Atsuhime.
They arrive in Kyoto and have an audience with the nobleman Konoe. While there, his wife warns Ikushima that there is resistance in Edo to Atsuhime marrying the Shogun. Whether this warning was given out of kindness or spite was not clear to me. Konoe has some Japanese style sweets presented to Atsuhime that were sent from her adoptive mother in Edo, and Atsuhime very much looks forward to meeting her adoptive mother who she thinks must be very kind and thoughtful.
Arriving in Edo it is quite some time before she gets to meet her adoptive mother, Lady Hisa. Instead of the warm welcoming that Atsuhime was expecting, her mother addresses her from behind a screen and coldly tells her that her marriage to the Shogun has not been agreed on, and that the proposed marriage was a unilateral decision made by Nariakira without consulting her or anyone else.
In the meantime, back in Satsuma, Nariakira decided not to take Naogoro or the tutor, Kiyomichi, with him to Edo, instead selecting Atsuhime’s and Naogoro’s old friend, Kichinosuke, of a somewhat lower class. Naogoro is of course crushed, and when discussing it with the tutor, the tutor admits that he himself was disappointed but decided to have faith in Nariakira’s decision.
Episode 14: The Father's Request 父の願い
Atsuhime is not satisfied with her cold greeting from her adoptive mother and wants a chance to meet her again, but her mother refuses to have another audience with Atsuhime, so Atsuhime sits in the audience room day and night until her mother finally gives in. Atsuhime wants to know more about the marriage situation, and probably wants to gain her mother’s favor, but when her mother turns to leave, Atsuhime is not willing to let her go and accidentally tramples the hanging screen separating her mother from them. Thus, Atsuhime learns that her adoptive mother’s face is scarred from an accident (a fire?), and that is why her mother hides behind a screen and veil. And here I though it was because her mother was a nun.
Iesada is officially designated as the 13th Tokugawa Shogun. The black boats of Perry return to Edo and the Shogunate signs the unfair trade treaty opening the Japanese ports to intercourse with Western countries.
Nariakira is called up to Edo, put before leaving pays a visit to Atsuhime’s father, who lays sick dying. Atsuhime’s father, Tadatake, as a last request asks Nariakira not to tell Atsuhime how sick he is.
Eventually Nariakira arrives in Edo, and Atsuhime joyfully runs along the corridor to greet him, but is turned back and not allowed to see him until he has a formal audience. Now my memory falters but, after the formal audience I believe Nariakira sends everyone else away so he can talk with Atsuhime. She asks him about the marriage situation and he tells her to trust him. Finally, Nariakira cannot hold it back any longer, and breaks his promise to tell Atsuhime that her natural father has died. Atsuhime of course cries her eyes out.
Episode 15: Atsuhime Goes to Battle
Kichinosuke comes to Edo, and Nariakira puts him to task of ordering Atsuhime’s bridal dowry. Kichinosuke says he is not up to the task, and Nariakira chides him saying, never say impossible to me again!
Nariakira had just cemented the family relations to the aristocratic Konoe family by promising his grandson to marriage of one of their daughters, when the grandson falls deathly ill and dies. Nariakira also shortly afterwards falls deathly ill and lays close to death. I would imagine it is likely the sickness was brought from Satsuma when Nariakira last saw Atsuhime’s natural father, but rumor has it a curse placed by Oyura the mistress of Narioki. You may remember that there was an incident in Satsuma a while back when they tried to make their son, Hisamitsu, the next governor of Satsuma. It was as a result of that incident that Shōsuke’s father was incarcerated. Anyway, Atsuhime takes the issue into her own hands and goes directly to Narioki and Oyura’s residence to verify the rumor. Oyura becomes very upset and cries, why does everyone always blame everything on me? I would never do such a thing. Atsuhime is moved by her outcry and believes her, she reports back at Nariakira’s residence that Oyura is not the source of the curse.
Finally, back in Satsuma, Shōsuke’s father is allowed to return home from his imposed exile.
Episode 16: The Storm of the Flower Viewing
Nariakira finally recovers from his illness, and pushes for the acceptance of Atsuhime’s marriage to the Shogun. The Shogun himself is retarded and with his childish mentality is not too interested in having a wife. He says when he can grill his Japanese crackers successfully he will agree to a wife. For Atsuhime’s marriage to come about, not only is the Shogun’s acquiescence necessary, but also the approval of Nariaki. To that end, Nariakira invites Nariaki to Nariakira’s residence for a flower viewing.
Nariakira and his wife Lady Hisa do not get along very well, and it seems she is against the marriage. Nariakira asks what she thinks of the flower viewing idea, and she says it is a fine idea, as regardless of the outcome at least it will decide the issue. Nariakira leaves mad, saying when I say sakura (cherry blossoms), you say ume (plum blossoms). Lady Hisa has her main lady-in-waiting deliver a newly edited set of the Japan History called the Nihon Shoki, saying they are from Nariakira. It seems as though this is her attempt to make Atsuhime fail, by over educating her.
After Nariaki arrives, Nariakira asks for permission to introduce Atsuhime, and Nariaki accedes. When Atsuhime makes her greetings, Nariaki is told about Atsuhime’s interest in Japan’s history. He tells her to go ahead and ask her questions, not expecting much, but Atsuhime asks very tough questions about the government policy regarding opening the country to the West. Nariaki is angered and stands up to leave, but then, turns around and says that everybody else id afraid of him and very careful around him. This is the first time in a long time that anyone has voiced their real opinion. Ikushima invites him to join Atsuhime for further discussion out at the viewing porch.
Back at the Shogun’s quarters, Iesada is busily grilling his crackers on a brazier. Will it be successful this time? He gets up to argue with the attendants, and is mother takes the opportunity to pick up the, by now burnt cracker, and declare it delicious, and so Iesada accedes to the marriage.
In Satsuma, Naogoro feels rather put out at being left in Satsuma away from all the action and, of course Atsuhime. He whines about it while talking to the incense teacher, and she gets really angry with him for not taking his role more seriously. She says it is only because they have entrusted Satsuma to him that her brother and Nariakira can go about their own work without worry. Naogoro is at first taken aback by her vehemence, but then sees her point, and thanks her for waking him up. Next thing you know though, he is soon called up to Edo.
In the meantime, Atsuhime has a talk with Nariakira about his wife, and tells him how worried his wife had been when he was ill, so that she stayed every night praying for his recovering. Nariakira visits his wife and tries to make inroads on improving their relations. It seems she has appeared cold only because she thought he didn’t love her anymore, and asks if he is still interested in her as a woman, as she finally removes her veil.
* Episode 17 Streamline Video via J Yahoo TV Drama Episode 17
http://meta.yahoo-streaming.jp/webevents/yahoo/tv/atsuhime/LfOeMVxJ_1m.asx
Dramas on NHK World Premium in English: http://www.nhk-jn.co.jp/wp/guide/drama_e.html
Official Homepage (in Japanese): http://www3.nhk.or.jp/taiga/index.html
Atsuhime at Drama Wiki (in English): http://wiki.d-addicts.com/index.php?title=Atsu-hime&redirect=no
Yahoo TV Synopsis (in Japanese):
http://tv.yahoo.co.jp/tv_show/nhk/atsuhime/story/index.html?b=4
Episode 12: Farewell Sakurajima
When I last left off, Atsuhime was preparing to depart for Edo. Her tutor, Ikushima, cautioned Atsuhime that when all those who have known her are invited to say their final farewells at Nariakira’s castle, she must evince no expression of sadness, and certainly not cry. She made it through all her acquaintances, and managed to hold it in while her mother and father said their goodbyes, but when it came to Naogoro’s turn and he gave her messages from Shosuke’s family, she couldn’t hold back her tears any longer. Ikushima immediately called a halt to the farewell audience, and of course scolded Atsuhime for her show of emotion.
Atsuhime sets off on her journey by boat, and despite the rough seas refuses to go below deck. Ikushima tells her to go below, but Atsuhime refuses, saying that she wants to gaze on Satsuma until it goes out of sight, because this is the last time she will ever see it, and indeed she never set foot on Satsuma again.
Episode 13: The Mother in Edo
Atsuhime gets major seasick on the boat and is confined to her bed. When she wakes up she sees beside her the sculpture of the Buddhist deity Fugen that her mother had given her. She asks Ikushima, if she was the one who thought to set it out for her. And, realizes that Ikushima stayed up all night beside Atsuhime’s bed to make sure she was all right. From then on, the relations between the two improve, and Ikushima grows to have respect and affection for Atsuhime.
They arrive in Kyoto and have an audience with the nobleman Konoe. While there, his wife warns Ikushima that there is resistance in Edo to Atsuhime marrying the Shogun. Whether this warning was given out of kindness or spite was not clear to me. Konoe has some Japanese style sweets presented to Atsuhime that were sent from her adoptive mother in Edo, and Atsuhime very much looks forward to meeting her adoptive mother who she thinks must be very kind and thoughtful.
Arriving in Edo it is quite some time before she gets to meet her adoptive mother, Lady Hisa. Instead of the warm welcoming that Atsuhime was expecting, her mother addresses her from behind a screen and coldly tells her that her marriage to the Shogun has not been agreed on, and that the proposed marriage was a unilateral decision made by Nariakira without consulting her or anyone else.
In the meantime, back in Satsuma, Nariakira decided not to take Naogoro or the tutor, Kiyomichi, with him to Edo, instead selecting Atsuhime’s and Naogoro’s old friend, Kichinosuke, of a somewhat lower class. Naogoro is of course crushed, and when discussing it with the tutor, the tutor admits that he himself was disappointed but decided to have faith in Nariakira’s decision.
Episode 14: The Father's Request 父の願い
Atsuhime is not satisfied with her cold greeting from her adoptive mother and wants a chance to meet her again, but her mother refuses to have another audience with Atsuhime, so Atsuhime sits in the audience room day and night until her mother finally gives in. Atsuhime wants to know more about the marriage situation, and probably wants to gain her mother’s favor, but when her mother turns to leave, Atsuhime is not willing to let her go and accidentally tramples the hanging screen separating her mother from them. Thus, Atsuhime learns that her adoptive mother’s face is scarred from an accident (a fire?), and that is why her mother hides behind a screen and veil. And here I though it was because her mother was a nun.
Iesada is officially designated as the 13th Tokugawa Shogun. The black boats of Perry return to Edo and the Shogunate signs the unfair trade treaty opening the Japanese ports to intercourse with Western countries.
Nariakira is called up to Edo, put before leaving pays a visit to Atsuhime’s father, who lays sick dying. Atsuhime’s father, Tadatake, as a last request asks Nariakira not to tell Atsuhime how sick he is.
Eventually Nariakira arrives in Edo, and Atsuhime joyfully runs along the corridor to greet him, but is turned back and not allowed to see him until he has a formal audience. Now my memory falters but, after the formal audience I believe Nariakira sends everyone else away so he can talk with Atsuhime. She asks him about the marriage situation and he tells her to trust him. Finally, Nariakira cannot hold it back any longer, and breaks his promise to tell Atsuhime that her natural father has died. Atsuhime of course cries her eyes out.
Episode 15: Atsuhime Goes to Battle
Kichinosuke comes to Edo, and Nariakira puts him to task of ordering Atsuhime’s bridal dowry. Kichinosuke says he is not up to the task, and Nariakira chides him saying, never say impossible to me again!
Nariakira had just cemented the family relations to the aristocratic Konoe family by promising his grandson to marriage of one of their daughters, when the grandson falls deathly ill and dies. Nariakira also shortly afterwards falls deathly ill and lays close to death. I would imagine it is likely the sickness was brought from Satsuma when Nariakira last saw Atsuhime’s natural father, but rumor has it a curse placed by Oyura the mistress of Narioki. You may remember that there was an incident in Satsuma a while back when they tried to make their son, Hisamitsu, the next governor of Satsuma. It was as a result of that incident that Shōsuke’s father was incarcerated. Anyway, Atsuhime takes the issue into her own hands and goes directly to Narioki and Oyura’s residence to verify the rumor. Oyura becomes very upset and cries, why does everyone always blame everything on me? I would never do such a thing. Atsuhime is moved by her outcry and believes her, she reports back at Nariakira’s residence that Oyura is not the source of the curse.
Finally, back in Satsuma, Shōsuke’s father is allowed to return home from his imposed exile.
Episode 16: The Storm of the Flower Viewing
Nariakira finally recovers from his illness, and pushes for the acceptance of Atsuhime’s marriage to the Shogun. The Shogun himself is retarded and with his childish mentality is not too interested in having a wife. He says when he can grill his Japanese crackers successfully he will agree to a wife. For Atsuhime’s marriage to come about, not only is the Shogun’s acquiescence necessary, but also the approval of Nariaki. To that end, Nariakira invites Nariaki to Nariakira’s residence for a flower viewing.
Nariakira and his wife Lady Hisa do not get along very well, and it seems she is against the marriage. Nariakira asks what she thinks of the flower viewing idea, and she says it is a fine idea, as regardless of the outcome at least it will decide the issue. Nariakira leaves mad, saying when I say sakura (cherry blossoms), you say ume (plum blossoms). Lady Hisa has her main lady-in-waiting deliver a newly edited set of the Japan History called the Nihon Shoki, saying they are from Nariakira. It seems as though this is her attempt to make Atsuhime fail, by over educating her.
After Nariaki arrives, Nariakira asks for permission to introduce Atsuhime, and Nariaki accedes. When Atsuhime makes her greetings, Nariaki is told about Atsuhime’s interest in Japan’s history. He tells her to go ahead and ask her questions, not expecting much, but Atsuhime asks very tough questions about the government policy regarding opening the country to the West. Nariaki is angered and stands up to leave, but then, turns around and says that everybody else id afraid of him and very careful around him. This is the first time in a long time that anyone has voiced their real opinion. Ikushima invites him to join Atsuhime for further discussion out at the viewing porch.
Back at the Shogun’s quarters, Iesada is busily grilling his crackers on a brazier. Will it be successful this time? He gets up to argue with the attendants, and is mother takes the opportunity to pick up the, by now burnt cracker, and declare it delicious, and so Iesada accedes to the marriage.
In Satsuma, Naogoro feels rather put out at being left in Satsuma away from all the action and, of course Atsuhime. He whines about it while talking to the incense teacher, and she gets really angry with him for not taking his role more seriously. She says it is only because they have entrusted Satsuma to him that her brother and Nariakira can go about their own work without worry. Naogoro is at first taken aback by her vehemence, but then sees her point, and thanks her for waking him up. Next thing you know though, he is soon called up to Edo.
In the meantime, Atsuhime has a talk with Nariakira about his wife, and tells him how worried his wife had been when he was ill, so that she stayed every night praying for his recovering. Nariakira visits his wife and tries to make inroads on improving their relations. It seems she has appeared cold only because she thought he didn’t love her anymore, and asks if he is still interested in her as a woman, as she finally removes her veil.
* Episode 17 Streamline Video via J Yahoo TV Drama Episode 17
http://meta.yahoo-streaming.jp/webevents/yahoo/tv/atsuhime/LfOeMVxJ_1m.asx
Dramas on NHK World Premium in English: http://www.nhk-jn.co.jp/wp/guide/drama_e.html
Official Homepage (in Japanese): http://www3.nhk.or.jp/taiga/index.html
Atsuhime at Drama Wiki (in English): http://wiki.d-addicts.com/index.php?title=Atsu-hime&redirect=no
Yahoo TV Synopsis (in Japanese):
http://tv.yahoo.co.jp/tv_show/nhk/atsuhime/story/index.html?b=4
