"Uchikowashi" Trends as NHK Taiga Drama "Berabou" Depicts Public Discontent and the "Power of Words"

The 32nd episode of the NHK Taiga Drama "Berabou: Tsutajū Eiga no Yume Banashi" (Berabou: The Dream Tale of Tsutajū's Prosperity) garnered significant attention and sparked widespread discussion on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), with related terms trending, due to its tense depiction of the historical event known as "Uchikowashi."

The episode vividly portrayed the escalating public discontent stemming from rice shortages caused by the Tenmei Famine, and how the "Uchikowashi" riots that began in Osaka spread to Edo. Many viewers drew parallels between the historical context and contemporary societal issues, with comments such as, "The immersion is incredible! I feel like I'm one of the citizens involved in the Uchikowashi."

The protagonist, Tsutajū (Tsutaya Jūzaburō, played by Ryusei Yokohama), along with Shinnosuke (Jun Hashimoto), who was inspired by Hiraga Gennai's teachings, proposed a "Uchikowashi where no one gets arrested or dies" to the enraged populace on the verge of resorting to violence. The drama depicted his efforts to explore new forms of protest that leverage the power of words and storytelling to appeal to society. Viewers were moved, with one comment stating, "The idea of doing 'Uchikowashi' with words, through arguments, truly encapsulates the core theme of 'Berabou' — 'enriching the world by appropriately using words and stories.' It made me genuinely tear up."

The actions of the shogunate officials in the drama also drew considerable attention. While Tanuma Okitsugu, who had seemingly fallen from power, quietly made his return, Hitotsubashi Harunari (Toma Ikuta) was depicted instigating the "Uchikowashi" in the city. This ruthless machination garnered both surprise and criticism, with viewers commenting, "What is this omnipresent Hitotsubashi Harunari troupe?!" and "He goes this far. He'll do anything to avenge himself on a world that cast him aside as a mere spare, even inciting 'Uchikowashi' in the streets."

Historically, the Edo "Uchikowashi" that occurred in Tenmei 7 (1787) involved scattering rice, wheat, and soybeans on streets and into rivers, with very little theft. It is largely understood as a form of performance or a demonstration against the shogunate. In the drama, Tsutajū proposes banners (nobori) to the common people, embodying the spirit of "the pen is mightier than the sword," urging them to express "their hearts' desires." This portrayal seems to re-examine this historical background in a modern context.

Next week's episode has hinted at fatalities during the "Uchikowashi," suggesting an even more intense turn in the narrative. In this tumultuous era, how will the power of words move the populace and shape history? Attention is now focused on the upcoming developments.

The Historical and Cultural Context

This article discusses a pivotal episode of "Berabou: Tsutajū Eiga no Yume Banashi," an NHK Taiga Drama. Taiga Dramas are annual, year-long historical television series produced by Japan's public broadcaster, NHK, known for their elaborate productions and deep dives into Japanese history and culture. "Berabou" focuses on the life of Tsutaya Jūzaburō (蔦屋重三郎, 1750-1797), a prominent Edo-period publisher who played a crucial role in the development of Ukiyo-e and popular literature during a period of significant social and political change.

The central historical event depicted in the episode is "Uchikowashi" (打ちこわし), which literally means "smashing/breaking down." These were urban riots and acts of protest that frequently occurred in Japan, particularly during the Edo period (1603-1868). Driven by economic hardship, especially famine or price surges, commoners would raid and destroy the properties of wealthy merchants, rice dealers, or government officials perceived as hoarding goods or exploiting the populace. A key characteristic, as highlighted in the article, was often the destruction of property without significant theft, making it more of a symbolic protest or a direct appeal to the authorities rather than mere looting.

The specific "Uchikowashi" incident in the drama is set against the backdrop of the Tenmei Famine (天明の飢饉, 1782-1788). This was one of the worst famines in Japanese history, caused by a series of natural disasters and poor harvests. It led to widespread starvation, disease, and immense social unrest, including numerous "Uchikowashi" incidents across the country, notably in Osaka and Edo (present-day Tokyo).

The drama explores how Tsutaya Jūzaburō, known for his intellect and cultural influence, attempts to guide this public anger towards a non-violent, "word-based" protest, emphasizing the "power of words" and the pen over the sword. Other historical figures mentioned include Hiraga Gennai (平賀源内, 1728-1780), a polymath and intellectual who was a mentor to Tsutaya, and shogunate officials like Tanuma Okitsugu (田沼意次, 1719-1788), a controversial reformer, and Hitotsubashi Harunari (一橋治済, 1754-1829), a powerful political figure involved in shogunate succession disputes, often depicted as a schemer.