Tragic End of Koikawa Harumachi in NHK Taiga Drama 'Berabou' Shocks Viewers

The latest episode of the NHK Taiga Drama 'Berabou: The Dream Story of Tsutaya Juzaburo's Prosperity' has aired, and the dramatic death of Koikawa Harumachi (portrayed by Kakura Kuranahashi and Okayama Amane), one of the characters surrounding the protagonist Tsutaya Juzaburo (Yokohama Ryusei), has caused a significant stir on social media. In particular, his chosen method of death and the anguish of Matsudaira Sadanobu (Inoue Yuki) in the background brought many viewers to tears.

In the drama, amidst the strict censorship imposed by the Kansei Reforms, Master Harumachi grapples with his responsibility as a samurai and his pride as a playwright. Unexpectedly, he literally carried out the jocular remark, 'I'll bash my head against the corner of a tofu block and die,' ending his life through seppuku. On social media, numerous comments poured in, such as 'I loved Harumachi; he was charmingly awkward, cynical, and utterly serious,' and 'Harumachi was so earnest, he really went through with it.' Many viewers were moved to tears by his excessively serious death. Comments expressing sadness and regret were also seen, like, 'What kind of world forces someone who brought joy to society to commit seppuku?'

Meanwhile, Matsudaira Sadanobu's wailing lament, having effectively driven Harumachi to his death, also deeply resonated with viewers. Inoue Yuki's performance as Sadanobu garnered widespread praise, with comments like, 'His vocalization was sharp and dignified,' and 'His inarticulate wailing left me utterly speechless.' The deep sorrow of Sadanobu, who was secretly a fan of Harumachi's works and felt he had driven his 'oshi' (favorite artist) to death, was depicted. Comments such as 'It was unexpected to see Stones-kun (Matsudaira Sadanobu) cry like that. Right, he was actually a fan of Master Harumachi,' and 'I thought, "That detestable Momen-kozo!" but when I saw Sadanobu's expression upon hearing he had driven his favorite to death, I truly sympathized,' poured in. Many viewers harbored complex feelings towards his devastated appearance, crushed by the unexpected tragedy his own reforms had brought.

Furthermore, some pointed out a contrast with Shin-san's (who attempted to take responsibility for helping the heroine Utsusemi escape Yoshiwara, but failed in her seppuku attempt) failed seppuku in a previous episode. Viewers noticed a deeper narrative foreshadowing, commenting, 'Looking back, the scene where Shin-san, who failed to escape Yoshiwara and tried to commit seppuku, said "Ouch..." is indeed a contrast to Master Harumachi's seppuku this time.'

Just after a heartwarming scene celebrating Kisanii (Ota Nanpo)'s return, the immediate tragic news of Harumachi was even more shocking to viewers. Some reflected on its lingering impact, saying, 'The scene where Ma-san came crying to deliver the news of Harumachi might genuinely be the best scene.' In an era where freedom of expression was suppressed, Koikawa Harumachi's way of life, as a samurai and a playwright who adhered to his convictions, left a deep impression on many viewers.

The Context

The article discusses a pivotal moment in 'Berabou: The Dream Story of Tsutaya Juzaburo's Prosperity,' an NHK Taiga Drama. Taiga Dramas are annual, year-long historical fiction series produced by NHK, often featuring prominent historical figures and events from Japanese history. This particular drama is set in the Edo period (1603-1868), focusing on Tsutaya Juzaburo, a real-life influential publisher.

The events described revolve around the 'Kansei Reforms,' a series of conservative policies implemented in the late 18th century by Matsudaira Sadanobu, the chief senior councilor of the Tokugawa shogunate. These reforms aimed to restore moral order and curb extravagance, leading to strict censorship of popular culture, including literature and theater. Koikawa Harumachi, a popular author of 'kibyoshi' (yellow-backed books), a form of satirical Edo-period popular fiction, was a historical figure who faced persecution under these reforms. While historical accounts of his death vary (some suggest illness while under house arrest), the drama portrays it as a deliberate act of seppuku (ritual suicide by disembowelment), a samurai's honorable death.

The term 'oshi' (推し) used in the article is a Japanese slang term referring to a person's favorite idol, character, or artist, reflecting the deep admiration Matsudaira Sadanobu secretly held for Harumachi's work, making his role in Harumachi's demise particularly tragic for viewers.