"Okkasan" (Mother) in NHK Taiga Drama "Berabou" Sparks Emotional Response on Social Media

The word "Okkasan" (mother), used to refer to the character Otsuyo in the latest episode of the NHK Taiga drama "Berabou," garnered a massive reaction on social media, becoming a trending topic.

Many viewers were moved by the scene where the protagonist, Tsutaya Juzaburo (Tsutaju), for the first time called Otsuyo, his adoptive mother whom he had previously addressed as "Baban" (old hag), "Okkasan." Overcoming years of conflict and acknowledging his mother's profound love, Tsutaju's call elicited an outpouring of comments such as, "Tears welled up," "I cried at the weight of the word 'Okkasan'," and "My tear ducts burst the moment he became 'Okkasan's child'." The intense yet warm exchange between Otsuyo, played by Saki Takaoka, and Tsutaju, played by Ryusei Yokohama, has been praised as a "beautiful and deeply moving masterpiece scene."

Furthermore, the fact that the ukiyo-e artist Utamaro also opened his heart to Otsuyo and began calling her "Okkasan" touched viewers. Otsuyo's words, as she empathized with Utamaro and spoke to Tsutaju about human connection – "You wouldn't have survived without being strong, but it's only when you imagine those who cannot be strong and feel gratitude for them that you elevate yourself as a person" – resonated deeply and garnered much empathy.

While the parent-child bond deepened and the atmosphere was filled with warmth, many viewers also expressed concern about ominous signs for the future, such as the description of Otsuyo's "suspicious headaches" hinting at her declining health, and the fear that the reconciliation scene might be a "prelude to farewell." Comments like "This isn't a death flag, is it...?" "It's sad because there are hints of her passing," and "It's too painful, a huge exit flag" show that viewers are riveted by the unsettling developments hidden beneath the emotion, eagerly anticipating future episodes.

Episode 41 of "Berabou" depicted pivotal events such as Suharaya's retirement and the new beginning for Tsutaju and his wife Otei. While it was an emotional episode deeply portraying parental love, it also left a premonition of the story entering a new phase, stirring the hearts of viewers.

The Context

The NHK Taiga Drama series is a long-running annual historical drama produced by Japan's public broadcaster, NHK. These dramas typically run for a full year, with new episodes airing weekly, often depicting the lives of historical figures or events. "Berabou" is the current Taiga Drama, set in the Edo period, and focuses on the life of Tsutaya Juzaburo, a real-life publisher who played a crucial role in the development of ukiyo-e and popular literature. The term "Okkasan" (おっかさん) is a slightly old-fashioned, affectionate, and respectful way to address one's mother in Japanese, often carrying a deeper emotional weight than a more common term like "Haha" (母) or "Okaasan" (お母さん). The use of such a term in a pivotal scene highlights the emotional depth and cultural nuances often explored in Taiga Dramas.