NHK Taiga Drama 'Berabō: Tsutajū's Dream of Glory' Sparks Social Media Buzz

The NHK Taiga drama 'Berabō: Tsutajū's Dream of Glory' is currently making waves on social media. Particularly generating buzz are the evolving relationship between protagonist Tsutaya Jūzaburō (played by Ryusei Yokohama) and Kitagawa Utamaro (played by Shota Sometani), the intensifying political tensions within the Tokugawa shogunate, and the appearance of unique new cast members.

A major shock among viewers is Utamaro's actions, perceived by some as a 'betrayal.' Many have expressed surprise and sadness, with comments like, 'Et tu, Brute? More like, Et tu, Utamaro? 😳 And the title is 'Ballad of Betrayal' 😭,' referring to Utamaro starting to work with Nishimuraya, another publisher, in addition to Tsutajū. One viewer analyzed, 'My family member, who watched the latter half of this episode, commented, 'Utamaro couldn't bring himself to say, 'I'm also working with Nishimuraya,' could he?' Indeed. The bond between Utamaro and Tsutajū is so heavy and strong that the backlash is immense.' The narrative depicts Utamaro's heart drifting away, described as 'hearing the sound of a heart breaking,' as Tsutajū loses his former empathy for creators and begins to impose his own convenience.

Tsutajū's own transformation is also drawing attention. Comments include, 'It's painful to see Tsutajū, who used to empathize with and inspire creators, boosting their motivation when he was young, now use 'it's a good deal for them too' as an excuse to impose his own convenience, thereby eroding their motivation...' and observations suggesting he might have become complacent, having taken it for granted that they would always be together. On the other hand, there are also expressions of joy over the birth of a child with his wife, Otei (played by Ai Hashimoto), depicting his struggle to balance his personal life and work.

Political tensions within the shogunate are also escalating. Matsudaira Sadanobu (played by Toma Ikuta) is stressed by the conflicts between the shogunate and the Imperial Court. His volatile personality, described as 'extreme mood swings from anger to good humor, making things difficult for those around him,' has become a topic of discussion among viewers. Furthermore, Sadanobu's stance of 'believing commerce is evil, even though traditional agrarianism is failing and a path should be found in trade' is portrayed as a historical turning point for the Tokugawa shogunate. In contrast, Hitotsubashi Harunari's (played by Aoi Nakamura) nonchalant attitude, indulging in ukiyo-e beauty paintings, is reportedly increasing his relative popularity.

The lavish cast is also drawing significant attention. The appearance of Bakushō Mondai's Yūji Tanaka and Hikari Ota has been announced, and expectations are high for Yoshio Inoue's making his grand appearance as Jippensha Ikku in the next episode's preview. The comedians' acting has been well-received, with comments that they 'blend seamlessly into the Edo world of Berabō.' Furthermore, the preview for next week hints at the appearance of Ikue Sakakibara, continuing the surprises. Adding to the enjoyment, Kenjiro Tsuda, who plays Takizawa Bakin, is also playing a horse racing newspaper reporter in another drama, 'Royal Family,' and viewers are amused by the 'overlap' of his characters.

The story is heading into its final stages, with only a month and a half remaining, and sad events such as Otsuyo-san's death are also being depicted. All eyes are on the remaining developments to see if Utamaro truly transforms into Toshusai Sharaku.

The context

NHK Taiga dramas are annual, year-long historical television dramas produced by Japan's public broadcaster, NHK. They typically depict events and figures from Japanese history. 'Berabō: Tsutajū's Dream of Glory' is set during Japan's Edo period (1603-1868), a time ruled by the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The series centers on Tsutaya Jūzaburō, a prominent and innovative publisher known for his role in the development of ukiyo-e and *gesaku* (playful writing) culture. Kitagawa Utamaro is one of the most famous ukiyo-e artists of the Edo period, celebrated for his *bijinga* (pictures of beautiful women). Toshusai Sharaku is a mysterious ukiyo-e artist whose true identity remains unknown, active for only a brief period. One popular theory is that Sharaku was actually Utamaro.

Matsudaira Sadanobu was a powerful *rōjū* (senior councilor) who implemented the conservative Kansei Reforms, which emphasized agrarianism and austerity, often clashing with the burgeoning commercial and artistic culture, including ukiyo-e. Hitotsubashi Harunari was a *daimyō* (feudal lord) and the father of the 11th Shogun, Tokugawa Ienari. Jippensha Ikku and Takizawa Bakin were both popular *gesaku* authors of the Edo period, known for their humorous and historical tales, respectively.