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Segodon
View on Wikipedia| Segodon | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Based on | Segodon! by Mariko Hayashi |
| Written by | Miho Nakazono |
| Directed by | Yūsuke Noda Makoto Bonkabara Takeshi Okada Yoshimi Ishizuka Yūsuke Horiuchi Keisuke Ōshima |
| Starring |
|
| Narrated by | Toshiyuki Nishida |
| Opening theme | "Segodon -Main Theme-" (「西郷どん -メインテーマ-」) |
| Composer | Harumi Fūki |
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Original language | Japanese |
| No. of episodes | 47 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Ken Sakurai Sōichi Sakurai |
| Producer | Chieko Konishi |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | NHK |
| Release | January 7 – December 16, 2018 |
Segodon (西郷どん; Mr. Saigō in Kagoshima dialect[1]) is a 2018 Japanese historical drama television series and the 57th NHK taiga drama.[2] It stars Ryohei Suzuki as Saigō Takamori, who has been dubbed the last true samurai.[3]
Plot
[edit]The drama follows the life of historical figure Saigō Takamori. Born the first son of a lower-class samurai, he was exiled two times and went through three marriages. He was one of the central figures of the Meiji Restoration but later rebelled against the government over dissatisfaction with Meiji reforms.
Cast
[edit]Saigo family
[edit]- Ryohei Suzuki as Saigō Takamori
- Ao Watanabe as Kokichi (young Takamori)
- Keiko Matsuzaka as Saigō Masa, the mother of Takamori
- Morio Kazama as Saigō Kichibei, the father of Takamori
- Toshiyuki Nishida as Saigō Kikujirō, Takamori's son
- Ai Hashimoto as Suga, the first wife of Takamori
- Haru Kuroki as Iwayama Ito, the third wife of Takamori
- Konomi Watanabe as young Ito
- Ryo Nishikido as Saigō Jūdō, one of Takamori's brothers
- Taiyō Saitō as Saigō Shingo (young Jūdō)
- Mone Kamishiraishi as Saigō Kiyo, the wife of Jūdō
- Gōta Watabe as Saigō Kichijirō, one of Takamori's brothers
- Taketo Arai as young Kichijirō
- Yuki Kashiwagi as Saigō Sono, the wife of Kichijirō
- Nanami Sakuraba as Ichiki (née Saigō) Koto, one of Takamori's sisters
- Yuki Kurimoto as young Koto
- Yūki Maekawa as Ichiki Sōsuke, Koto's son
- Yū Kayano as Saigō Yasu, one of Takamori's sisters
- Kumi Mizuno as Kimi, the grandmother of Takamori
- Kon Ōmura as Saigō Ryūemon, the grandfather of Takamori
- Muga Tsukaji (Drunk Dragon) as Kumakichi
- Mayuko Saigō as Saigō Sakurako
- Maika Hara as Saigō Taka, one of Takamori's sisters
- Yūki Yagi as Saigō Kikusō, Takamori's daughter
Ōkubo family
[edit]- Eita as Ōkubo Toshimichi[4]
- Tatsuki Ishikawa as young Toshimichi
- Rie Mimura as Ōkubo Masu, the wife of Toshimichi
- Mitsuru Hirata as Ōkubo Jiemon, the father of Toshimichi
- Mariko Fuji as Ōkubo Fuku, the mother of Toshimichi
- Tamami Kusaka as Ōkubo Suma
- Yuki Uchida as Oyū
- Ken Watanabe as Shimazu Nariakira, the master of Takamori
- Munetaka Aoki as Shimazu Hisamitsu
- Takeshi Kaga as Shimazu Narioki
- Rumiko Koyanagi as Yura
- Raita Ryu as Zusho Hirosato
- Seiya Osada as Shimazu Mochihisa
- Rasei Nakajima as young Mochihisa
- Naho Toda as Kiku
- Yukiya Kitamura as Ōyama Kakunosuke (later Ōyama Tsunayoshi)
- Naoki Inukai as young Kakunosuke
- Mitsuomi Takahashi as Arimura Shunsai (later Kaeda Nobuyoshi)
- Yūto Ikeda as young Shunsai
- Arata Horii as Murata Shinpachi
- Kenshirō Katō as young Shinpachi
- Ikki Sawamura as Akayama Yukie
- Jun Itoda as Katsura Hisatake
- Yu Tokui as Yamada Tamehisa
- Shūichirō Masuda as Arima Shinshichi
- Masaki Izawa as young Shinshichi
- Takurō Ōno as Nakamura Hanjirō
- Rukito Nakamura as young Hanjirō
- Manabu Hamada as Sakoda Tomonoshin
- Shiori Sugioka as Oaki
- Tomoya Warabino as Ebihara Shigekatsu
- Keita Machida as Komatsu Tatewaki
- Yoshimasa Kondo as Tanaka Yūnosuke
- Ayumi Tanida as Koba Den'nai
- Teppei Akashi as Narahara Kihachirō
- Yūki Izumisawa as Kawaji Toshiyoshi
- Hideo Sakaki as Shinohara Kunimoto
- Yūshin Shinohara as Beppu Shinsuke
- General public
- Rin Takanashi as Fuki
- Rinka Kakihara as young Fuki
- Taku Suzuki (Drunk Dragon) as Heiroku, Fuki's father
- Sumie Sasaki as Ishi, Kumakichi's grandmother
- Fujita Okamoto as Itagaki Yosaji
- Toshiyuki Kitami as Ijūin Naogorō, Suga's father
- Masayuki Shionoya as Iwayama Naoatsu, Ito's father
- The people of Amami Ōshima
- Fumi Nikaidō as Aikana, the second wife of Takamori
- Akira Emoto as Ryū Samin
- Midori Kiuchi as Ishichiyo Kane
- Natsuko Akiyama as Yuta
- Tsutomu Takahashi as Tomiken
- Honami Kurashita as Komurume
- Anna Sato as Satochiyo Kane
- The people of Okinoerabujima
- Renji Ishibashi as Kawaguchi Seppō
- Yoshiki Saitō as Tsuchimochi Masateru
- Yōko Ōshima as Tsuchimochi Tsuru
- Tetsuji Tamayama as Kido Takayoshi
- Kenta Hamano as Itō Hirobumi
- Hayashiya Shōzō IX as Ōmura Masujirō
- Hikaru Futagami as Kusaka Genzui
- Osaomu Kaō as Shiraishi Shōichirō
- Riki Choshu as Kijima Matabei
- Manabu Ino as Kikkawa Kenmotsu
- Masayuki Satō as Miyoshi Shinzō
- Shun Oguri as Sakamoto Ryōma
- Asami Mizukawa as Oryō, the wife of Ryōma
- Shogo Yamaguchi as Nakaoka Shintarō
- Akira Otaka as Yamauchi Yōdō, the lord of Tosa
- Ryo Segawa as Gotō Shōjirō
- Kanji Tsuda as Matsudaira Shungaku
- Shunsuke Kazama as Hashimoto Sanai
- Asahi Yoshida as Nakane Yukie
- Shota Matsuda as Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the last shōgun
- Kenichi Endō as Katsu Kaishū
- Naoki Matayoshi as Tokugawa Iesada, the 13th shōgun
- Tamotsu Kanshūji as Tokugawa Iemochi, the 14th shōgun
- Towa Araki as young Iemochi
- Naohito Fujiki as Abe Masahiro
- Shirō Sano as Ii Naosuke
- Shinji Asakura as Hotta Masayoshi
- Satoshi Jimbo as Nagano Shuzen
- Takahiro Fujimoto as Yamaoka Tesshū
- Jundai Yamada as Hiraoka Enshirō
- Masami Horiuchi as Itakura Katsukiyo
- Keiko Kitagawa as "Tenshō-in" Atsuhime
- Yoko Minamino as Ikushima, the tutor of Atsuhime
- Pinko Izumi as Honjuin, Iesada's mother
Aizu and Kuwana Domains
[edit]- Shuji Kashiwabara as Matsudaira Katamori
- Ken Shōnozaki as Matsudaira Sadaaki
- Nakamura Kotarō VI as Emperor Kōmei
- Nomura Man'nojō VI as Emperor Meiji
- Shōfukutei Tsurube II as Iwakura Tomomi
- Tomiyuki Kunihiro as Konoe Tadahiro
- Nomura Manzō IX as Sanjō Sanetomi
- Takeshi Nadagi as Nakagawa-no-miya
- Kenichi Ogata as Nakayama Tadayasu
- Yasuto Kosuda as Prince Arisugawa Taruhito
- Shugo Oshinari as Inoue Kaoru
- Shingo Murakami as Yamagata Aritomo
- Kiyohiko Shibukawa as Itagaki Taisuke
- Hiroyuki Onoue as Ōkuma Shigenobu
- Takaya Sakoda as Etō Shinpei
Foreigners
[edit]- Thane Camus as Harry Smith Parkes
- Hannah Grace as Mrs. Parkes
- Steve Wiley as Ernest Mason Satow
- Blake Crawford as Townsend Harris
- Gilles Beaufils as Léon Roches
- Noam Katz as Charles Lennox Richardson
- Nathan Berry as Dr. William Willis
Others
[edit]- Masatō Ibu as Tokugawa Nariaki, the father of Yoshinobu
- Onoe Kikunosuke V as Getshō
- Kimihiko Hasegawa as Date Munenari
- Takayasu Komiya as Tokugawa Yoshikatsu
- Michiko Tanaka as Tama
- Takashi Tome as Den'emon
- Hitori Gekidan as John Manjirō
- Haruna Kondō (Harisenbon) as Tora
- Michifumi Isoda as Naiki Jinzaburō, the first mayor of Kyoto
- Kōkichi Tanoue as Naoo Nakahara
Production
[edit]This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (July 2019) |
Production Credits
- Narrator – Toshiyuki Nishida
- Music – Harumi Fūki
- Historical research – Izumi Haraguchi, Manabu Ōishi and Michifumi Isoda
- Architectural research – Kiyoshi Hirai
- Costume designer – Kazuko Kurosawa
- Kagoshima dialect instructors – Takaya Sakoda and Kōkichi Tanoue
The series is based on the novel Segodon! by Mariko Hayashi which was first released in serial format starting February 2016 in the literature magazine Hon no Tabibito, and published as a book by Kadokawa Shoten the year after.
Casting
[edit]Ryohei Suzuki was announced to portray the lead role of Saigō Takamori in Segodon on November 2, 2016.[5] The main cast for the Saigo and Okuba family were announced on March 27, 2017, which includes Eita, Haru Kuroki, Nanami Sakuraba, Gōta Watabe, Muga Tsukaji, Morio Kazama, Mitsuru Hirata, and Keiko Matsuzaka.[6] The main cast for the Shimazu family was announced on June 27, 2017, which includes Munetaka Aoki, Naho Toda, Yu Tokui, and Ken Watanabe.[7] In September 2017, it was announced that Yuki Saito would not be able to play as Ikushima,[8] and was eventually replaced by Yoko Minamino. By November 2017, Etsuko Ichihara also had to drop out as narrator of the series due to her ongoing recovery from encephalomyelitis,[9] and was eventually replaced by Toshiyuki Nishida.
TV schedule
[edit]| Episode | Title | Directed by | Original airdate | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Satsuma no Yassenbo" (薩摩のやっせんぼ) | Yūsuke Noda | January 7, 2018 | 15.4% |
| 2 | "Rippa na Osamurai" (立派なお侍) | January 14, 2018 | 15.4% | |
| 3 | "Kodomo wa Kuni no Takara" (子どもは国の宝) | January 21, 2018 | 14.2% | |
| 4 | "Atarashiki Hanshu" (新しき藩主) | January 28, 2018 | 14.8% | |
| 5 | "Sumō ja! Sumō ja!" (相撲じゃ!相撲じゃ!) | Makoto Bonkobara | February 4, 2018 | 15.5% |
| 6 | "Nazo no Hyōryūsha" (謎の漂流者) | February 11, 2018 | 15.1% | |
| 7 | "Haha no Senaka" (母の背中) | Takeshi Okada | February 18, 2018 | 14.3% |
| 8 | "Fukitsu na Yome" (不吉な嫁) | February 25, 2018 | 14.2% | |
| 9 | "Edo no Hie-sama" (江戸のヒー様) | Yūsuke Noda | March 4, 2018 | 14.8% |
| 10 | "Atsuhime wa doko e" (篤姫はどこへ) | Makoto Bonkobara | March 11, 2018 | 14.4% |
| 11 | "Nariakira Ansatsu" (斉彬暗殺) | Yasuko Tsuda | March 18, 2018 | 14.6% |
| 12 | "Un no Tsuyoki Himegimi" (運の強き姫君) | March 25, 2018 | 14.1% | |
| 13 | "Kawaranai Tomo" (変わらない友) | Yūsuke Noda | April 8, 2018 | 13.0% |
| 14 | "Yoshinobu no Honki" (慶喜の本気) | Takeshi Okada | April 15, 2018 | 11.9% |
| 15 | "Tono no Shi" (殿の死) | Yūsuke Noda | April 22, 2018 | 13.4% |
| 16 | "Nariakira no Yuigon (斉彬の遺言) | Takeshi Okada | April 29, 2018 | 11.1% |
| 17 | "Saigō Jusui" (西郷入水) | Yasuko Tsuda | May 6, 2018 | 12.0% |
| 18 | "Runin, Kikuchi Gengo" (流人、菊池源吾) | Makoto Bonkobara | May 13, 2018 | 14.4% |
| 19 | "Aikana" (愛加那) | May 20, 2018 | 13.7% | |
| 20 | "Shōsuke no Kuroi Ishi" (正助の黒い石) | Yūsuke Noda | May 27, 2018 | 12.2% |
| 21 | "Wakare no Uta" (別れの唄) | Yoshimi Ishizuka | June 3, 2018 | 12.0% |
| 22 | "Idai na Ani, Jigoro na Otōto" (偉大な兄 地ごろな弟) | Takeshi Okada | June 10, 2018 | 13.4% |
| 23 | "Teradaya Sōdō" (寺田屋騒動) | Yoshimi Ishizuka | June 17, 2018 | 13.4% |
| 24 | "Chi no Hate nite" (地の果てにて) | Makoto Bonkobara | June 24, 2018 | 12.2% |
| 25 | "Ikasareta Inochi" (生かされた命) | July 1, 2018 | 12.7% | |
| 26 | "Saigō, Kyō e" (西郷、京へ) | Yūsuke Noda | July 15, 2018 | 12.2% |
| 27 | "Kinmon no Hen" (禁門の変) | July 22, 2018 | 12.0% | |
| 28 | "Katsu to Ryōma" (勝と龍馬) | Takeshi Okada | July 29, 2018 | 11.1% |
| 29 | "Sandome no Kekkon" (三度目の結婚) | Yūsuke Horiuchi | August 5, 2018 | 11.6% |
| 30 | "Kaijin Iwakura Tomomi" (怪人 岩倉具視) | Yūsuke Noda | August 12, 2018 | 10.3% |
| 31 | "Ryōma tono Yakusoku" (龍馬との約束) | Takeshi Okada | August 19, 2018 | 11.0% |
| 32 | "Satchō Dōmei" (薩長同盟) | Yoshimi Ishizuka | August 26, 2018 | 10.4% |
| 33 | "Ito no Chikai" (糸の誓い) | September 2, 2018 | 13.2% | |
| 34 | "Shōgun Yoshinobu" (将軍慶喜) | Makoto Bonkobara | September 9, 2018 | 11.9% |
| 35 | "Ikusa no Oni" (戦の鬼) | September 16, 2018 | 11.7% | |
| 36 | "Yoshinobu no Kubi" (慶喜の首) | Yūsuke Horiuchi | September 23, 2018 | 11.0% |
| 37 | "Edo Muketsu-Kaijō" (江戸無血開城) | Yūsuke Noda | October 7, 2018 | 9.9% |
| 38 | "Kizudarake no Ishin" (傷だらけの維新) | October 14, 2018 | 10.2% | |
| 39 | "Chichi, Saigō Takamori" (父、西郷隆盛) | Makoto Bonkobara | October 21, 2018 | 12.3% |
| 40 | "Haran no Shinseifu" (波乱の新政府) | Keisuke Ōshima | October 28, 2018 | 11.7% |
| 41 | "Atarashiki Kuni e" (新しき国へ) | Yoshimi Ishizuka | November 4, 2018 | 11.8% |
| 42 | "Ryōyū Gekitotsu" (両雄激突) | Yūsuke Noda | November 11, 2018 | 11.3% |
| 43 | "Saraba, Tokyo" (さらば、東京) | Makoto Bonkobara | November 18, 2018 | 11.6% |
| 44 | "Shizoku tachi no Dōran" (士族たちの動乱) | Yoshimi Ishizuka | November 25, 2018 | 12.4% |
| 45 | "Saigō Tatsu" (西郷立つ) | Keisuke Ōshima | December 2, 2018 | 11.5% |
| 46 | "Seinan Sensō" (西南戦争) | Makoto Bonkobara | December 9, 2018 | 11.4% |
| 47 | "Keiten Aijin" (敬天愛人) | Yūsuke Noda | December 16, 2018 | 13.8% |
| Average rating 12.7% - Rating is based on Japanese Video Research (Kantō region).[10] | ||||
Omnibus
[edit]| Episode | Title | Original airdate | Original airtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Satsuma" (薩摩) | December 30, 2018 | 13:05 - 14:05 |
| 2 | "Saisei" (再生) | 14:05 - 14:55 | |
| 3 | "Kakumei" (革命) | 15:05 - 16:25 | |
| 4 | "Tenmei" (天命) | 16:25 - 17:35 |
Soundtracks
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Mexican Ambassador and his wife visit the special exhibition "Segodon" held at the University Museum". Tokyo University of the Arts. August 2, 2018. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ "2018年大河ドラマ「西郷(せご)どん」主人公・西郷隆盛役は鈴木亮平に決定!". NHK (in Japanese). Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ History Channel The Samurai, video documentary
- ^ "鈴木亮平主演NHK大河『西郷どん』 瑛太が大久保利通、黒木華が運命の女性". Cinra.net. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
- ^ "鈴木亮平さん主演!「西郷どん」". NHK ドラマ (in Japanese). NHK. 2 November 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- ^ "2018(平成30)年 大河ドラマ「西郷どん」出演者決定!". NHK ドラマ (in Japanese). NHK. 27 March 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- ^ "2018(平成30)年 大河ドラマ「西郷どん」新たな出演者発表". NHK ドラマ (in Japanese). NHK. 27 June 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- ^ "大河ドラマ「西郷どん」出演者変更について". NHK ドラマ (in Japanese). NHK. 21 September 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- ^ Yukan Fuji (夕刊フジ) (28 November 2017). "今度は市原悦子さん、呪いか…NHK大河「西郷どん」で再び降板劇 渡辺謙さん醜聞、極めつきは斉藤由貴さん". Sankei News (in Japanese). The Sankei Shimbun & SANKEI DIGITAL. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- ^ "西郷どん:最終回「敬天愛人」視聴率13.8% 期間平均は12.7%でワースト3位". Mantan-web. 17 December 2018. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ ""Segodon (TV Drama)" Original Soundtrack I". CDJapan. Neowing. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- ^ ""Segodon (TV Drama)" Original Soundtrack II (Music by Harumi Fuuki)". CDJapan. Neowing. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- ^ "Taiga Drama Segodon Original Soundtrack 3 Ongaku Fuuki Harumi". HMV&BOOKS Online. Lawson Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
External links
[edit]- Official Site (in Japanese)
- Segodon at IMDb
Segodon
View on GrokipediaSynopsis and Themes
Plot Summary
chronicles the life of Saigo Takamori, beginning in 1828 as the eldest son, Saigo Kichinosuke (later Yoshinosuke and Takamori), of a low-ranking samurai family in Satsuma Domain (modern Kagoshima Prefecture). Orphaned early, he supports his siblings through clerical work while displaying characteristic generosity by aiding the needy at personal expense, earning local renown for his upright character.[6][5] During adolescence around 1840, he studies martial arts and scholarship with peers including future ally Okubo Toshimichi, and impresses Shimazu Nariakira, Satsuma's progressive lord, aspiring to public service amid domain reforms promoting Western learning and industry.[1] Rising in Shimazu's administration, Saigo facilitates key alliances, such as escorting Satsuma's Atsuhime to wed Shogun Tokugawa Iesada in 1856, bolstering anti-foreign, pro-imperial sentiments. Following Nariakira's death in 1858 and succession disputes, Saigo faces exile in 1859 to Amami Ōshima for alleged disloyalty, where he embraces agrarian simplicity, composes poetry, and reflects on governance during a three-year isolation. A brief 1862 return attempt leads to re-exile on remote Okinoerabujima until pardon in 1864 amid national turmoil.[6][8] Reinstated, Saigo emerges as a linchpin in Satsuma-Chōshū coalitions driving the Meiji Restoration, orchestrating the 1868 overthrow of Tokugawa rule and aiding Emperor Meiji's 1868 relocation to Tokyo. In the nascent Meiji government, he advocates samurai interests and military modernization but clashes over rapid Westernization and the 1873 Seikanron debate favoring Korean conquest, prompting resignation and return to Satsuma. There, he founds a private academy fostering martial values, which morphs into a dissident militia, precipitating the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion against central policies eroding warrior status; the uprising ends with Saigo's ritual suicide amid defeat on September 24, 1877.[6][9] The narrative interweaves personal trials, including multiple marriages and family loyalties, underscoring Saigo's evolution from provincial loyalist to national iconoclast.[5]Central Themes and Historical Interpretations
Segodon portrays Saigō Takamori as a leader driven by deep empathy and a commitment to the well-being of common people, framing his contributions to the Meiji Restoration as rooted in fostering societal harmony rather than solely political ambition. The series underscores themes of personal resilience amid repeated exiles—Saigō faced banishment in 1859 and 1862 for alleged disloyalty—and his subsequent rise through alliances with reformist figures like Shimazu Nariakira, emphasizing emotional motivations over strategic machinations. This narrative highlights familial loyalty and human connections, including Saigō's relationships with his wife Ōyama Atsuhime and brothers, as pivotal to his endurance and decisions, presenting leadership as an extension of personal affection.[10] The drama's scripting, informed by a female perspective from author Mari Rintarō and screenwriter Miho Nakazono, amplifies motifs of "overflowing love" (ai ni afureta rīdā), depicting Saigō's advocacy for Japan's modernization as intertwined with ensuring prosperity for all social strata, including lower samurai and peasants. Central to this is the tension between tradition and progress, where Saigō's promotion of Western learning in Satsuma contrasts with his later disillusionment, interpreted as protective concern for disenfranchised warriors rather than reactionary conservatism. Soundtrack elements, such as the main theme evoking expansive resolve, reinforce these ideals of collective advancement and emotional fortitude.[10][11] Historically, Segodon seeks to redefine Saigō's legacy beyond the archetypal "last samurai" image of honorable defeat in the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion, where he commanded approximately 40,000 rebels against imperial forces, resulting in his death on September 24, 1877. By foregrounding his populist leanings—such as opposition to elite-driven centralization and support for policies benefiting the masses—the series aligns with NHK's aim to "newly draw" his statue, potentially softening the causal role of samurai privilege loss in the uprising, which stemmed from Meiji abolition of stipends affecting over 260,000 warriors. This interpretation, while rooted in Saigō's documented leniency and poetry reflecting humanistic concerns, contrasts with primary accounts emphasizing domainal loyalty and Seikanron advocacy for expansion to rehabilitate samurai, suggesting a modern lens prioritizing inspirational narrative over unvarnished class antagonism.[12]Historical Context
Saigo Takamori's Biography
Saigō Takamori was born on January 23, 1828, in Kajiya-chō, Kagoshima, the capital of the Satsuma Domain, to a low-ranking samurai family.[13] [14] As the eldest of seven children—four brothers and three sisters—born to Saigō Kichibē, a samurai retainer responsible for cemetery upkeep, and his wife Masa, Takamori (originally named Kokichi, with childhood name Kichinosuke) grew up immersed in bushidō traditions amid Satsuma's emphasis on martial discipline.[13] [15] At age six, he entered a local samurai elementary school (gojū), receiving his first wakizashi short sword and undergoing military and literary training that honed his physical prowess and loyalty to domainal superiors.[13] [16] In his early career, Takamori aligned with Satsuma's sonnō jōi (revere the emperor, expel the barbarians) faction, advocating resistance to foreign influence and shogunal authority, which led to multiple exiles: first from 1859 to 1864 for sheltering a shogunal official's concubine amid political intrigue, and briefly in 1865.[17] Returning to Satsuma, he facilitated the domain's alliance with Chōshū in the 1866 Satchō Alliance, pivotal for anti-shogunate coordination, and rose as a key strategist under Shimazu Nariakira.[18] By 1867, his influence extended to Kyoto, where he helped orchestrate the 1868 Meiji Restoration, restoring imperial rule by pressuring Tokugawa Yoshinobu to resign.[17] [18] During the Boshin War (1868–1869), Takamori commanded imperial forces, securing victories at the Battle of Toba-Fushimi in January 1868 and the subsequent capture of Edo (Tokyo) in 1869 without major resistance, effectively dismantling shogunal power.[13] [18] In the new Meiji government, he served as a councilor and army vice-minister, advocating samurai integration into modern structures while overseeing the 1871 abolition of feudal domains (hanseki hōkan), which centralized authority but eroded warrior privileges like stipends.[17] His push for gradual modernization clashed with rapid Westernization proponents, culminating in his 1873 resignation over the Seikanron debate, where he favored invading Korea to provide samurai outlets amid economic discontent, against Itagaki Taisuke and Ōkubo Toshimichi's opposition.[13] [17] Retiring to Kagoshima, he established a private academy emphasizing martial arts and ethics, fostering discontent among former samurai facing conscript army reforms and lost status.[18] This unrest ignited the Satsuma Rebellion on January 29, 1877, when Takamori, leading approximately 40,000 rebels (many samurai), marched against the central government in protest of policies like the 1876 sword-wearing ban and samurai stipend cuts, viewing them as assaults on traditional honor.[19] [20] The conflict, marked by initial rebel successes such as the Siege of Kumamoto Castle from February to April, strained imperial resources, costing over 20,000 lives and ¥42 million before government conscript forces, armed with modern rifles, decisively defeated the rebels at the Battle of Shiroyama on September 24, 1877.[19] [20] Takamori, wounded in the leg during the final assault, died that day in Kagoshima—accounts vary between ritual seppuku by a subordinate or a fatal gunshot—symbolizing the samurai class's eclipse by Japan's industrialized state.[13] [17]Broader Meiji Era Dynamics
The Meiji Restoration, proclaimed on January 3, 1868, marked the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate through a coup d'état involving key domains like Satsuma and Chōshū, restoring practical authority to Emperor Meiji and initiating Japan's transition from feudal isolation to centralized modernization.[21][22] This event followed the Boshin War (1868–1869), a civil conflict that defeated shogunate forces and consolidated imperial control, driven by external pressures from Western powers and internal demands for reform to avert colonization.[23] The Charter Oath of 1868 symbolized these shifts, pledging deliberative assemblies, abolition of class restrictions, and pursuit of knowledge worldwide, though implementation favored elite oligarchs from western domains over broader participation.[24] Central to Meiji dynamics was the rapid dismantling of feudal structures: in 1871, the hanseki hōkan policy compelled daimyo to surrender domains to the emperor, replaced by prefectures under appointed governors, centralizing fiscal and administrative power while eroding regional autonomy.[22] Military reforms followed, including universal conscription in 1873, which supplanted the samurai class's monopoly on arms with a national army equipped via Western models, exacerbating economic grievances as stipends were commuted to bonds in 1876, leaving many former warriors destitute.[21] These changes fueled ideological tensions between advocates of rapid Westernization—exemplified by the Iwakura Mission (1871–1873), which dispatched officials to study European systems—and traditionalists wary of cultural erosion, manifesting in debates like the Seikanron of 1873 over invading Korea to preserve samurai roles.[24] Economically, the era emphasized industrialization through state-led initiatives, such as silk production incentives and railway construction starting in 1872, alongside land tax reforms in 1873 that standardized revenue at 2.5% of assessed value, funding infrastructure but straining rural and samurai finances amid inflation from debased currency.[22] Socially, compulsory education from 1872 and promotion of Western dress and technology aimed at national unity, yet provoked backlash from samurai who viewed them as threats to bushido and status hierarchies.[23] This discontent culminated in over 170 uprisings between 1868 and 1877, peaking with the Satsuma Rebellion (1877), where domain loyalists under Saigō Takamori challenged the government's conscript forces, highlighting the causal friction between top-down reforms for survival against imperial rivals and the socioeconomic dislocation of a privileged class.[25] The rebellion's defeat, using modern artillery against swords, underscored the irreversible momentum of modernization, unifying the state under oligarchic rule dominated by Satsuma-Chōshū alumni while quelling feudal vestiges.[24]Production
Development and Scriptwriting
The development of Segodon was announced by NHK on September 8, 2016, as the network's 57th taiga drama, timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Meiji Restoration in 2018.[26] The project emphasized a fresh interpretation of Saigō Takamori's life, drawing on historical records while incorporating narrative innovations to appeal to contemporary audiences.[27] Scriptwriting was entrusted to Miho Nakazono, whose prior credits include the NHK asadora Hana to An (2014) and commercial dramas such as Haken no Hinkaku (2007).[28] Nakazono collaborated with author Mari Hayashi, a longtime acquaintance, to frame Saigō's story from a "female perspective," highlighting his emotional depth, familial bonds, and leadership qualities rooted in compassion rather than solely martial prowess.[29] This approach involved reinterpreting historical events to underscore themes of courage and relational dynamics, with Hayashi providing insights into Saigō's personal life drawn from her biographical writings.[30] Nakazono advocated for bold deviations from strict chronology, including the addition of original subplots like Saigō's interactions with British留学生 to enhance dramatic tension and ensemble storytelling.[27] These elements were approved by producer Norimitsu Sakurai, who noted the script's intent to balance historical fidelity with accessibility, avoiding a linear biography in favor of thematic arcs that explored Meiji-era transitions.[27] The 50-episode script was completed prior to principal filming, with Nakazono consulting historians such as Pathologist Isoda for anecdotal details to enrich character motivations without altering core events.[30]Filming and Technical Aspects
Principal filming for Segodon occurred extensively in Kagoshima Prefecture to authentically depict the Satsuma domain's landscapes and historical sites central to Saigō Takamori's life. Key locations included Sengan-en garden in Kagoshima City, which served as a stand-in for Shimazu clan estates and featured in multiple scenes involving domain politics and family life.[31] The Oka no Taki waterfall in Kimotsuki Town was utilized for opening sequences, capturing dramatic natural falls amid lush subtropical terrain to evoke the region's rugged beauty.[32] Other Kagoshima sites encompassed Shiroyama for panoramic city views with Sakurajima volcano, Chiran Samurai District residences for samurai household interiors and gardens, and various South Kyushu areas like Kirishima for battle and training sequences.[33] [34] Exile episodes shifted to the Amami Islands, with Amami Ōshima providing coastal and rural settings such as Miyako-saki cliff for opening aerial vistas overlooking the East China Sea, Ryūgaku-kan building, Saigō Kohama Park, and Aika na Izumi spring.[35] [36] Filming extended to Okinoerabu Island and Yamato Village sites like Saigō Nanshū Ryūsaku Trace for isolated island exile portrayals.[37] [38] Location shoots commenced in Kagoshima as early as November 2017, prioritizing on-site authenticity over studio replication for exterior scenes.[39] Technical production emphasized high-fidelity visuals through drone cinematography, with specialist Go Nakamura handling aerial shots for the title sequence and throughout the series, including dynamic flyovers of Sakurajima's volcanic cone and Amami's karst landscapes to underscore the dramatic scale of Satsuma's terrain.[40] [41] These drone sequences integrated seamlessly with ground footage to convey movement and vastness, marking a departure from prior taiga dramas' reliance on static or helicopter shots. Interior and complex action scenes were filmed in NHK studios, featuring meticulously constructed outdoor sets that replicated Edo-period architecture for controlled environments.[42] Overall, the production adhered to NHK's standard for historical dramas by combining location verisimilitude with advanced aerial techniques, though specific equipment details like camera resolutions were not publicly detailed beyond broadcast in HD.Casting Process
The lead role of Saigō Takamori was assigned to Ryohei Suzuki, whose casting marked his debut as protagonist in a major television drama.[43] Supporting roles were revealed progressively through public announcements starting in early 2017. On April 12, 2017, NHK disclosed nine additional cast members for key supporting positions.[44] A subsequent announcement on June 27, 2017, introduced further supporting actors, including Keiko Kitagawa in the role of Atsuhime, reflecting a second round of selections focused on prominent figures from Satsuma domain narratives.[45] Later additions, such as Shun Oguri, were confirmed amid ongoing pre-production, aligning with filming commencement in summer 2017.[2] This phased approach allowed NHK to build ensemble depth by integrating established performers suited to the historical ensemble demands.Cast and Characters
Saigo Family and Satsuma Allies
The Saigo family forms the core of the narrative in Segodon, depicting the humble origins of protagonist Saigo Takamori within a low-ranking samurai household in the Satsuma domain. Key family members include his parents, siblings, and wives, whose portrayals emphasize themes of familial loyalty and hardship amid feudal constraints. Saigo's father, Kichibei, is shown as a struggling bureaucrat, while his mother, Masako, represents resilient domestic support.[1][46] Satsuma allies extend the story's focus to influential domain figures who collaborate with Saigo on modernization efforts and opposition to the shogunate, including childhood friend Okubo Toshimichi and domain lord Shimazu Nariakira. These characters highlight strategic alliances and ideological tensions within Satsuma's push for reform.[47][48]| Character | Actor | Role Description |
|---|---|---|
| Saigo Takamori (Kichinosuke/Gilnosuke) | Ryohei Suzuki | Protagonist; low-ranking samurai who rises as a key Meiji Restoration figure, navigating exile, loyalty, and rebellion.[1][49] |
| Iwayama Ito (second wife) | Haru Kuroki | Saigo's devoted spouse, providing emotional and practical support through his political upheavals.[7][50] |
| Saigo Koto (sister) | Nanami Sakuraba | Eldest sister who manages family affairs and supports siblings amid poverty and conflict.[51][52] |
| Saigo Judo (Tsugumichi, brother) | Ryo Nishikido | Younger brother involved in naval reforms and family dynamics.[52][53] |
| Saigo Kichibei (father) | Gota Watabe | Patriarch facing financial ruin, influencing Saigo's sense of duty.[54][46] |
| Saigo Masako (mother) | Keiko Matsuzaka | Matriarch enduring family hardships and guiding moral education.[46][55] |
| Okubo Toshimichi (ally, childhood friend) | Eita Nagayama | Satsuma reformer and Saigo's rival-ally in government roles post-Restoration.[47][55] |
| Shimazu Nariakira (domain lord, mentor) | Ken Watanabe | Progressive Satsuma leader advocating Western learning and industry.[54][8] |
