7 reviews · average 8.3 / 10
MonsterZero65 · 16 Aug 2010
Miyazaki Aoi was the star of this Taiga and she did a wonderful job. I can't say it was a thrilling taiga drama but it was interesting and I enjoyed it. I really learned a lot from this drama about Atsuhime and personal research inspired by the drama.
PerGuy · 23 Mar 2010
Even though I do not speak Japanese, and the dvd's I bought did not have english subtitles, I quite enjoyed it. The music was superb, I got the soundtrack, but it does not include a song that sounds like opera, sung by a woman. Does anybody know the name of the song, and who sings it, and where is available?
Thank you
MonsterZero-65 · 6 Nov 2009
Well this drama did not pack as much action as most Taiga drama's tend to showcase so it can seem to slowly plot along. That sounds pretty dull and bad but it does not feel that way thanks to strong acting and a good script and cast.
Aoi Miyazaki rocks and so does the rest of the cast. Well worth viewing even if it does not have a lot of excess drama or action.
Wynter · 14 Apr 2009
So I fell asleep quite a bit while watching this drama. Although it was quite lovely to look at and although I absolutely adore Aoi-chan, the story dragged a bit during those middle episodes.
That being said, I must say that Ifm awfully glad I watched this drama. Firstly, it taught me so much about Court life and about Japanese history. It was amusing to realize just how much I had picked up from this drama when I visited the castles in Japan and was able to answer the questions posed by the tour guide. ^_^
Secondly, I was able to experience Matsuzaka Keiko. Where has she been all my life?! It was the strangest sensation feeling so devastated when her character, Ikushima, left Atsu-Himefs service – and then feeling this flood of joy when she returned numerous episodes later. The bond that is formed between Atsu-Hime and the women in the Ooku is truly infectious and I felt camaraderie between them and myself.
Thirdly, I love Taigafs because of the various faces that cross the screen. It was so refreshing to see the different actors and actresses pop up without me expecting them.
And finally, the drama was simply aesthetically pleasing.
I was really affected by the plot and the character of Atsu-Hime – so much so that I tried to look her up in historical literature to learn more about her.
All-in-all, although boring at times, I would still invest the billion hours to watch this show again.
jdoramadotcom · 3 Aug 2008
This tiaga drama addresses the period when U.S. forces in the mid-19th century attempted to "open" Japan - thus threatening hundreds of years of relative stability. At the heart of the story - Atsu-Hime (Aoi Miyasaki), who marries a shogun in dubious health. Miyasaki is adequate in the title role.
This begins slowly, and takes over fifteen or so episodes before you're thrust into the convoluted world of Japanese court life; halfway through, it's arresting. It's considerably more accurate than many other tiaga dramas, but still has wiggle-room for fiction.
jdoramadotcom · 28 Mar 2008
A fairly typical mix of light history and melodrama, as Japan deals with the encroachment of Western powers 150 years ago. Miyazaki Aoi is mildly appealing as the young princess working behind the scenes.
alyaa azhar · 2 Jul 2007
hurmmm...49episodes?haha....i couldnt stand if its more than 15epd...i cant watch it anyway,no drama from nhk ever been sold in malaysia..i mean taiga drama of course..