Komyo Ga Tsuji - 2006 Taiga Drama

[Itazura ichiban]

I noticed that Kazutoyo's sword hangs differently from those of his vassals, I wonder if this is a rank thing? Any samurai geeks know the answer?
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- Douglas

[Geezer]

I'm finding the different slant on the characters very interesting.

In Toshie and Matsu Nobunaga was a pretty straight forward heroic, and noble leader (played by Sorimachi). And the guy who killed him, Mitsuhide, was portrayed as an evil, cunning, untrustworthy sort of snake. (From the moment he showed up you knew he was evil.)

But here in Komyo Ga Tsuji, Mitsuhide is the noble, stand up guy, defending the Emperor, and the court, and the traditional Japanese way of life... while Nobunaga has become an absolute egomanical nut case with delusions of godhood.

In the end, what happened at the Temple happened. But it's interesting how the writer's personal slant can change your view of history.
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Manga is to Literature
what Graffiti is to Art

[mugenglider]

Itazura ichiban wrote:

I noticed that Kazutoyo's sword hangs differently from those of his vassals, I wonder if this is a rank thing? Any samurai geeks know the answer?

Not totally positive, but I think it has something to do with etiquette. Normally samurai would wear their swords blade edge up in order to have a quicker draw. But in certain situations, having the blade edges up might signify aggression where it's unwanted. So Kazutoyo sometimes wears his katana blade down around town and stuff... I think (just saw the Horse trader episode).

I hope that's what you're talking about, right? ^^;

....lol

[Itazura ichiban]

Yep. Other sources suggest that he has his sword hanging in that manner to show that he's got retainers who can take care of the "light work" for him, and that he doesn't need to draw quickly.

By the way, I just accidently typed the yen character but I don't know how I did it. I deleted it before I had a chance to see...
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- Douglas

[kitakaze]

Ah, I found it. Yep, I'm really enjoying this taiga drama, probably the first one at this level since Musashi. I don't know if it's the writing or the choice of actors or what that's better....
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-=kitakaze=-

[bmwracer]

Lost interest again... I think the length of these Taigas really test your dedication/stamina.

[Geezer]

Quote:

Lost interest again...

Not me. I find myself really looking forward to this show week in and week out.

Maybe it's just because I'm getting my bearings now. I've watched quite a few Taigas now, and I'm more familiar with the historical characters, their names, their relationships to one another, their place in history, and their era.

With each series I get a different perspective on these people. And though the basic facts remain the same... the story changes. The whys and maybes of history open up so many different interpretations.

Add to that some stand out performances by some remarkable actors... and you got yourself a good TV show there.
_________________

Manga is to Literature
what Graffiti is to Art

[bmwracer]

Geezer wrote:

Quote: Lost interest again... Not me. I find myself really looking forward to this show week in and week out. Maybe it's just because I'm getting my bearings now. I've watched quite a few Taigas now, and I'm more familiar with the historical characters, their names, their relationships to one another, their place in history, and their era. With each series I get a different perspective on these people. And though the basic facts remain the same... the story changes. The whys and maybes of history open up so many different interpretations. Add to that some stand out performances by some remarkable actors... and you got yourself a good TV show there.

You're too rational.

I hate you.

[Itazura ichiban]

I liked the episode about the horse. It's best in those places where everyday life is depicted. Maybe for me a gaijin, seeing the sweep of history in that period is not that interesting. Maybe once Ieyasu comes on the scene it'll interest me more.
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- Douglas

[gaijin mark]

I've watched every episode so far, and some episodes were real good, but others I've thought, "Well, shit, there's an hour of my life shot that I'll never get back"

[bmwracer]

gaijin mark wrote:

others I've thought, "Well, shit, there's an hour of my life shot that I'll never get back"

I felt that way about Shinsengumi after the first couple of episodes.

[kitakaze]

Geezer wrote:

Quote: Lost interest again... Not me. I find myself really looking forward to this show week in and week out. Maybe it's just because I'm getting my bearings now. I've watched quite a few Taigas now, and I'm more familiar with the historical characters, their names, their relationships to one another, their place in history, and their era. With each series I get a different perspective on these people. And though the basic facts remain the same... the story changes. The whys and maybes of history open up so many different interpretations. Add to that some stand out performances by some remarkable actors... and you got yourself a good TV show there.

I'm with you Geezer
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-=kitakaze=-

[Itazura ichiban]

* * * SPOILER ALERT * * *

Click on button to reveal/hide spoiler:

Very sad, last episode. Kichibei was one of my favorite characters.

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- Douglas

[krim]

we have a [spoiler] tag...

[bmwracer]

krim wrote:

we have a [spoiler] tag...

I took care of it.

[Itazura ichiban]

Sorry.
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- Douglas

[meg2673]

Hello! I'd like to ask what was wrong with Yoshitsune as a taiga drama? There seems a lot of negative reactions/views from people's postings here... It was the very first taiga that I watch and it seems okay for me. I'm very new though to watching Japanese dramas and I would like to know more insights as to what could be good or bad dramas... Though one could say it's really a matter of taste or preference... Hope to share your thoughts on this matters...

[bmwracer]

meg2673 wrote:

Hello! I'd like to ask what was wrong with Yoshitsune as a taiga drama? There seems a lot of negative reactions/views from people's postings here... It was the very first taiga that I watch and it seems okay for me. I'm very new though to watching Japanese dramas and I would like to know more insights as to what could be good or bad dramas... Though one could say it's really a matter of taste or preference... Hope to share your thoughts on this matters...

You should be posting this question and comments in the Yoshitsune thread....

[Geezer]

I noticed a nice little cameo appearance in last night's episode.

As Hideyoshi was laying on his death bed, there was Karasawa Toshiaki playing Maeda Toshie kneeling at the bedside looking sad.

Karasawa, of course, played Maeda Toshie in the Taiga Drama, Toshie and Matsu.
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Manga is to Literature
what Graffiti is to Art

[MonsterZero-65]

This has been a really great series. I have not missed an episode and I think it is only getting better as it goes along. I think this years Taiga really has a good balance between the life and story of Kazutoyo, and Chiyo but also on the events that surround and affect them. Some of the other Taiga dramas really struggled with that. I have not seen a Taiga drama that I have not enjoyed but Musashi and Komyo Gat Tsuji are certainly my two favorites.