TV Asahi Drama Specials 2010 (Fourth Quarter)

Omiyasan SP
Time: From 8.00 p.m., 16 December 2010
Cast: Watase Tsunehiko, Sakurai Atsuko, Shimizu Misa, Kawakami Maiko, Miyamoto Maki, Ishida Taro, Tonesaku Toshihide, Shiraki Mari, Nanasaki Yuri
Synopsis: The dead body of business consultant Omae Tomomi (Nanasaki Yuri) is found on the bank of the Kamogawa. She appears to have been pushed by someone and hit her head against stone. Hearing the name of the victim, Omiyasan (Watase Tsunehiko) takes out the file on the murder of a former high school teacher five years ago. Five years earlier, Morishima Fumie, a former high school teacher, had been killed on her 70th birthday. At that time, Tomomi, who had been Fumie’s ex-student and was on friendly terms with her, had become a target of the police in the course of the investigation …
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/omiyasan

Chushingura ~ Sono Otoko Oishi Kuranosuke
Time: From 9.00 p.m., 25 December 2010
Cast: Tamura Masakazu, Iwashita Shima, Tamayama Tetsuji, Dan Rei, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Kitaoji Kinya, Ishida Yuriko, Kaji Meiko, Ibu Masato, Nishida Toshiyuki
Synopsis: In the spring of Genroku 14 (1701), Oishi Kuranosuke (Tamura Masakazu), the chief retainer of the Asano family in Ako domain, is lost for words at the unexpected news from Edo. His feudal lord, Asano Naganori (Tamayama Tetsuji), had stabbed Kira Yoshinaka (Nishida Toshiyuki), the master of ceremonies, at Edo castle. Furthermore, the shogunate had ordered Asano to commit ritual suicide and ruled that Ako with 53,000 koku would be confiscated for his insolence inside the palace. In contrast, Kira was not censured at all. At a time when it was usual to fault both parties, the ruling was too unfair. As the date for the surrender of the castle drew near, a discussion over the handling of the Ako domain was held. There were people who advocated fighting the shogunate, others who wanted to follow their lord to the death by committing ritual suicide, and still others who thought the castle should be vacated quickly in order to demonstrate their allegiance … But it was decided with a single word from Oishi that they will besiege the castle in protest and follow Asano in suicide. However, on the appointed day, only 56 gathered at the castle. Oishi finally opened his heart to the assembled ronin, “I have just one wish. The head of our sworn enemy, Kira Yoshinaka. I hope you will believe and entrust each of your lives to me until the day this long-cherished dream is fulfilled…” Thus, in little more than a month, Ako Castle was surrendered, and the Asano family ceased to exist.
Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/chushingura

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