Date: From 9.00 p.m., 15 & 16 March 2014
Cast: Kimura Takuya, Sawamura Ikki, Maki Yoko, Santamaria Yusuke, Kagawa Teruyuki, Matsuda Shota, Baisho Mitsuko, Nakatani Miki, Takeda Tetsuya, Yachigusa Kaoru, Nishida Toshiyuki, Aoki Munetaka, Azuma Mikihisa, Imai Masayuki, Ukaji Takashi, Kaho, Sasano Takashi, Shinozuka Masaru, Suzuki Fuku, Takaoka Saki, Takasugi Ko, Tsuruta Shinobu, Tsurumi Shingo, David Ito, Hakamada Yoshihiko, Hiraizumi Sei, Hiruma Yoshinori, Morimoto Leo, Ryu Raita, Watanabe Dai
Synopsis: In Keicho 5 (1600), Shinmen Takezo (Kimura Takuya), a young man of Miyamoto Village from the countryside of Yoshino in Saku (Mimasaka) Province, participates in the Battle of Sekigahara as a foot solider with the ambition of making his way in life. Together with his childhood friend Honiden Matahachi (Santamaria Yusuke), he takes the side of the Western Army. However, they do not know who is friend or foe on a battlefield with some 180,000 men. In that chaos, the way of fighting of a man in the Eastern Army catches Takezo’s eye. The man who displays this fluid, beautiful swordplay is Sasaki Kojiro (Sawamura Ikki) who would become a worthy rival in his lifetime. Although the Western Army suffered a crushing defeat, Takezo survived the Battle of Sekigahara, and breaks through a checkpoint and returns to their hometown of Miyamoto Village in order to let Matahachi’s mother Osugi (Baisho Mitsuko) know that her son is safe. Although Matahachi has a fiancee Otsuu (Maki Yoko), he is swayed by the bewitching widow Okou (Takaoka Saki) whom he encountered while on the run, and disappears with Okou and her daughter Akemi (Kaho). Coming across pursuers, Takezo instantly takes a woman who happens to be passing by his side, to be his shield. This woman is Matahachi’s fiancee, Otsu. In the end, Takezo is captured through the plan of Takuan (Kagawa Teruyuki), a monk of a mountain temple where Otsu has sought refuge. Before Takezo can say anything, Takuan hoists him up a big tree called a thousand year cedar. This is not punishment for a ruffian, but Takuan’s own lecture, admonishing Takezo to change his reckless way of life. However, the hot-blooded Takezo cannot grasp the profound teachings. Then, Takezo is freed from the cedar tree by none other than Otsu who says she would help him if he takes her with him. She no longer belongs in this village because Matahachi eloped with a woman. With faint feelings for each other, the two of them flee into the mountains. However, Otsu collapses from a raging fever after falling into a river. Takezo seeks Takuan’s help to save her life and is thrown into the prison in Himeji Castle. Four years later, Takezo is released from confinement. He receives a new name “Miyamoto Musashi” from the lord of the castle Ikeda Terumasa (Sasano Takashi) and Takuan, and decides to set out on a journey to train in swordfighting. He keeps his ambition to make a name for himself through the way of the sword and become the lord of a province one day to himself. As a first step, Takezo knocks on the door of the distinguished and famous Yoshioka Training Hall. But Seijuro (Matsuda Shota), the second generation head of the clan who has taken over the Yoshioka school of sword fighting is away from home. Although Seijuro has had no equal from a young age and possesses supreme sword fighting skills, he now relies entirely on the prestige of his family name and sows wild oats. His disciples are about to brush off the unknown Takezo who has set out for the school to defeat everyone there. However, he beats them easily despite being rough at the edges. At that moment, Seijuro is visiting Gion’s red-light district. This brothel has been opened by Okou, and Matahachi has been living off her earnings, leading the life of a degenerate … … After that, it is decided that Takezo will duel with Seijuro one month later. In order to hone his skills, Takezo visits Kofukuji’s Hozoin in Nara which is well-known for its spearsmanship, and challenges its best disciple Agon (Ukaji Takashi), but … …
Official Website: www.tv-asahi.co.jp/musashi
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