‘Matsuken’ as Taira-no-Kiyomori exchanged with tsunami victims from Ohfunato City
[From Ohfunato City-my stricken home town]
– East Japan Great Earthquake & Tsunami Disaster-
‘Esashi Fujiwara-no-sato’ in Ohshu City
The historical drama of NHK for 2012, ‘Taira-no-Kiyomori’ in which Mr. Kenich Matsuyama (26) plays the leading part has started shooting on location in Ohshu City, Iwate Prefecture. The first public exhibition of the location site to the press corps was held on August 26.
The tsunami victims from Ohfunato City were also invited to the ‘Fureai Meeting’ or exchange meeting between shooting team and victim citizens at the location site. Exchange program between members of the shooting team and local audiences before its on air, was the first time in NHK’s saga drama history. “I would like to encourage all Japanese people through this drama.” ‘Matsu-ken’ or the leading actor, Mr. Kenich Matsuyama who acted the part of Taira-no-Kiyomori, promised. The great historical hero ‘Kiyomori’ weathered his hardships and plowed his life through the stormy period in Japanese history.
“I like to tell straight that ‘Kiyomori’ had enjoyed living in hardship.” ‘Matsuken’ added. ‘Matsuken’ dressed up as a juvenile delinquent ‘Kiyomori’ when he was young, took action to encourage Japan.
300 audiences, including 30 tsunami victims from a neighboring Ohfunato City were invited to the exchange event held at the location site ‘Esashi Fujiwara-no-sato’ or a Fujiwara Era Village in Esashi Town. The exchange program before on air was drawn up by the members of cast and staff, which was the first experience in its 50 years roman-fleuve drama history.
“Laughing is the theme of this story. ‘Kiyomori’ had a special power of rallying from an inferior position while laughing against difficulties. You will be able to make yourself easy when you face to hard time in your life by just enjoy watching the drama.” ‘Matsu-ken’ in clench his fists in triumph expressed. Together with an actress Kyoko Fukada (28) as Kiyomori’s second wife, and an actor Sadao Abe (41) as his mentor, Michinori Takashina, ‘Matsuken’ talked about inside stories during shooting and made invited audiences laughing.
Actually, Iwate Prefecture was not convenient for ‘Kiyomori’ in our history, where one of his enemies, Yoshitsune Minamoto fled from Kyoto. ‘Iwate is something like my own hometown, because there is a trace of same local accent in most extra locals’ speech.’ ‘Matsuken’ enjoys shooting in Iwate, who is from the next prefecture Aomori.
‘Matsuken’ has positively participated to supporting activities, such as removing rubbles at the stricken sites in Fukushima Prefecture. ‘I really like to encourage victim citizens. My determination of supporting people in the stricken places deepened through exchange program.’ He expressed his feeling after the meeting with victim citizens.
‘I am glad to see victim citizens enjoyed talking with us at the exchange meeting. They actually impelled me to do on this drama.’ Miss Kyoko Fukada, the costar also promised putting a lot of spirit into her performance at the drama.
Taira no Kiyomori (平 清盛 1118 – March 20, 1181) was a general of the late Heian Period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan.
After the death of his father Taira-no-Tadamori in 1153, Kiyomori assumed control of the Taira clan and ambitiously entered the political realm in which he had previously only held a minor post. In 1156, he and Minamoto-no-Yoshitomo, head of the Minamoto clan, suppressed the Hohgen Rebellion. This established the Taira and Minamoto samurai clans as the top warrior clans in Kyoto. However, their new strength in effect caused the allies to become bitter rivals which culminated three years later during the Heiji Rebellion in 1159. Kiyomori, emerging victorious with Yoshitomo and his two eldest killed, was now the head of the single most powerful warrior family/clan in Kyoto. However, his clan’s power and influence in the provinces at this time is a matter of debate. Kiyomori showed mercy and exiled a few of Yoshitomo’s sons, including Yoritomo, Noriyori, and Yoshitsune – a benevolence that would turn out to be the Taira clan’s downfall later on.
 |
| Replicated of ‘Heian-kyo’ & ‘Esashi Fujiwara-no-sato’ |
‘Esashi Fujiwara-no-sato’ was specially built as the location site for the saga drama ‘Hono-tatsu’ in 1993 in which was replicated of ‘Heian-kyo’. The location site has been use for several TV dramas including ‘Ryoma-den’ in 2010.
Heian-kyō (平安京), was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto. It was the capital of Japan for over one thousand years, from 795 to 1868 with an interruption in 1180.
Emperor Kanmu established it as the capital in 794, moving the Imperial Court there from nearby Nagaoka-kyo at the recommendation of his advisor Wake-no-Kiyomaro and marking the beginning of the Heian Period of Japanese history. Modeled after the Tang Dynasty Chinese capital of Chang’an (modern day Xi’an), it remained the chief political center until 1185, when the samurai Minamoto clan defeated the Taira clan in the Genpei War, moving administration of national affairs to Kamakura and establishing the Kamakura Shogunate.
Although, political power would be wielded by the samurai class over the course of three different shogunates, Heian remained the site of the Imperial Court and seat of Imperial power, and thus remained the official capital. In fact, even after the seat of Imperial power was moved to Tokyo in 1868, since there is no law which makes Tokyo the capital, there is a view that Kyoto legally or officially remains the capital even today.
＜Reference＞
http://www.sanspo.com/geino/news/
http://www.chunichi.co.jp/chuspo/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
View Esashi Fujiwara-no-sato in a larger map
(4 投票, 平均値/最大値: 4.50 / 5)
Loading...