``Give birth to a prince.'' Both parent and child are extremely obsessed.
But maybe that was the truth at the time.

I'm the masochist man on duty this week. Ishu urges Sadako to give birth to a prince. Is he really a father and son? Just like Michitaka from last time, he has an incredible obsession. It's too cruel for her to act like an ``unprepared Chugu'' to her younger sister who can't have children. But I guess that was the real Imperial Palace at that time.

Finally, Michikane also died. In the end, he becomes a good person and is hugged by Michinaga. Somehow I can't figure it out. When did he go from being such a perverted character as Emperor Hanayama to his shocking first stabbing and his subsequent sadistic behavior to becoming a man of conscience? Ever since Michinaga rescued Michikane from drinking at Kinnin's house? It is true that Michikane is said to be ruthless and have bad behavior in Eika Monogatari and Daikagami, but if that were the case, he could have remained a perverted character. Later on, Mahiro's daughter marries Michikane's son, so I guess it's because it wouldn't be convenient if her daughter's father-in-law died in heels. He was a strong character, so I feel like I was in a position to meet him.

On the other hand, Reo Tamaki, who played the role, gave a great performance. Last year, I went to see the Shakespeare play ``King John'' starring Kotaro Yoshida and Shun Oguri, and I thought there was an actor in cross-dressing who had a strange presence, and it turned out to be Tamaki-san. In the drama about the Shimoyama Incident that aired on NHK the other day, he didn't appear very often, but he still had a presence. I'm sure he'll be more active in the future.

It feels like a second-hand rendition of the previous one, and it lacks a lot of excitement.

The scene where Ishu presses Sadako to give birth to a prince (Miko) was a very gruesome scene in its own way, but it was somewhat similar to the scene in the previous episode where Michitaka approached Emperor Ichijo through the blind curtain, and in terms of impact, it was Arata Iura is a few steps higher. The scene where Michinaga rushes to Michikane on his sickbed, almost kicking through the blinds that serve as a barrier, is several times more impactful than the previous scene where Michitaka climbs over the blinds and approaches the throne, and this time it's somehow a double take. I couldn't help but feel that way, and as a masochist guy, I wasn't really excited about it. Last time Arata Iura was amazing. The scene where he collapses under the bamboo blinds was the same as his acting, and he was applauded because he thought so well about the direction.

In any case, there is no doubt that the obsession that urged her to ``give birth to a prince, to give birth to a royal life'' was an earnest desire of the members of the family that brought her into the court. As Ms. N also wrote, up until now, Chugu Sadako and its surroundings had only been seen as a glamorous salon where Sei Shonagon was active, but this is a vivid depiction that shines a light on these aspects. I feel like this hasn't happened much so far. I think it's pretty good. Also, perhaps that is why Sei Shonagon and Murasaki Shikibu, who were able to demonstrate their talents without being bound by curses, appear light and attractive. Sei Shonagon in the drama also seemed to be hated at first, but now he has become more likable.

That's not true, Mahiro. I feel sorry for Michinaga! !

Now, the important part is Mahiro and Michinaga. I don't understand that scene at the end for some reason. I set up the situation where they meet by chance in an abandoned house, but what? Passing each other? Maybe they're both seeing visions? It is true that there is no contact between Michinaga and Mahiro, who rose to the rank of Minister of the Right, and if there is, they only have old memories. Even if you meet someone for the first time in a while, you may not have anything to talk about. But I don't know. You don't have to dismiss me coldly and say, "You've come to see your old self." It may be impossible to recreate the rich scene, but wouldn't it be nice to say a few words? Because we can't even make eye contact. Does the title “Crossroads” hint at that?

Poor Michinaga. And Mahiro is scared. Or does it mean that she has become a determined woman who is not bound by her past? If interpreted in a very positive way, Michinaga started to change this country through festivals, but he restrained himself by saying, ``I have nothing to say'' because he has not accomplished anything yet. ? Even so, he is a masochistic man who wants to come to a place of memories and tell her not to stand there in a suggestive manner. Well, even if things get twisted easily here, I guess that's just the way it is, so perhaps this slumber is the energy that pulls the drama forward. Even though they are aware that they like each other, they are unable to move forward due to their different positions. Some kind of misunderstanding. There's something similar about that to ``Crash Landing on You.''

In the preview for the next episode, there was a glimpse of Mahiro finally wearing the Junihitoe uniform. Oh, I'm a little hopeful that Mahiro will finally go to the Imperial Palace. With strong characters leaving one after another, Michinaga alone, Kiminoto and Yukinari having somewhat less of an impact, I feel like the future development will lack punch. What will happen? I'm a little worried.

That person was singing this song!
The world of Hyakunin Isshu becomes a little closer to you

It may be a side note, but what really left an impression on me in the last episode was the scene in which Michitaka approaches Emperor Ichijo, and on his deathbed, he says to his beloved wife, ``If only I could die until the end of my life is forgotten...'' I am almost breathlessly reciting the song that Takako composed. Well, that song is from Hyakunin Isshu. However, if I remember correctly, the author was probably a woman called ``Gido Toka's mother.'' When I looked into it, I found out that Takako is the same as ``Mother of Gidou,'' and the correct name is ``Gidou Sanshibo.'' Gido Sanji is said to be the Chinese name for Ishu's position, who later became a junior minister. It's educational. It was the same with Udaisho Michitsunabo, but the world of Hyakunin Isshu, which I had memorized in the past, suddenly felt real, and it was quite interesting.

Murasaki Shikibu and Sei Shonagon, as well as the handsome Koin and Rinko's tutor, Akazomeemon, are also poets included in Hyakunin Isshu, so in the future, their songs will be included, as well as Mitsunaga's famous one. I'm a little curious as to when and how the phrase "I think of this world as my world..." appears, and what kind of interpretation it is given.

What is the review of “To Shining You”?

"Premium Japan Literature Club" (exaggeration) was formed by people who love literature within the Premium Japan editorial department. For literature lovers, the 2024 taiga drama ``Hikaru Kimi e'' was a perfect opportunity to discuss this and that. Volunteers from the editorial department will continue to freely review articles. Editor S and Editor N reviewed the differences between historical facts and dramas, a deep dive into foreshadowing, and more!