"To the Shining You #25 Determination" Synopsis & What I Say This Week
What will become of the pure love between Emperor Ichijo and Sadashi, and the secret marriage between Nobutaka and Mahiro?

This week's episode is by N-ko. The Echizen arc went by so quickly! The stage has moved from Echizen to Kyoto, and the story is starting to move. Mahiro accepts Nobutaka's love call and finally gets married! Or rather, she agrees to become one of his concubines.

Another movement is between Emperor Ichijo and Sadako. Emperor Ichijo spends all his time hanging out with the heir of the Imperial Court, who is not in the Imperial Palace, where Sadako lives. Since he is not in the Imperial Palace, he is in a state of abandoning his work. With no support left, his feelings for Sadako, who is in an unstable position, grow stronger, and he becomes a love addict.

Fujiwara no Yukinari, who was supposed to report to Emperor Ichijo, repeatedly visits the heir of the Imperial Court and tells Emperor Ichijo about the affairs of the state, but he abandons his job. At the same time, heavy rains cause the Kamo River to burst its banks, and repairs must be made immediately, but the Emperor is busy being lovey-dovey with Teishi.

Michinaga was also angry. He submitted his resignation three times to express his anger.

Sadako is also pitiful. Her brother Ise, who was pardoned and allowed to return to Kyoto, is determined to bring back that glory! He plots to use Sei Shonagon's "The Pillow Book" to create a salon for Sadako like in the old days, but Sadako knows better. Now that she has lost the overwhelming backing of her father Michitaka and her two brothers are no longer at the center of power, she says with a bitter look on her face, "Don't do anything unnecessary!" Poor Sadako...

It's a real headache for Ise, who is unable to read the situation and is trying to regain his power by using his sister as a scapegoat, even though he was a weakling and lost his position.

Quoting "Song of Everlasting Regret" and the Scandal between Emperor Ichijo and Sadako
Is "The Tale of Genji," which is filled with double meanings, worthy of a Bunshun bombshell?

As she began to side with Teishi, she began to neglect her government duties, and the eyes of those around her became increasingly critical... It was just like Bai Juyi's "Song of Everlasting Regret," which depicts the tragic love between Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong.

Mahiro will be writing "The Tale of Genji" in the future, but if you think about it, it's a collection of very familiar stories. It appears to be a quotation from "Song of Everlasting Regret," but behind it lies the scandal of Emperor Ichijo and Teishi. When you start reading it, you'll wonder, "Is this about the government?" or "Is this about the Empress?" For the people of the court, it's like reading a Bunshun cannon with excitement. I think that's why it's so popular.

Mahiro is finally getting married (although it's a mistress and an age gap marriage)

Mahiro's feelings were inclined by Nobutaka's aggressive approach, and he said that it was okay for her to have another man living in her heart, and I'm already in my late 20s and I want to have children, so I guess I'll compromise here! That's the feeling she got from Mahiro... Their marriage was like a game of deception between a fox and a raccoon dog, and Michinaga would have been fine as a concubine, but life has turned out like this. Yes, that's just how life is, isn't it! I, N-ko, was nodding in agreement in front of the TV.

Ito also found a good man in Fukumaru, and Otomaru got together with Kinu, a young woman who was a diver from Echizen. Even if they don't end up getting together as a result of a passionate love affair, from the perspective of people to live together, the couple of Mahiro and Nobutaka might be a good one.

This week, the contrast between Emperor Ichijo, who is filled with a mixture of guilt and love for the unstable situation he has forced into with his own decisions, and the various couples including Mahiro and his friends, and Otomaru and Ito and their friends, was vivid! Well done!

However, I was surprised that Nobutaka was so confident that he went to Michinaga to tell him about his marriage to Mahiro. Nobutaka knew who Mahiro was with! I mean, what's with him going out of his way to tell her and grinning like that? Was he trying to say, "I beat the Minister of the Left!"? I don't like that! I don't get that nerve!

Akiko will finally enter the Imperial Court next week!
Will things develop quickly from here?

In the preview for next week's episode, it seems that the slightly absent-minded Princess Akiko will finally enter the palace! After all, Michinaga had been told by Abe no Seimei to "hand over the treasures." However, I'm worried about whether that princess will be okay.

In actual history, Sadako died immediately after giving birth in December of the second year of the Choho era (2), the year Shoko entered the Imperial Court. She also gave birth to Mahiro (I still believe that the baby's father is actually Michinaga!).

This is where the story finally reaches its climax. As M-Otoko said last week, I want to see Mahiro turn into Murasaki Shikibu soon!

Mahiro wanted beautiful Echizen washi paper
Maybe she'll get it soon... because she'll write that.

This week, the episode started with a visit to an Echizen washi paper workshop. The very precious and beautiful Echizen washi paper is sent to his father, Tametoki, who is also a national official, to collect taxes. Mahiro wants it, but he can't get it because it's a tax.

Perhaps Mahiro will get beautiful and expensive Echizen washi paper. It will be given to him to write "The Tale of Genji". I wonder if Michinaga will bring the washi paper? I wonder if he will say something like "Write a story for Akiko!" I think that's the foreshadowing, but the answer will be a little later.

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!