"To You Who Shines, Episode 29: As a Mother" Synopsis & What I Say This Week
Nobutaka's sudden farewell, the battle between his wife Noriko and Akiko, Mahiro finally begins writing his story.

This week's episode is by N-san. No way! This week's episode of "To You, Shining One" started with a sudden and eternal farewell to Nobutaka-san, whose manliness had been on the rise recently. I never expected it to end like this...

Although my father, Tametoki, was not appointed to the post this time, Nobutaka promised to financially support the Tametoki family, including Mahiro. What a nice guy. The family spends a lively time together with their two daughters, Kenko. I thought that such happy times would continue.

Mahiro was thinking, "Nobutaka hasn't come around lately," when she received a messenger from his wife. He said that Nobutaka had suddenly died of a sudden illness and that his body had already been cremated! How could that even happen?! Kenko, who could not possibly understand the situation, innocently asked, "What about my father?" and Mahiro could only cry.

What is life? What is life? Mahiro is made to realize that she is in a weak position as a concubine. She comes to deeply understand that there is nothing certain in this world.

Nobutaka-san was a cheerful, open-minded man who knew the good and the bad and had the tolerance to accept both the good and the bad - Mahiro's greatest understanding person - and now he's gone...! I miss Nobutaka more than Mahiro.

The bond between Michinaga and Mahiro is inseparable...
His father, Tametoki, became a teacher of Chinese poetry at the Michinaga family!

Michinaga heard the news of Nobutaka's death. Now that I think about it, I remember that Mahiro's father, Tametoki, had no work to do during this ceremony. Mozuhiko, who was sent by Michinaga, visited Tametoki's residence and asked him to be the Chinese classics teacher for Michinaga's eldest son, Takuru. No matter what anyone says, Michinaga cares about Mahiro.

In fact, it is not clear what Tametoki did to make a living after his four-year term as Echizen no Kami ended and he was not appointed again. It is said that he may have been invited to Chinese poetry gatherings and earned some money there, but there are few records of Tametoki attending such gatherings in the diaries of aristocrats at the time. I wonder what he did until his daughter Mahiro began serving Akiko as a lady-in-waiting.

Let Shoshi raise Prince Atsunobu, Sadako's only child!
A surprising proposal from her older sister, Senko

When Michinaga returns to the Tsuchimikado residence, his wife, Michiko, is angry. She is trying her best to turn Fujitsubo, whose daughter, Shoshi, has become the Empress, into a glamorous harem. However, when Michinaga points out that it is not good for Michiko to visit Fujitsubo so often, Michiko's anger heats up even more. She should stop saying unnecessary things, but men don't seem to understand the atmosphere.

Her elder sister, Senko, begins to feel unwell. As Michinaga nurses her, Senko makes a surprising proposal. She proposes that his daughter, Empress Shoshi, raise Prince Atsuyasu, the only child of the late Sadashi. This means taking him as a hostage. Michinaga rejects the idea, saying that it would be just like his father, Kaneie. But Senko says, "I've already surpassed my father..." Both Senko and Michinaga have lived their lives rejecting the dark side of their father, Kaneie. And yet, the irony is that they end up making the same path and choices as their father. It's heartbreaking.

Michinaga's two wives, Noriko and Akiko
Sons' Proxy Battle Royale

To celebrate the 40th birthday of Princess Senko, Michinaga's sister and the mother of Emperor Ichijo, Michiko's eldest son, Takuru, and Akiko's eldest son, Iwao, performed a children's dance in front of Emperor Ichijo. This celebration is also written about in the diary of Fujiwara no Sanesuke, played by Robert Akiyama, "Shogoki."

It must be scary for Michinaga to have Noriko and Akiko in the room, but I wonder if he's okay. Michinaga is sitting next to Noriko, and Akiko keeps glancing his way, which is scary!

Takuru and Iwao each perform a dance, and when Iwao's dance is deemed excellent and his dance master is awarded a title, Takuru bursts into tears. I think he shouldn't cry, but he's a child after all. He cries.

But this episode is also excellent. From now on, Michinaga's children will compete for success. Takuru, the son of his legal wife Michiko, and Yorimichi, who grew up, climbed the ranks smoothly, but Iwaokimi, and later Yorimune, the children of Akiko's mother, tended to lag behind in succession. It seems Yorimichi will hold a grudge over this children's dance and start competing with Yorimune. The rivalry between mothers will span generations. Scary, scary.

Editor Nko's disturbing delusions about Princess Akiko and Prince Atsuyoshi explode
A true... affair flag?

In the end, Michinaga accepted Senko's suggestion and got Emperor Ichijo to allow Prince Atsuyasu to be raised in Fujitsubo, where Akiko lived. The sight of the innocent Prince Atsuyasu sitting on Akiko's lap with a smile on his face was heartwarming, but inside me, a slightly disturbing delusion exploded.

It's Fujitsubo, isn't it? The beautiful, older Empress? The young prince who lost his mother? Could the young prince fall in love with Empress Shoshi, who is like an older sister to him, and develop an illicit love? Could the prince that Shoshi gives birth to be Prince Atsuyasu's child? If so, isn't this the Kiritsubo chapter of The Tale of Genji? After Kenko, another illegitimate child might be born???

I'm talking about the scriptwriter, Oishi Shizuka. There may be some unexpected developments! I'm looking forward to it! (What???)

The Pillow Book is popularized by Ise in an attempt to regain his power
The difference between Mahiro and Sei Shonagon's literary views is clear

Ise, hoping to restore the power of the Nakakanpaku family, cursed Michinaga and even gave a stern warning to his son's Matsue dance lessons. Sei Shonagon wanted to let the whole court know about the wonderful state of Sadako's harem, and also to get revenge on her hated Michinaga, so she entrusted Ise with "The Pillow Book," which she had written.

Just before she died, in order to clear up some of her grudge, Senshi proposed to Michinaga that Ise be reinstated, and when this was realized, she immediately presented a beautifully bound copy of "The Pillow Book" to Emperor Ichijo. Oh my, the happy days he spent with Sadako flashed in his mind in a dead heat! Memories of Sadako are running around in circles, aren't they?! Just as Ise and Sei Shonagon had planned!

Before entrusting "The Pillow Book" to Ise, Sei Shonagon visited Mahiro and had her read a portion of it. Mahiro was impressed by the vivid descriptions, but she wanted to know not only the bright side of Sadako, but also her dark side, as depicted in "The Pillow Book." She expressed her belief that people have both bright and dark sides. However, Sei Shonagon denied this. Sadako had no dark side. She declared that she did not want to portray any dark side, and they revealed each other's views on literature, and ultimately on life.

For Sei Shonagon, her days with Sadashi were the first and last best times of her life. Michinaga was a factor in her fall from the peak to the bottom, so her resentment was intense. "The Pillow Book" is the shining weapon of Ise and Sei Shonagon.

Nko's interpretation of The Pillow Book is that although the surface is coated with brightness and beauty, at its unwritten core lies the shadows and resentment that Sei Shonagon harbors.

On the other hand, Mahiro's life is complicated and strange. Her mother is killed right in front of her eyes for no apparent reason, she is unable to marry her first love, Michinaga, and Nobutaka, who was a good husband but did not want to become a concubine, dies suddenly. You would think, "What on earth has my life been?" But despite that, Mahiro is a person who holds almost no grudges. At the root of his life, or rather, his bright hopes for life, is his mysterious strength. Is this what you call resignation?

Mahiro's story is written from the knowledge he has accumulated and from his own experiences, but it is a "Tale of Genji" with a strong contrast of light and shadow... It will be interesting to see how it will be depicted in "To You, the Shining One."

All things considered,
Mahiro is always someone's number one girl!

Mahiro is Michinaga's lifelong love and soulmate, and she's also a strong lover who has found Nobutaka, her greatest sympathizer and protector. She's a winner. Mahiro's cheerfulness and strength are things she was born with, but maybe they also come from the mental space she has knowing that a man who fully accepts her is always by her side! Not fair, not fair, Mahiro!

Mahiro has started writing stories, is life as a wife on the horizon?
In real life, it was so hard that I lived as a hikikomori at home for half a year.

After her husband, Nobutaka, passed away, Mahiro started writing stories for her daughter, Kenko, who loved stories. She read "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter" to Kenko. Murasaki Shikibu also seemed to like the image of Princess Kaguya from "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter," and most of the noble women who appear in "The Tale of Genji" die on or around August 8th of the lunar calendar. That's the day Princess Kaguya returns to the moon.

I guess the story will be that she will be serving in the Imperial Court in order to become a lady-in-waiting to Empress Akiko around the week after next. Murasaki Shikibu actually had trouble with the other ladies-in-waiting, so she returned to her parents' home and did not serve for about six months. She suddenly refused to go to work. How will they portray Murasaki Shikibu, who failed right from the start as a member of society? I wonder if Mahiro will become a hikikomori too!

There were a lot of different events this week. I think about this every time, but all of them are full of episodes that remind me of the world of "The Tale of Genji". Oishi Shizuka said that she would not depict a play within a play. She is truly impressive. With new perspectives piled on top of each other, viewers are already feeling like they have read "The Tale of Genji".

Mahiro's life at court and the writing of "The Tale of Genji" are just around the corner!

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!