To the Shining You Episode 46: "The Toi Invasion"Synopsis & Whatever I want to say this week
Mahiro suffered from complete burnout syndrome.
He traveled to the continent with Shu Ming and it seemed like he was going to be the start of the Yoshitsune legend, but Shu Ming died? A shocking turn of events.
This week's M-man is on duty. There are only three more episodes left, including this one. We're literally at the end of the line.
The climaxes of the second half, "The Song of the Moon" and "Michinaga's Renunciation," have come to an end, so the question now is how to build up excitement towards the final episode.
That's when the "Toi Invasion" came up. Hmm, M-san, I chose Japanese history for my university entrance exam, so I wonder if something like that came up? I remember "Wakou" and "Mongol Invasion" though.
But the first battle scene in "To You, the Shining One" was simple, but very powerful.
Mahiro and Shumei, who were destined to meet in Dazaifu
Mahiro and Shumei meet in Dazaifu. It's been 20 years since they last met. Mahiro is a genius, as he can speak Chinese without using it even once for 20 years.
Shumei and Sojumaru also meet. It's a small thing, but these two are the father and son from the morning drama series "Scarlet" a while back.
Takaie is also in Dazaifu. His beard is a little strange, but he is as open-minded as ever, and calls Mahiro the author of "The Tale of Genji" who ruined his family. Well, that's not far off the mark, and Mahiro seems to be embarrassed too.
Even so, Takaie and Shumei are so perceptive. Takaie realizes that Shumei and Mahiro do not hate each other, and Shumei, for his part, realizes that the Minister of the Left, Michinaga, is now known as Taikou-denshi (His Lordship) and is the man Mahiro has loved for many years.
On the other hand, Mahiro feels a little sober even after coming to Dazaifu. He expresses this in his conversation with Shumei in the rain-soaked boathouse. I wrote earlier that the battle scene was interesting, but the climax of this episode is actually the boathouse and the conversation between Michiko and Akazomeemon that took place a little before that.
Akasomeemon emphasizes the importance of historical books written in kana
Let's start with Akazome Emon. The significance of her presence, which was something like a senior wife to Mahiro, becomes clear here. As the author of "Eiga Monogatari," she has been making modest appearances in various ways to assert the significance of stories, or more accurately, historical books.
The reign of Emperor Uda, who appears at the beginning of "Eiga Monogatari," was at the end of the 9th century, 100 years before Michinaga. From the perspective of Michiko, who asked the author to "record the story of Michinaga's glory," starting 100 years ago was certainly too far back.
However, Akazome Emon insists, "This is the first time I've seen a historical document written in kana characters." Pressed by his enthusiasm, Michiko says, "You can do whatever you want with me now." Lately, Michiko has often had a furrowed, scary look on her face, but this is the first time in a while that she has shown a genuine smile. The cat playing innocently between the two of them is adorable too!
Sanesuke's "Shogoki" and Yukinari's "Gonki" are historical books written in kanji that state the facts in a matter-of-fact manner. Written in kana, "Eiga Monogatari" contains dramatized parts and a sprinkling of errors, but it also contains subtle descriptions of human psychology and is considered a valuable work of literature.
It is said that it is not historically certain whether Akasome Emon was the author. However, the scene where Akasome Emon, who had been calm and steady throughout the story, excitedly speaks was quite moving.
Starting with "The Diary of Lady Otome," the show covers "The Pillow Book," "The Diary of Izumi Shikibu," "The Tale of Genji," and even the establishment of "The Tale of Eiga." It's easy to see that a sub-theme of this "To You, the Shining One" was to carefully follow the flow of so-called "Heian women's literature."
Mahiro is now suffering from complete burnout syndrome
And then there's the boathouse scene.
"I don't have the energy to write anything anymore. I'm done," Mahiro reveals. She is suffering from complete burnout. The syndrome seems to be even more deeply rooted because it is related to her relationship with Michinaga.
The contrast between Akazome Emon, who is enthusiastically about to start working on a history book in kana characters, and Mahiro, who is burned out, is vivid, or perhaps cruel.
"It's over, but I can't accept it." This "it's over" also includes the feeling that she has lost the will to continue telling the story, and that her relationship with Michinaga has also ended.
"You still have life. You can live differently from now on," said Zhou Ming. But for creators who have poured their whole being into their creations, that kind of goody-goody or ordinary advice is of no use at all.
And now you want me to write your story? That's just rude. Or are you trying to flirt?
As a writer, Shizuka Oishi must have literally written the script for this scene while referring to her own experiences. It's a wonderful one-liner. Even if you're not Mahiro, it will make you cry.
The distance between Mahiro and Shumei narrows after they confess their true feelings, and just when you think they might become intimate, Otomaru falls asleep with a thud. It really adds a nice touch.
Maybe he pretended to be asleep to get their attention and show them, "Otomaru is here too, we're not alone." But what happened to the two of them after that, God only knows.
Heian aristocrats did not wear helmets even in battle, but instead wore eboshi hats.
The Toi attacked. Takaie, now on horseback, was wearing armor, but not a helmet, only a black hat. While the others were wearing helmets, he was still wearing a black hat, which was of no use as armor, probably because he was an aristocrat, not a warrior.
By the way, when I looked into it, I found that the Toi invasion was carried out by a Jurchen tribe with about 50 ships and about 3000 people. More than 300 Japanese were killed, so it was a very serious incident. The battle was not just a little on the beach like in the drama, but it seems to have been much larger in scale.
As the Japanese side pursued, Takaie said, "Do not go further than Iki or Tsushima. If you go any further than that, you will be attacking another country."
Takaie is amazing, he has an international sense, but I doubt it's true, but according to Wikipedia, it seems to be true. The military invasion was stopped thanks to Takaie's efforts. This is what Abe no Seimei once predicted to Michinaga, "Takaie-sama will be of use to you."
The two of them hold hands and run away. Then an arrow hits them.
Mahiro and Shumei are also caught up in the fighting. The two of them run away. It's a small thing, but the music that plays at this time is a little different.
That music is supposed to be the "Love Theme of Mahiro and Michinaga" that plays when Michinaga rushes to Mahiro's side, or when Mahiro rushes to Michinaga's side. Even though it was a scene where they were being led by Shumei and escaped together, I wish they hadn't used it.
And then there was the shocking scene. An arrow hits Shumei's chest. I couldn't help but exclaim, "What?" It was the same kind of shock I felt when Mahiro's mother was stabbed to death by Michikane in the first episode.
Shuming had said, "There's something I want to talk to you about when I get back to Dazaifu," so I thought he would be serious and say, "Let's go to Song together." However, I didn't think that going to Song together with Shuming would turn out to be a ridiculous development, like Yoshitsune becoming Genghis Khan, but I never expected Shuming to die.
Mahiro has returned to the capital. Will she be reunited with Michinaga?
I am impressed by Oishi's imagination, which soars to the limit, and how he managed to come up with the idea of Mahiro being caught up in the "Toi Invasion." However, what makes this story more than just a fantasy is that, as always, he carefully examines the motivation for writing the story and the folds of Mahiro's heart afterwards.
On the other hand, without the boathouse scene, it might have become a wild fantasy historical drama. Having said that, anything goes in the remaining two episodes, and I won't be surprised no matter what happens next.
In the preview, it seems that Mahiro is returning to Kyoto. Will she meet Michinaga again? If so, the riverside would be a good place to be.
It would be great if the two of them could have a sweet conversation while watching the flowing river, like the scene in Atami between the elderly couple in Yasujiro Ozu's "Tokyo Story." I'm a masochist who fantasizes about such things.
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"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!
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