Atsuhime
The 47th NHK Taiga Drama is a life story of Princess Atsu, who was born in Kagoshima Prefecture, then called Satsuma, and became the wife of Tokugawa Iesada, the 13th shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate. She accedes to the highest rank in Ooku, the inner palace of the Edo castle where women related to the reigning shogun resided. Iesada dies soon after their marriage and Atsuhime assumes the name Tenshoin at the age of 23. She exerts herself for the Tokugawa clan and for the nation during the upheaval in the Meiji Restoration, headed by those from Satsuma.
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Ep 1Child of Destiny
The episode starts off in Satsuma in 1835, 20 years prior to the arrival of the Black Ships led by Matthew C. Perry. People in Satsuma are excited by the arrival of the heir to the domain, Shimazu Nariakira, from Edo. Meanwhile, a long-awaited daughter is born in one of the cadet families of Shimazu clan, the Imaizumi Shimazu family. The father of the girl, Shimazu Tadatake, and the mother, Oyuki, name her “Katsu,” wishing the child’s happiness. Okatsu grew up as a tomboy, much stronger than her brothers, yet is warm-hearted and full of curiosity.
Ep 2Vow at Sakurajima
Zusho's financial reform successfully clears Satsuma clan's debt, however, many people are still badly off. Young samurai, including Saigo Kichinosuke and Okubo Shosuke, feel hatred toward Zusho. Meanwhile, Zusho invites Okatsu and Naogoro to his place, asking Okatsu a favor before he heads for Edo.
Ep 3Satsuma Divide
Oyura, concubine of Shimazu Narioki, the clan head, plots to make her son Tadayuki an heir to the Satsuma clan which provokes a serious confrontation within a group of samurai who stand by Nariakira, Narioki's legal wife's son. Shosuke is punished for his involvement in the family quarrel. Wishing to help Shosuke's family make ends meet, Okatsu offers food and money, however, Shosuke's mother, Fuku, refuses.
Ep 4A Wise Lord Angered
Nariakira succeeds as the head of the Satsuma clan. Although Nariakira is active in reform, Kichinosuke and other young samurai are impatient that Shosuke is not granted clemency. Meanwhile, Nariakira officially invites members of Shimazu's branch families to his place. On the day of Okatsu's visit, she asks Nariakira why he has not pardoned Shosuke.
Ep 5Japan's Best Man
Tadatake learns from Tadayuki that his son wants to marry Okatsu. Naogoro is upset to hear the news. Meanwhile, Naogoro meets John Manjiro who had just come back from the U.S. Inspired by Manjiro's free-minded way of thinking, Naogoro tells Tadatake that he too loves Okatsu. The next day, Tadatake is called up by Nariakira where he informs his plans of Okatsu.
Ep 6A Woman's Destiny
Tadatake is delighted with Nariakira's offer to adopt Okatsu, but Oyuki senses something is wrong with Kikumoto who brought up Okatsu. Okatsu is unable to absorb the situation and begs Tadatake to let her talk directly to Nariakira. On the morning of her visit, Kikumoto advises Okatsu that going against one's destiny is a dishonor for women.
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