On March 17, Onoe Ukon, who plays Ashikaga Yoshiaki in the NHK Taiga drama "BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）" (NHK General, Sundays at 8pm, etc.), visited places associated with Yoshiaki in Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture. At Jokoku-ji Temple, where Yoshiaki lived as his residence after being exiled by Oda Nobunaga and relying on the Mori clan, he stood before Yoshiaki's memorial tablet and participated in a tea ceremony. Ukon said, "' BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）' is a realistic coming-of-age drama. In a story of people living vividly while constantly facing death, Lord Yoshiaki is a very human character, capable of taking part in politics himself, and a person with a strong sense of responsibility as a shogun." He added, "I tried to portray Yoshiaki in a way that would make viewers feel attached to him."
It is said that after his conflict with Nobunaga, Yoshiaki fled Kyoto and established his government, the "Tomo Shogunate," in Fukuyama.
On the same day, Ukon also appeared at a talk show held in the city. After visiting Jōkokuji Temple and Tanabeji Temple, where he is said to have reunited with Hideyoshi after being banished by Nobunaga, Ukon revealed, "I strongly felt that appearing in a historical drama series means carrying the hopes and dreams of the people in the areas associated with it."
Furthermore, Ukon, who said he felt a variety of nuances when he saw the scenery that hadn't changed in 400 years, revealed his true feelings, saying, "I wish I could have visited before filming."
Ukon plays Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the last shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, who was tossed about by a series of extraordinary events. Regarding Yoshiaki, Ukon shared his impression that "he was eager to take on the era as shogun," and added, "After hearing today's explanation that his goal was to restore the shogunate, I feel that even more strongly."
In the 11th episode, "The Honkokuji Incident," airing on March 22nd, the Miyoshi Triumvirate, who want to dethrone the newly appointed Shogun Yoshiaki, take advantage of Nobunaga's absence to attack Honkokuji Temple in Kyoto where Yoshiaki is staying. Ukon highlighted "Yoshiaki's tears" as a key point of interest, and teased, "I think you'll be able to see a delicate, quiet, and new side of Lord Yoshiaki in a certain scene."
He concluded the talk by saying, "Please continue to enjoy ' BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）"
"BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）" is the 65th Taiga drama. With Toyotomi Hidenaga (Koichiro) as the protagonist, it depicts the miraculous feat of unifying Japan together with his older brother Hideyoshi (Tokichiro) through their strong bond, a success story of dreams and hopes.
