Ukon Onoe plays Ashikaga Yoshiaki in the NHK Taiga drama "BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）" (NHK General, Sundays at 8pm, etc.), starring Taiga Nakano. Yoshiaki was the last shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, whose life was tossed about by a series of extraordinary events. Aiming to restore the Ashikaga shogunate, he approached Nobunaga (Shun Oguri) through Akechi Mitsuhide (Jun Shun Oguri) and proposed a visit to Kyoto, while at the same time feeling threatened by Nobunaga and engaging in a power struggle to become shogun. In episode 13, "The Suspicious Bride" (aired April 5th), Yoshiaki told Nobunaga, "You are the only one I can rely on," and Onoe said, "I don't think there was a lie in that," and spoke about the "distance between the two."
◇Yoshiaki said, "I can play the role that the other party wants me to play depending on the situation."
"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.
The script is written by Hiroyuki Yatsu, known for his work on "Hanzawa Naoki" (TBS) and the Asadora drama series "Ochoyan." The music is composed by Hideaki Kimura, and the narration is provided by actress Sakura Ando.
Yoshiaki has been appearing in the drama since episode 10, "Nobunaga's Entry into Kyoto" (aired March 15th). Ukon says, "He is skilled at reading people's minds and can play the role that others want him to play depending on the situation."
"I feel that he possesses not only a political acumen but also a very deep understanding of human emotions, and has talent as a politician. On the other hand, he shows his true self in front of Akechi Mitsuhide, and that human side is also appealing. I think that people who live in a world where true feelings and outward appearances intertwine will be able to empathize with Yoshiaki. Although he is a person in the unique position of Shogun, I am trying to portray him in a way that makes him seem as relatable as possible."
◇"There are aspects of Nobunaga that I just can't reach." Fear and anxiety turn into anger.
In the 11th episode, "The Honkoku-ji Incident" (aired March 22), in which the Miyoshi Triumvirate attacked Honkoku-ji Temple where Yoshiaki was staying, Ukon revealed that he was deeply moved, just like Yoshiaki, by Koichiro's (Nakano's) words, "Even if it's a pathetic sight, please survive!" when Yoshiaki was driven into a desperate situation and had made up his mind to die.
"The way the play unfolded was something I never imagined when I first read the script, and I didn't think I would be so emotionally moved. I was so moved by Taiga Nakano's acting that tears naturally welled up, so I decided to let those emotions out. As a result, I think it turned out to be a very beautiful scene. The Toyotomi brothers are really good at tickling people's vulnerabilities, making you laugh in unexpected places and encouraging you in fleeting moments."
Regarding the growing distance between Yoshiaki and Nobunaga, which has progressed beyond mere probing and now appears to be a conflict, he said, "Personally, I believe that the words I conveyed to Nobunaga in episode 13, 'The Suspicious Bride,' 'You are the only one I can rely on,' were not a lie. However, at the same time, Yoshiaki is keenly aware of how unfathomable Nobunaga is."
"The most symbolic expression of those feelings is the scene in episode 13 where Nobunaga presents him with the Five Articles. In front of his retainers, he accepts it as 'honest advice given out of concern for me,' but inwardly he must have been extremely frustrated, and it was a moment when he was made acutely aware of his own immaturity in the world of politics. He must have also felt fear and anxiety that there were aspects of Nobunaga that he could never reach. Those feelings turned into anger, which exploded in the act of slashing at the Fujitoishi stone. I believe that scene is symbolic of Ashikaga Yoshiaki in ' BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）'"
