NHK's program "Heroes' Choices," which spotlights heroes who made decisions that drastically changed history, will rebroadcast "The Warring States Period: A Fixer's Tale - Sokyu Imai, the Wealthy Merchant of Sakai" on NHK BS at 9 PM on July 6th as part of its "selection" series.
The program features Imai Sokyu, a wealthy merchant from Sakai, played by Masato Wada in the network's historical drama "BROTHERS IN ARMS （Toyotomi Brothers!）". It delves into the true nature of this behind-the-scenes fixer who influenced the turbulent Sengoku period through economic means, such as sensing Oda Nobunaga's potential to become the ruler of Japan and supplying him with firearms and gunpowder to support his unparalleled military power.
During the Sengoku period, in Sakai, a city that prospered through trade, Imai Sokyu rose from humble beginnings to make a name for himself. The turning point was his approach to Oda Nobunaga, who visited Kyoto in 1568. By monopolizing gunpowder and lead, which at the time could only be imported, and supplying them exclusively to Nobunaga, he provided the military power that enabled him to conquer Japan.
He taught Nobunaga the tea ceremony and bestowed upon him the authority befitting a ruler of Japan. However, just as he was on the verge of unifying the country, Nobunaga rebelled and fell, forcing Sokyu to make a difficult choice...
