* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Taiga Drama: Yae no Sakura (NHK, 2013)
大河ドラマ 八重の桜
An NHK Taiga drama broadcast in 2013 (50 episodes). Its heroine, Niijima Yae, was born into a family of artillery instructors to the Aizu domain. It depicts the Boshin War from the Aizu side of the late Bakumatsu period, and Ayase Haruka starred.
Description
Overview
Yae no Sakura was an NHK Taiga drama broadcast in 2013, 50 episodes in total. Ayase Haruka starred. Its heroine, Niijima Yae, is followed from the late Bakumatsu period into the early Shōwa era.
The Aizu Viewpoint
It is noted for depicting the Bakumatsu period from the Aizu side, rather than from the side of the anti-shogunate forces or the bakufu retainers. A Bakumatsu Taiga drama told from Aizu's viewpoint is said to be the first since Shishi no Jidai in 1980.
Yae and Aizu
Yae was born into a family of artillery instructors to the Aizu domain. Her encounter with the lord, Matsudaira Katamori, had a major influence on her life. After her brother Kakuma returned to Aizu, she taught artillery. She is said to have led an artillery unit in the defense of Aizu and later became the wife of Niijima Jō, founder of Doshisha University.
Boshin War Scenes
Episode 20, which depicts the Battle of Toba–Fushimi, aired on 19 May 2013. Episode 23, "Save Aizu," aired on 9 June 2013.
Swords
The drama does not take swords as its theme; the weapons it depicts centre on artillery. No sword depictions are described here, as none could be confirmed.
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This page is intended to introduce Japanese sword culture and is not affiliated with any of the works mentioned.