visions of clarity...do as infinity

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Atsuhime / 篤姫

Hello

After months of watching and tearing and feeling all worked up for this dorama, I've finally finished all 50 episodes of it.=)

篤姫 [atsuhime] is the life story of Princess Atsu [atsuhime], later known as Lady Tenshoin [tenshoin sama] who was the wife of the Shogun Tokugawa Iesada, the man who signed with Commodore Perry. She also witnessed many other life-changing events in the landscape of Japanese history, from Commodore Perry's arrival, to the Meiji Restoration, and the formation of the new Japan. Coming from a mere vassal family in the Satsuma region [southern Japan I believe], she was adopted into the head family of the Satsuma region and later got into an arranged marriage with the Tokugawa.

The dorama itself deals with personal issues, women's issues, political, and historical events all rolled into one epic tale of Atsuhime's life. Totally engaging, very very interesting, and very well made, I think that this is even better than 風林火山, the first full NHK Taiga Dorama that I watched.=P

Plus they've got really good actors and a really good script, tying together every element nicely.=) I guess it's not that difficult to link up the historical events but also weaving in details of the life in the Ooku [the women's quarters in the Shogun palace], details of life as a samurai, and so on is a good feat indeed. The grandiosity of the Ooku contrasted greatly with the more humble abodes of the vassal families in various regions of Japan. Although most of this was focused on the samurai class, and a little of the noble class, I guess we did get to see how the historical events were brought into fruition in Japan in the past.

A lot more interesting than reading a textbook if you ask me.=P

Ok, so I thought the whole "spirits of the dead returning to impart wisdom" thing was totally lame [and apparently rather characteristic of Taiga Doramas] and some of the lines were super touching but totally cheesy. Still, the rest of the dorama totally made up for it. Especially Miyazaki Aoi and Eita in starring roles!! =D =D =D I really admire Miyazaki Aoi's range of acting abilities. It's fantastic!

Do I recommend this? YES
Should you watch it? It depends.

I guess if you have no interest in Japanese history and culture whatsoever, it might bore you a little. And it's rather long, at a hefty 50 episodes of about less than an hour each. I liked it though. And if you watch it, I'm hoping you'll like it too.=)

What's next? I'm thinking of the Korean drama, Gourmet! Or maybe Kurosagi? =P

Randomly, YX is going back today! (T_T) Sadness. We did go to a Maple Syrup Festival this morning though! Haha.=) And later, I'll be making beouf bourguignon and we'll be watching Red Cliff 2!!!

Yay~ AND! I got into KCJS.=) This weekend is HAPPY!

But I must still do work. *sigh*

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : 心・戰 阿蘭 + 絲路梁靜茹]
[mood : ^_^]
[food : pancakes with maple syrup~]

Labels: Atsuhime, thoughts

Monday, October 13, 2008

Domo-kun at Target?!

Hello!

In following with my latest trend of posting on the blog before facebook [gasp!], here I shall share my Saturday with you. ;)

Lunch at Cherry Blossom! =) I was rewarded with a perfectly grilled saba shioyaki. Yummm. ^_^ I haven't eaten yummy, fresh fish in a long time...

Then we went grocery shopping!!!

After doing our thing in Meijer, we dropped by Target.. Land of all things affordable and everything! xD

Domo-kun has taken over the candy section!!! Swimming through candy corn must be hard work...

Domo-kun also has control over airspace... Horrors!

Giant Domo-kuns everywhere!!! =P There was even a Domo-kun pinata.. Haha..

And of course, a visit to Target is never complete unless you buy something totally useless but totally worth it..

A GIANT THREE-POUND BAG OF HARIBO GUMMIBEARS!!!!!!!!! xD xD xD Kyaa!~ My love!

Mountains and mountains of gummibears is study happiness!!! =D =D =D

Okay. Back to statistics.. xP And I've been watching the new [ok not really..] NHK 大河ドラマ called 篤姫!!! =D =D =D [The Taiga Dorama called Atsuhime.] It's SUPER fantastic. I realized that I have a thing for 大河ドラマ... Am I turning into an auntie?! Or is this just showing my appreciation for history and culture?! x__X

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Music from 篤姫 + 蕾　コブクロ]
[mood : -_-]
[food : my dinner of 姜葱虾米粉 on a bed of sauteed 小白菜!!!]

ZL: Yes please do! =D Then we can practice together! ^_^

Labels: Atsuhime, dorama, edibles, Japanese Food, Target

Welcome

visions of clarity...do as infinity
by witchstone

My Emotible!
starry-eyed: filled with such youthful hope and optimism that one's eyes twinkle even when it's dark

Wish List

ie: motivation to save money!
- clothes
- shoes [heels! boots!]
- the perfect tote
- coats/outerwear! [Soïa & Kyo, Burberry...]
- Gackt - nine*nine
- Gackt Photobooks:
1 The Gift The Sixth Day & Seventh Night Tour Document (2004)
2 Crescent Photobook (out of print)
- Cookbooks!
1 Thomas Keller The French Laundry Cookbook
2 The Nobu Cookbook
3 Emily Luchetti A Passion for Desserts
4 Alice Medrich Pure Dessert
- Anime/Manga
1 Rurouni Kenshin
2 xxxHOLiC
3 Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE-
- Proficiency at Japanese!
- Learn French for Food!

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spoonerisms*inc a food blog (by wendy & I)
my translation blog

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Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes, Detroit
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Alinea, Chicago
The French Laundry, California
Goto, Singapore

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