shinsengumi

42 years after the start, this year's 43rd Historical Drama is the story of Isami Kondo who was the charismatic commander of Shinsengumi. From 1850's to 60's, in the last days of the Tokugawa Shogun regime, there were groups of young samurai who were hoping for bright future, some working for the Tokugawa shogunate and others for the opposition. Their strong will would often collide with one another which eventually caused the era to move from the feudal Edo period to the modern Meiji era. Among all these groups, Shinsengumi which supported the shogunate system was the most feared by radical samurai groups which were assassinating the shogunate supporters. Shinsengumi members were also full of hope and believed in their way to sustain order in Kyoto. However, due to their high sword fighting skills and their spirits perhaps too pure, they experienced both glory and downfall in a short period of time. The drama will present the strong will and glory of the men of Shinsengumi that lived through the age of turmoil in Japanese history. Shingo Katori who was born in 1977 plays the leading character, Isami Kondo. He is a member of SMAP, one of the most popular idol groups in Japan.

Starring:   Shingo Katori, Koichi Sato, Yosuke Eguchi, Joe Odagiri, Kantaro Nakamura,
               Motomitsu Yamaguchi, Shido Nakamura, Yuka, Rei Kikukawa, Yasuko Sawaguchi,
               Hideki Noda, Kunie Tanaka, Koji Ishizaka, and others

Eps. 1

On April 29th, 1864, in Kyoto. Commander Isami Kondo with Vice Commander, Toshizo Hijikata leads Shinsengumi to raid roshi, masterless samurai. It was informed that a Choshu leader, Kogoro Katsura turned up at a Japanese-style restaurant where a group of roshi is gathering for conspiracy. The Shinsengumi members including Soji Okita and Hajime Saito dressed in the uniforms raid the restaurant ending in a great success. However, they could not arrest their main target, Kogoro Katsura who disappeared in the middle of the raid. Hearing this news, Ryoma Sakamoto remembers the time when he first met 21-year-old Isami Kondo, ten years ago in 1854. The scene goes back to 1854, when 21-year-old Kondo and his friend, Hijikata have a quarrel with Kogoro Katsura, young sarcastic swordsman. They also meet Ryoma Sakamoto and make friends with him. Ryoma suggests Kondo and Hijikata to go to Uraga to see US Commodore Perry's "Kurofune" or black ships. They disguise as the attendants of Shozan Sakuma, politician and specialist on naval and coastal defense issues, to head for Uraga. When they see the ships they become overwhelmed with their size and realize their insignificance.

Eps. 2

In 1857, Isami Kondo goes to his hometown in Tama from Shieikan, his dojo or sword skill training hall, with Mitsu Okita who is working at Shieikan to give sword training lessons to the locals. In Tama, Isami meets again his best friend, Toshizo Hijikata who is working as a peddler selling medicine. Isami is asked by the local supporters to protect the property of Takimoto Family from a robbers' attack which has been frequent recently in the area. Takimoto Family is a wealthy farmer and their son, Sutesuke is Isami's friend from his childhood. Isami heads for Takimoto's together with Toshizo Hijikata who has an interest at heart in swordsmanship. Sutesuke has already hired Shinpachi Nagakura as a paid guard and introduces him to Isami and Toshizo. On that night, the robbers attack Takimoto's. Isami, Toshizo, and Shinpachi Nagakura succeed in protecting the property. However, Isami slays a robber to defend Toshizo. Isami cannot help feeling depressed as this was the first time for him to kill a person. Toshizo's elder brother, Tamejiro cheers Isami up by saying "choose your own future with Toshizo" as he foresees the age of turmoil in near future. On the next day, Isami and Toshizo make a trip to see the first U.S. envoy to reside in Japan, Townsend Harris and his party. Isami suggests Toshizo joining Shieikan to do something extraordinary together in future.

Eps. 3

In August, 1858, in Edo, Isami Kondo meets again Ryoma Sakamoto on the street who tells Isami that he will be soon going back to his hometown in Tosa. Isami invites Ryoma and Ryoma's friend Sanai Hashimoto, to his home. When Isami hears the two talking about their future vision on Japan, he is fascinated. However Isami cannot concentrate on the talk since an argument starts between Isami's adoptive parents, Shusuke and Fude on a marriage offer for Isami while Isami's pupils, Sojiro Okita and Genzaburo Inoue make a noise for fun. After the argument, Fude leaves home and Isami tries to persuade her to come home. Isami is also willing to do something for the country, but he is too busy handling with domestic issues and daily trifles. Meanwhile, Toshizo Hijikata is found out to have been committing frauds whenever he sells medicine after making challenges at sword skill training halls. He is beaten up by the pupils from the halls. When, Isami manages to bring his mother Fude back home, Toshizo who is badly injured turns up in front of him. Toshizo says to Isami, "I want to be strong. Let me join Shieikan, your training hall. I want to be samurai".