Please note that this is not to be mistaken with another series with the same title, Ooku which features Kanno Miho. The cast from this latest series stars Matsushita Yuki, Takashima Reiko, Seto Asaka, Kyono Kotomi, Nonami Maho, Hoshino Mari, Kimura Tae, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Kaneko Noboru etc. Basically, Ooku is the name of an "organization" whereby a group of women work to serve the shogun (general). The story basically depicts the struggles of women living within this system and focuses on one particular lady, Oofuku (the later Kasube-sama or Lady Kasube) who rose through the ranks from a nursing maid to rule the Ooku. Oofuku was the wife of a bushi, Inaba Masanari who was down and out. She tended to the household and had to take care of her three sons at the same time. However, she was constantly ridiculed by her husband's concubines who refused to obey her. One day, when her husband's friends tried to rob them and one of them tried to force himself on her, Oofuku was driven to the edge when she saw one of the concubines looking on and mocking her for her plight. Her rage made her kill the robber and the concubine. To save face, her husband divorced her and made her leave the family. Oofuku then had to seek refuge in a relative's house in Kyoto. It was there when she heard that the shogun family was looking for a nursing maid to take care of the yet-to-be born heir to Hidetaka (the next-in-line after the current shogun, Ieyasu) and Oofuku, being from a family of status in the past (her father was killed for being a rebel against Oda Nobunaga) and had some education, was chosen by the shogun for this post. However, Oeyo, the wife of Hidetaka bore a grudge against Oofuku as she felt that with her presence, she could not take care of her own son and started to make life difficult for her and her own son, Takechiyo. She even practised preferential treatment when another son was born. From then on, Oofuku, treating Takechiyo as her own son, tried to protect him from harm and were at loggerheads with Oeyo during their numerous clashes in Ooku.
The story can be broken up into two sections i.e. the first being Oofuku vs Oeyo (Takashima Reiko) and the second being Oofuku vs Oman (Seto Asaka) who was to become Iemitsu's i.e Takechiyo's favourite concubine. I wouldn't want to go into too much details as the description above is just what happens in Ep 1 only and that's just the background of how Oofuku got into Ooku in the first place.
What I found very interesting about this drama was the fact that the plot was very intriguing and engaging even for a period drama like this. I must admit that I don't know much about Japanese history except for a few famous historical figures like Miyamoto Musashi, Oda Nobunaga whom have been played countless times on TV. However, even though the story touches more on the struggles of women surviving in Ooku and the fights between them, it's done in a very tasteful manner. Besides, the cast have done pretty well and their costumes are really elaborate with beautiful sceneries as the setting. Thus, I would definitely recommend this as a much watch even though I have never been a fan of Japanese period dramas. This has definitely changed my impression of this genre and I look forward to the sequel since the story is definitely unfinished with Iemitsu having 3 sons and 4 concubines.
Ratings for the entire season:
1) 16.6%
2) 16.3%
3) 19.1%
4) 16.6%
5) 19.4%
6) 17.6%
7) 15.2%
8) 17.8%
9) 18.2%
10) 15.8%
11) 20.3%
Average: 17.53%
The second highest rated drama in Autumn 04 behind Last Christmas. Generally good ratings but they fluctuate within a 5% range. Somehow, the earlier episodes seem to have better figures and that's when they pit Matsushita Yuki vs Takashima Reiko. Frankly speaking, I also think that this was more interesting that Matsushita vs Seto Asaka.
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