Announcement about NHK's 2018 Taiga "Segodon" featuring Saigo Takamori

NHK announced on 8 September that their 2018 Taiga drama will be "Segodon" which is based on the same-titled novel by Hayashi Mariko currently serialised in "Hon no Tabibito". The script will be written by Nakazono Miho who was known for her works such as NHK morning drama "Hanako to Anne" and TV Asahi's "Doctor X Gekai ~ Daimon Michiko ~". The drama features the lifetime of Saigo Takamori who was regarded as a hero in the Meiji Restoration era. Filming is expected to begin in the summer of 2017 and the drama will consist of 50 episodes which will be shown from January 2018.

Saigo experienced two banishments to islands and three marriages during his lifetime and was credited for his part in overthrowing the Tokugawa Bakufu and realising the Meiji Restoration. His last days were spent fighting the new Meiji government. There is a bronze statue of him at Ueno Park in Tokyo but there is no photo or picture of him and little is known about his life.

Rumours have it that Tsutsumi Shinichi was initially selected to play the role of Saigo in this Taiga but rejected the offer in the end. However, NHK has not confirmed nor denied the rumours to date.

Source: Oricon