Preview of "Onna no Kunshou" (Drama SP)

Title: Onna no Kunshou 女の勲章 (A woman's badge)
Official website: here
O.A. Dates: 15th & 16th April at 9pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Original novel by: Yamazaki Toyoko
Scriptwriter: Asano Taeko
Cast: Matsushima Nanako, Tamaki Hiroshi, Mimura, Aibu Saki, Kinami Haruka, Suruga Taro, Enami Kyoko, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Asano Yuuko & Nagatsuka Kyozo

Supporting cast lineup of FujiTV drama SP "Onna no Kunshou" announced

The supporting cast lineup of FujiTV drama SP "Onna no Kunshou" starring Matsushima Nanako and due to be shown this spring was announced on 16 February. The drama which is based on the same-titled novel by the late Yamasaki Toyoko, features Matsushima as the heroine Oba Noriko who starts a small dressmaking school in Kansai after the end of WWII and gets embroiled into the spiral of jealousy among women in the fashion industry.

Oba Noriko was from a family operating a woolcloth wholesale business before the war happened and she lost everything as a result. Since young, she has been interested in clothes and decides to open her own dressmaking school. However, once she starts to do well, the old-fashioned industry leaders of the fashion world see her as an eyesore and subject her to harsh treatment in order to get her out of the way. With the help of Yashiro Ginshiro who teaches her business management and her students Rinko, Katsumi and Tomie, Noriko gradually builds up her business. Unfortunately, personal desires of the women and being made use of by Ginshiro causes Noriko to be hurt badly and she later meets Shiraishi, an university professor who also has emotional issues of his own.

Tamaki Hiroshi will be playing the role of Ginshiro who will be speaking Kansai-ben in this drama SP. With regard to this, Tamaki commented that he had a huge amount of lines to memorise this time so he hopes to be able to show Ginshiro's gift of the gab through his acting. As for Noriko's three students, they will be played by Aibu Saki, Kinami Haruka and Mimura. Nagatsuka Kyozo will be playing Shiraishi who supports Noriko through all her troubles while Asano Yuuko will be playing a big-name designer who stands in Noriko's way. Other co-stars include Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Suruga Taro and Enami Kyoko.

As the drama is set in the fashion industry, a total of 60 outfits, 50 pieces of jewellery and 18 hats were prepared for Matsushima alone of which more than 10 outfits were designed and made by famous fashion designer Nakai Eiichiro. As for Mimura, Aibu and Kinami, they each have about 30 outfits each. In total, the 10 main cast members have about 200 outfits so viewers will be treated to a galore of beautiful clothes through this drama.

Sources: Sanspo / Yomiuri Hochi

Matsushima Nanako to star in FujiTV drama SP "Onna no Kunshou"

Matsushima Nanako will be starring in the FujiTV drama SP "Onna no Kunshou" (A woman's badge) which will be shown next year. The drama which is based on the same-titled novel by the late Yamasaki Toyoko, features Matsushima as the heroine Oba Noriko who starts a small dressmaking school in Kansai after the end of WWII and gets embroiled into the spiral of jealousy among women in the fashion industry.

Oba Noriko was from a family operating a woolcloth wholesale business before the war happened and she lost everything as a result. Since young, she has been interested in clothes and decides to open her own dressmaking school. However, once she starts to do well, the old-fashioned industry leaders of the fashion world see her as an eyesore and subject her to harsh treatment in order to get her out of the way. With the help of Yashiro Ginshiro who teaches her business management and her students Rinko, Katsumi and Tomie, Noriko gradually builds up her business. Unfortunately, personal desires of the women and being made use of by Ginshiro causes Noriko to be hurt badly and she later meets Shiraishi, an university professor who also has emotional issues of his own.

As most of Yamasaki's novels feature male lead characters, this is one of the few where women take centrestage. For Matsushima, this is the first time that she is appearing in an adaptation of Yamasaki's novel so she commented that she is very honoured to be given this chance. As for her thoughts about her character Oba Noriko, Matsushima commented that although Oba found success as a fashion designer, she was also embroiled in jealousy, desires, love, hate and money which caused ripples in her life. As such, she hope to be able to show the amazing story depicted in Yamasaki's novel through this drama with the help of the director, staff and her co-stars.

In addition, the clothes worn in the drama will be decided through an open call for designs from students studying designing or those interested in this field. The best 20 designs will be featured in the fashion show during the climax scene of the drama. During the filming, there will be judges who will pick the best design out of the 20 shortlisted entries to win the Grand Prix title and 5 others to win the Excellence award. Designs are to be sent to the TV station before 22 December.

Sources: Nikkansports / Sanspo / Oricon