The "gender-reversed" setting became increasingly interesting as filming progressed

──Did you read Fumi Yoshinaga's original manga?

Yes, I read the Tsunayoshi arc (collected in volumes 4-6). Period dramas tend to be quite serious, but the original manga had a comedic touch, so I read it quite easily.

──Do you usually read manga?

I read manga by Takehiko Inoue, like "Slam Dunk."

──What are your thoughts on the "gender-reversed" setting of this film?

The "gender-reversed" Great Ooku is a setting that women would enjoy, so as a man, I had mixed feelings reading the manga (laughs). However, as filming progressed, I started to think it would be interesting to act from this perspective.

Miho Kanno, with her charming and bewitching allure, is truly Tsunayoshi

──Have you had experience acting in period dramas before?

I hadn't acted in many period dramas before, so it felt fresh.

──In this film, you play Denbei, a consort who has a child, Matsuhime, with Shogun Tsunayoshi, but who tragically dies of a sudden illness.

Denbei is a character of an almost unbelievable purity, someone completely unlike myself. However, thanks to Director Fumiki Kaneko's unique sensibility, I believe I was able to portray him effectively. I appreciate Director Kaneko's depiction of pure human emotions. I feel he brought out a new side of me.

──What did you think after watching the completed film?

I felt it was an adult love story, a profound film that leaves you with much to ponder after viewing. It was my first time co-starring with Miho Kanno, and she is a woman of charming, almost bewitching allure.──She was perfectly suited for the role of Tsunayoshi, and her performance was superb.

What if you time-slipped to the Genroku era of Edo?

──Please tell us about the appeal of period dramas.

As actors, we have the unique experience of embodying historical figures we learned about in history class. In "The Tale of the Great Ooku," everyone wore similar attire and performed the same gestures. It was interesting to act while feeling a sense of dissonance, wondering if things were truly like that back then.

──What are the challenges of period dramas?



The phrasing of the dialogue is quite difficult. It feels like speaking a foreign language, making it hard to convey emotions.

──What if you, Jun Kaname, were to time-slip to this era?

Hmm. I have my own ambitions, so perhaps I might try to rise through the ranks, like Emonnosuke, the Grand Chamberlain played by Sakai, even if it meant resorting to some cunning tactics.

An adult love story that resonates with the present day

──Are there any historical figures you would like to portray?

Period dramas allow us to connect with the roots of Japanese identity. It's fascinating to see how everyone dedicates their spirit to a single event and experiences shared joys and sorrows. Personally, I'd be interested in playing figures from the Meiji Restoration era.

──You celebrated your 10th anniversary last year. What kind of roles are you hoping to take on next?



My roles have been changing as I've entered my thirties. I want to focus on acting that allows me to naturally express myself at my own pace, without forcing it.



──Are you conscious of being in your thirties?

Yes. The job offers I receive are gradually shifting towards roles like parents or characters with children. I hope to be able to express what I'm feeling so I don't get left behind. I'd be happy to be part of works, whether films or TV dramas, that will be remembered for a long time.

──So, could you tell us what makes "The Tale of the Great Ooku: Eternal - The Tale of Emonnosuke and Tsunayoshi" worth watching, from your perspective?

It's a very "adult" work. It's a film that audiences from my generation and older will be able to relate to. It's a pure adult love story that resonates with the present day, so I hope not only fans of the original manga but also couples and loved ones will come to see it.