Tsukahara Bokuden (2011 TV Series)

Tsukahara Bokuden is a Japanese television drama series produced by NHK. The series, which consists of seven episodes, aired from October 2 to November 13, 2011. It depicts the life of the historical figure Tsukahara Bokuden, a renowned master of swordsmanship during the Sengoku period.

Promotional image for the drama Tsukahara Bokuden

Production and Background

The drama is based on a novel by Yo Tsumoto, with screenplays written by Mutsumi Yamamoto and Naoya Takayama. It was directed by Mineyo Sato and Mitsuhiro Fukui. The narrative follows the protagonist, played by Masato Sakai, from his early training in the Kashima style of sword fighting at Kashima Shrine to his travels across Japan as a warrior.

Cast

The series features an ensemble cast portraying various historical and fictionalized figures of the era.

Masato Sakai as Bokuden Tsukahara
Takehiro Hira as Samon Yamazaki
Chiaki Kuriyama as Mahiro
Kotomi Kyono as Kano
Kinnosuke Nakamura as Urabe Yoshikawa Akikata
Mayumi Asaka as Fujie
Hirotaro Honda as Ashikaga Yoshitane
Toshiyuki Nagashima as Matsumoto Bizen no Kam
Kyoko Enami as Tatsuko Monoimi
Akira Nakao as Hojo Soun
Morio Kazama as Hiraga Tango no Kami