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Weekly Synopses for NHK drama Junjo Kirari

Week 1 - Eps 001-006

• Subtitle: Dad's Marriage Meeting
• Air dates: 2006-Apr-03 Mon thru 2006-Apr-08 Sat
• Peek rating: 19.6 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: In 1929 in Okazaki, Aichi Prefecture. Sakurako Arimori is a seven years old who lives with her father Genichiro, older sisters Fueko and Momoko, and younger brother Yutaro. One day, Sakurako is taken by her grandfather to a maker of Haccho miso (soybean paste). While playing at the miso maker, Sakurako falls off into a huge barrel of miso. Thinking that the absence of a mother is making Sakurako too active for a girl, the people around Sakurako’s family suggest Genichiro that he should get remarried. Sakurako opposes the idea of her father’s remarriage. On the day Genichiro sees a prospective spouse, Sakurako plays a trick on the woman. After her mischief is found out, Sakurako shuts herself in a shed at her grandfather’s house and finds her mother’s reed organ. Having adored her mother who played the piano, Sakurako asks her grandfather to give her the organ. Eight years pass and Sakurako has become 16 years old and attends a girls’ school.

Week 2 - Eps 007-012

• Subtitle: The Piano Arrived
• Air dates: 2006-Apr-10 Mon thru 2006-Apr-15 Sat
• Peek rating: 19.7 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Sakurako hurries to her favorite pianist’s concert, but it has ended already. When she plays the piano on the stage alone, the pianist appears in front of her. Hearing about a music school in Tokyo from him, Sakurako tells her family that she wants to go to the school. Only her father Genichiro is sympathetic to her wish and seeks how he can help her to fulfill it. One day, Sakurako and Genichiro try to talk Tokujiro, Sakurako’s grandfather, into supporting Sakurako’s wish. However, a mudslide occurs in the city and Genichiro, who works for the city hall, receives an emergency call requesting him to help people’s evacuation. At the site, Genichiro is hit by falling stones and taken to a hospital.

Week 3 - Eps 013-018

• Subtitle: Prelude to Love
• Air dates: 2006-Apr-17 Mon thru 2006-Apr-22 Sat
• Peek rating: 18.5 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Having lost the father, the Arimori family faces financial difficulties. Momoko decides to marry the man she was introduced at an arranged marriage meeting, having his promise that his family will provide financial support for Sakurako’s and Yutaro’s school expenses. Meanwhile, Sakurako asks her music teacher at school to coach her for the entrance examination of the music school in Tokyo, but the teacher refuses. To increase the family income, the Arimori family decides to take in a lodger.

Week 4 - Eps 019-024

• Subtitle: A Sudden Marriage Proposal
• Air dates: 2006-Apr-24 Mon thru 2006-Apr-29 Sat
• Peek rating: 19.9 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: In the summer of 1937, Sakurako visits her sister Momoko in Nagoya, accompanied by the lodger Saito. Seeing Momoko ill-treated by her husband, Sakurako tries to take her back but Momoko has the two go home. One day, Sakurako happens to find a picture of a woman in Saito’s room. Having become fond of Saito, Sakurako is disappointed to find that he had an arranged marriage meeting.

Week 5 - Eps 025-030

• Subtitle: Fateful Parting of the Ways
• Air dates: 2006-May-01 Mon thru 2006-May-06 Sat
• Peek rating: 19.6 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Hearing from Fueko that Saito also likes Sakurako, Sakurako is surprised and feels happy. The family members suggest to Sakurako that she should get married with Saito, but Sakurako hesitates because of her dream to go to music school in Tokyo. As Saito tells her that she can go to the school from his parents’ house in Tokyo, the two get engaged. One day, however, Saito rushes to his home in Tokyo after receiving a telegram. When he returns, he asks Sakurako to break off their engagement.

Week 6 - Eps 031-036

• Subtitle: Sakura Blossoms?
• Air dates: 2006-May-08 Mon thru 2006-May-13 Sat
• Peek rating: 20.1 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: In March 1938, Sakurako goes to Tokyo with her childhood friend Matsui Tatsuhiko to take an entrance examination for the music school. As soon as they arrive in Tokyo, they have their bags stolen. Losing all the money they had, the two end up staying at an old apartment where a painter they have just met lives. Both Sakurako and Tatsuhiko pass the first and second stage tests. On the day when the final examination is held, Sakurako gets injured and arrives late for the test.

Week 7 - Eps 037-042

• Subtitle: Don't Be Afraid of Being Poor
• Air dates: 2006-May-15 Mon thru 2006-May-20 Sat
• Peek rating: 19.4 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Having decided to apply to the music school again next year, Sakurako remains in Tokyo staying at the old apartment. She starts receiving lessons from her favorite pianist Saionji while working at the apartment and a diner. One day, her neighbor Togo Sugi takes Sakurako to a dance hall, where she sees a live performance of a jazz band for the first time.

Week 8 - Eps 043-048

• Subtitle: First Four-Hand Performance
• Air dates: 2006-May-22 Mon thru 2006-May-27 Sat
• Peek rating: 18.8 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Being worried to hear that Sakurako often goes to a dance hall, Fueko comes to Tokyo to see her. While waiting for Sakurako to return home after work, Fueko hears from Tatsuhiko Sakurako’s efforts to stay in Tokyo. Recognizing the importance for Sakurako to learn at the music school, Fueko changes her mind and finally approves Sakurako’s decision to apply to the school again. Summer comes. One day, Sakurako runs into her old friend from girl’s school, who tells her about her former fiance Saito.

Week 9 - Eps 049-054

• Subtitle: Tonight, I Will Dance With You
• Air dates: 2006-May-29 Mon thru 2006-Jun-03 Sat
• Peek rating: 20.5 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Kane, Tatsuhiko’s mother, suddenly comes to see Tatsuhiko at the apartment where he and Sakurako live. Kane is opposed to Tatsuhiko’s dream to become a musician since he is the only son and successor of the family’s miso-making business. She turns down Saionji’s invitation for Tatsuhiko to accompany him for a concert tour in Germany. The next day, Tatsuhiko’s father Takuji also comes to Tokyo. Takuji sends Kane back to Okazaki and encourages Tatsuhiko to pursue his dream. Some weeks later, however, a telegram comes to tell Tatsuhiko that Takuji is in a critical condition. Tatsuhiko rushes to his home in Okazaki and Sakurako also goes back to her hometown.

Week 10 - Eps 055-060

• Subtitle: Farewell, Summer
• Air dates: 2006-Jun-05 Mon thru 2006-Jun-10 Sat
• Peek rating: 19.5 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Sakurako is shocked to hear Tatsuhiko say he has decided to quit the music school in order to take over the family business. Though the two keep seeing each other and promise to exchange letters, the people around them object to their being together. Meanwhile, Togo Sugi, a young painter who lives at the same apartment where Sakurako lives in Tokyo, suddenly comes to Okazaki and stays at the Arimori family’s house. The summer ends and Sakurako heads back to Tokyo, having talked with Tatsuhiko and decided to live for the future.

Week 11 - Eps 061-066

• Subtitle: Cupid's Desire
• Air dates: 2006-Jun-12 Mon thru 2006-Jun-17 Sat
• Peek rating: 20.2 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Soon after Sakurako returns to Tokyo, a woman named Shimako, who claims herself as Togo’s fiancee, comes to the Arimori family’s house in Okazaki and Togo leaves there as if to flee from her. Hearing about that incident, Sakurako is worried about Fueko whom she has thought makes a good couple with Togo. When Togo comes back to Tokyo, Sakurako questions him closely about his relationship with Shimako.

Week 12 - Eps 067-072

• Subtitle: A Test of Family Bonds
• Air dates: 2006-Jun-19 Mon thru 2006-Jun-24 Sat
• Peek rating: 19.6 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Sakurako passes the music school entrance examination at the second attempt. To prepare for the school, she goes back to her home in Okazaki. Around that time, Fueko faces the problem of losing her job as a teacher at a girl’s school because of Togo whom she is going to marry. Sakurako urges her sister to get married even though she has to quit the school but Fueko does not listen to her, saying she is responsible for earning money for Sakurako’s and their younger brother’s school fees.

Week 13 - Eps 073-078

• Subtitle: Now is All I Have
• Air dates: 2006-Jun-26 Mon thru 2006-Jul-1 Sat
• Peek rating: 23.0 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: A year has passed since Fueko and Togo got married. Sakurako works all day long to support her family. Thinking that a marriage to him would enable Sakurako to keep doing music, Tatsuhiko asks Sakurako to marry him. Sakurako hesitates to accept his proposal since she has no confidence to handle the miso-making business as his wife. On the night, Tatsuhiko receives a notice calling him up for military service. Sakurako goes to see Tatsuhiko and asks him to marry her but Tatsuhiko withdraws his proposal.

Week 14 - Eps 079-084

• Subtitle: The Trial of Wakaokami
• Air dates: 2006-Jul-3 Mon thru 2006-Jul-08 Sat
• Peek rating: 21.2 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Getting engaged to Tatsuhiko, Sakurako starts to be trained at the miso maker as the preparation to marry into Tatsuhiko’s family. Tatsuhiko’s old nanny strictly coaches her from morning until night. One day, Sakurako is assigned to help the nanny prepare dishes to entertain a Diet member.

Week 15 - Eps 085-090

• Subtitle: Farewell Concerto
• Air dates: 2006-Jul-10 Mon thru 2006-Jul-15 Sat
• Peek rating: 20.5 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Sakurako receives a letter from her music teacher Saionji, which invites her to study composition in Tokyo. The invitation appeals to her but Sakurako decides to remain in Okazaki. In the meantime, Fueko fears that Togo wants to go back to Tokyo. One day, Togo’s friends come to Okazaki and ask Togo to return to Tokyo to be the head of a new art group. Togo declines their request, caring about his pregnant wife. However, Fueko, now hoping that Togo will be a top artist, suggests going to Tokyo.

Week 16 - Eps 091-096

• Subtitle: Iso's Secret
• Air dates: 2006-Jul-17 Mon thru 2006-Jul-22 Sat
• Peek rating: 22.3 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Sakurako goes to Tokyo to help Fueko, hearing that her pregnant sister is busy taking care of her husband and his friends. When Fueko goes into labor, Sakurako panics but together with her aunt Iso, who has just arrived from Okazaki, she helps Fueko give birth to a baby boy. Meanwhile, Iso finds that one of Togo’s art fellows is her son whom she has been separated from for a long time.

Week 17 - Eps 097-102

• Subtitle: I Won't Give Up Hope
• Air dates: 2006-Jul-24 Mon thru 2006-Jul-29 Sat
• Peek rating: 19.8 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Sakurako and her siblings are worried that Fueko’s newborn baby has abnormalities of the eyes. A close examination is needed for the diagnosis but the family cannot afford it since Togo’s paintings have not sold well. Fueko begins working while taking care of the baby. Seeing his wife’s struggle, Togo also decides to work to earn enough money and finds a physical labor job with the help of Sakurako. Meanwhile, Sakurako’s music teacher comes to see her before he leaves for Manchuria.

Week 18 - Eps 103-108

• Subtitle: I'll Play the Piano Again Someday
• Air dates: 2006-Jul-31 Mon thru 2006-Aug-5 Sat
• Peek rating: 19.8 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Sakurako starts assisting Akiyama, a musician she has known since her earlier days in Tokyo, in arranging music for radio. One day, the head of the neighborhood association storms in to Sakurako’s apartment. He is furious about the sounds of the piano from the apartment and commands the residents to provide the wires of their piano to the government as wartime compulsory delivery. Sakurako and her neighbors try to show him the lure of the instrument, all to no avail.

Week 19 - Eps 109-114

• Subtitle: Chopin for My Mother
• Air dates: 2006-Aug-7 Mon thru 2006-Aug-12 Sat
• Peek rating: 21.8 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Sakurako comes back to Okazaki and starts to work again at the miso maker that Tatsuhiko’s family runs. She learns that while she was away in Tokyo, Tatsuhiko’s aunt and her husband have expanded their influence on the family business and household. One day, it turns out that some of the miso barrels are missing. Sakurako keeps a watch on the miso cellar with a veteran worker to find out who steals them.

Week 20 - Eps 115-120

• Subtitle: Tired of Waiting for Spring to Come
• Air dates: 2006-Aug-14 Mon thru 2006-Aug-19 Sat
• Peek rating: 22.6 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Sakurako manages the miso maker while nursing Tatsuhiko’s mother Kane, who has been ill in bed. In the summer of 1944, Sakurako’s brother Yutaro comes back to Okazaki from Tokyo to prepare for joining the military. Yutaro wants to take his favorite book written in German with him, but he cannot. Seeing her brother disappointed, Sakurako spends the entire night transcribing the book into a notebook for him. In February 1945, Kane breathes her last. Sakurako makes every effort to manage the miso-making business but Tatsuhiko’s aunt and uncle hinder her. She decides to step aside from the family business and returns to her home in the despair of losing both Tatsuhiko and Kane. One day, Togo suddenly visits the Arimori family.

Week 21 - Eps 121-126

• Subtitle: The Joy of Living
• Air dates: 2006-Aug-21 Mon thru 2006-Aug-26 Sat
• Peek rating: 20.6 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Having heard the news on the radio that Tokyo was air raided, Sakurako and Iso come to the city. Sakurako looks for Togo, who has been missing, and finds him under the debris of a collapsed house. She manages to rescue him but Togo suffers grave injuries to his legs and hovers between life and death. Some days later, Togo recovers consciousness. The family members go back to Okazaki, except Momoko who is decided to help injured people in Tokyo.

Week 22 - Eps 007-012

• Subtitle: More Than Goodbye
• Air dates: 2006-Aug-28 Mon thru 2006-Sep-2 Sat
• Peek rating: 21.0 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Sakurako starts working at a school in Okazaki as a clerk. One day, she finds a pupil stealing someone’s lunch. Getting to know the children who have evacuated from cities to Okazaki without their parents, Sakurako comes up with the idea to encourage them with "kamishibai," storytelling with pictures. She asks Togo to lend her a hand and it helps Togo, who has been unable to draw pictures since the air raid, gradually overcome the traumatic experience. Meanwhile, Sakurako is offered a job as a teacher at a school far away from her home.

Week 23 - Eps 133-138

• Subtitle: An Unexpected Homecoming
• Air dates: 2006-Sep-4 Mon thru 2006-Sep-9 Sat
• Peek rating: 21.7 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: The war has ended. In February, 1946, Sakurako becomes a teacher for the school at which she has worked as a clerk during wartime. One day, Akiyama visits Sakurako and asks her to join his jazz band as a pianist. Sakurako declines the offer because she is happy to teach children music, but agrees to play with them for just one performance in Nagoya. The next day is the first anniversary of Kane’s death and Sakurako visits Tatsuhiko’s home after a long time.

Week 24 - Eps 139-144

• Subtitle: As Long as You Are Here
• Air dates: 2006-Sep-11 Mon thru 2006-Sep-16 Sat
• Peek rating: 22.9 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: Tatsuhiko comes back alive from the front, yet suffers from mental aftershocks of the war. Sakurako’s support helps him recover little by little. Meanwhile, Sakurako loses the job as a substitute teacher since teachers have returned to the school discharged from military service. The day comes when Sakurako joins Akiyama’s jazz band for one time at a concert in Nagoya. Tatsuhiko stays at home instead of going to see her performance, unable to be sure that he is a desirable partner for her. However, advised by Togo to reward Sakurako for her support and finding Sakurako’s devotion to his late mother while he was away, Tatsuhiko rushes to Nagoya.

Week 25 - Eps 145-150

• Subtitle: I Dreamed of a Concert
• Air dates: 2006-Sep-18 Mon thru 2006-Sep-23 Sat
• Peek rating: 24.2 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: In April 1946, Sakurako and Tatsuhiko marry. A year has passed. One day, moved by a piece of music Sakurako wrote, Tatsuhiko asks her former music teacher Saionji to arrange an opportunity to make her music known to the public. Saionji agrees to Tatsuhiko’s idea with one condition—Sakurako herself plays the melody on the piano.

Final week - Eps 151-156

• Subtitle: Life, Shining
• Air dates: 2006-Sep-25 Mon thru 2006-Sep-30 Sat
• Peek rating: 21.8 (Kanto)
• Synopsis: At a hospital, Sakurako is diagnosed with a serious disease. Caring about the baby she is carrying, Sakurako makes up her mind to cancel her concert. Tatsuhiko is worried about his wife, hearing from the doctor that childbirth would harm the mother’s health. As Sakurako’s condition is getting worse, Tatsuhiko begs her to give up having a child. His request shocks Sakurako and she loses her vigor. Advised by Iso, Tatsuhiko consults the doctor this time together with Sakurako and he decides to support Sakurako’s will to give birth to the baby.