Yae's Sakura (2013)
The 52nd NHK taiga drama, tracing the extraordinary life of Niijima Yae from the Bakumatsu wars to the Meiji era.
Yae's Sakura - Series Information
- Original Title: 八重の桜
- First Air Year: 2013
- Last Air Year: 2013
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (45 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 50
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: NHK BS1, NHK G, NHK BS Premium, NHK
- Alternative Titles: Joana d'Arc do Bakumatsu (PT), Yae no Sakura (JP)
- Production Companies: NHK
- Production Countries: Japan
Yae's Sakura - Plot
Yae no Sakura is a 2013 Japanese television series. It is the 52nd NHK taiga drama. The story focuses on Niijima Yae, who is portrayed by Haruka Ayase.
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Yae's Sakura - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Haruka Ayase
- Hidetoshi Nishijima
- Jun Fubuki
- Yutaka Matsushige
- Joe Odagiri
- Eiji Okuda
- Izumi Inamori
- Toshiyuki Nishida
- Go Ayano
- Kyoko Hasegawa
Writers
- Mutsumi Yamamoto
Yae's Sakura - FAQs
Is Yae's Sakura based on a true story?
Yae's Sakura is rooted in history. It dramatizes the life of Niijima Yae, a real figure who lived through Japan's Bakumatsu upheaval and Meiji transformation. Known for her skill with firearms during the Boshin War and later her humanitarian work, Yae's extraordinary life provided rich material for this NHK taiga drama.
What is the 52nd NHK taiga drama about?
Yae's Sakura chronicles the life of Niijima Yae across two defining chapters of Japanese history — the turbulent Bakumatsu period and the modernizing Meiji era. From wielding a rifle in Aizuwakamatsu's last stand to becoming a pioneering educator and nurse in Kyoto, Yae's journey is one of resilience and reinvention.
Who plays Niijima Yae in Yae's Sakura?
Haruka Ayase takes on the lead role of Niijima Yae, delivering a performance that spans decades of the character's life. Ayase is joined by a distinguished ensemble including Hidetoshi Nishijima, Joe Odagiri as Joseph Hardy Neesima, Go Ayano as Katamori Matsudaira, and Toshiyuki Nishida as Tanomo Saigo.
Where can you stream Yae's Sakura?
Streaming availability for Yae's Sakura varies by region. For the most up-to-date viewing options — including subscription services, rental, and purchase platforms available where you are — JustWatch is the best place to check current listings.
What historical period does Yae's Sakura cover?
The series spans two pivotal eras in Japanese history: the Bakumatsu period of the 1860s, marked by the collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate and fierce civil conflict, and the Meiji era that followed, during which Japan rapidly modernized. Aizuwakamatsu's tragic role in the Boshin War is a central dramatic thread.
How many episodes does Yae's Sakura have?
Yae's Sakura ran for 50 episodes across its single season, airing throughout 2013 on NHK. As is traditional for taiga dramas, the series aired weekly over the course of a full year, giving the story ample room to trace Yae's life from the Edo period through Japan's Meiji transformation.
What is a taiga drama and why does it matter?
NHK's taiga dramas are Japan's most prestigious annual historical television event, airing since 1963. Each year-long series dramatizes a significant figure or era from Japanese history with high production values and an all-star cast. Yae's Sakura, as the 52nd installment, carries that tradition of ambitious, sweeping historical storytelling.
What are similar shows to Yae's Sakura?
Fans of Yae's Sakura will likely enjoy other Japanese historical dramas such as Shōgun (2024), Jin (2009), and Hakuoki (2010) for their Edo and Meiji-era settings. The Apothecary Diaries (2023) and Ooku: The Beginning (2012) also offer compelling female-led narratives set against richly detailed historical backdrops.
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