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earth_colorsNotes gathered for the 2011 SP of Shiawase no Kiiroi Hankachi (Hiroshi Abe, Horikita Maki):
*Click only when done watching the SP - May contain spoilers!*
Of Yellow Ribbons and Hankies...
History. Throughout the years, yellow ribbons have become the symbol of hope and longing for the safe return of a loved one. 'The Yellow Handkerchief' for one is based on a short story entitled "Going Home" written by by Pete Hamill and first published in Reader's Digest in 1972. Hamill based it on an urban legend about a long bus ride bearing an ex-convict returning home to his wife and a bunch of college kids. It was immediately adapted into a 1972 American TV movie (starring James Earl Jones). The memorable hit song, 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon' also came out later in the same year (songwriters claim it was not related to the printed story). (info: wiki)
1977 Film Adaptation. The original Japanese adaptation which in itself had set off other remakes was written and directed by Yamada Yoji (famous director of the 'Tora-san' movies) and stars Takakura Ken. Later versions included a 1982 TV remake that stars Sugawara Bunta, as well as Thai (1981) and American (2010) movie versions. (info: japan wiki; pic: mubi)
Then and Now...
In the movie, the ex-convict Shima Yusaku (Takakura) was a coal-miner while Abe Hiroshi's version was a fisherman. Their respective wives worked as a grocery clerk (Baisho Chieko) and as a proprietress of a diner (Natsukawa Yui). IMO, Abe and Yui tandem had more emotionally charged scenes (esp. the ending) compared to the first one. Most notable difference also was the fact that Abe's Shima refused to fight with the man in the gas station (unlike in the movie where Takakura bashed the guy's head on a car) which makes more sense considering he has just left prison and should've learned his lesson about NOT getting into petty fights.
The roles of the young man and woman who befriend Shima were originally played by Momoi Kaori (waitress) and Takeda Tetsuya (jobless rock band singer). In the recent version, these roles went to Horikita Maki (works at her family's diner) and Hamada Gaku (jobless 'rizoba'). Maki's portrayal of the updated Akemi is feistier and braver compared to the weepy and weak girl that Momoi played. Hamada's role as the jobless drifter Kinya is still comedic (which sometimes falls flat though) banking on his short 'cute' height. Both he and Takeda's Kinya still try to 'force' themselves on the girl, though Hamada's is less of an ass compared to Takeda's.
The Cars: from the movie, the red Mazda Familia (left pic: rurubu) now on display in a museum in Hokkaido with yellow post it notes/messages from fans; at right is the Subaru Pleo which Maki drives in the recent version.
Baisho (who also played Tora-san's sister): as Mitsue (left), the lovely wife from the movie then... and as a lovely oba-chan in the remake now (Right). (Pic: kazzp0610)
Tetsuya (who became more famous for his Kinpachi Sensei role) was the original drifter Kinya from the film (left). This time in the remake (right), he's the town's Police Chief, Watanabe. This clip from the movie shows him being reprimanded by Takakura in the funny 'mittomonai' scene.
Locations and trivia...
Haboro, Hokkaido:
All 3 versions of 'Yellow Handkerchief' were filmed in Hokkaido. The recent one was mostly filmed in Haboro Town. Though the town appeared too quiet and sleepy, the drama looked like it was helping promote it in a way by advertising its 'Haboro Ebi-Tako Gyoza' product; and informing viewers of the ruins of the Haboro coal mines. These mines were closed after only 20 years of active mining, leaving behind an abandoned town of crumbling tenement housings (right) and school buildings. (pix: cbr95810; rumoi)
Abashiri: Shima in all three versions were released from this location, Abashiri Prison.
Yagishiri Island: As explained by Shima (Abe), the name of this island IS really written as 'the burnt or fried butt' (焼尻). The island was said to be originally named by the indigenous Ainu people as 'ehanke shiri' which means 'nearby island' but somehow the writing of it ended up with the strange kanji. (source: japan wiki)
The Bird of Haboro: The name of Akemi's diner is 'Ororon' (as well as the shipping line) which is what the locals call the common guillemot bird (auk family), as seen by the signs and pics in the drama (yup... I thought those were penguins, too). Ororon (named after the sound they make) used to frequent the area but is said to have diminished in number throughout the years.
Rizoba. Short for 'resort-baito', it means part-time hotel/inn/resort workers (clerk, bellhop, servers, auxillary services, etc.). They are mostly needed during peak seasons (summer and Golden Week). With majority providing free board and lodging, these temporary jobs attract college students on a break, freeters, and drop-outs. (source: job-getter)
*Click only when done watching the SP - May contain spoilers!*
Of Yellow Ribbons and Hankies...
History. Throughout the years, yellow ribbons have become the symbol of hope and longing for the safe return of a loved one. 'The Yellow Handkerchief' for one is based on a short story entitled "Going Home" written by by Pete Hamill and first published in Reader's Digest in 1972. Hamill based it on an urban legend about a long bus ride bearing an ex-convict returning home to his wife and a bunch of college kids. It was immediately adapted into a 1972 American TV movie (starring James Earl Jones). The memorable hit song, 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon' also came out later in the same year (songwriters claim it was not related to the printed story). (info: wiki)
1977 Film Adaptation. The original Japanese adaptation which in itself had set off other remakes was written and directed by Yamada Yoji (famous director of the 'Tora-san' movies) and stars Takakura Ken. Later versions included a 1982 TV remake that stars Sugawara Bunta, as well as Thai (1981) and American (2010) movie versions. (info: japan wiki; pic: mubi)
Then and Now...
In the movie, the ex-convict Shima Yusaku (Takakura) was a coal-miner while Abe Hiroshi's version was a fisherman. Their respective wives worked as a grocery clerk (Baisho Chieko) and as a proprietress of a diner (Natsukawa Yui). IMO, Abe and Yui tandem had more emotionally charged scenes (esp. the ending) compared to the first one. Most notable difference also was the fact that Abe's Shima refused to fight with the man in the gas station (unlike in the movie where Takakura bashed the guy's head on a car) which makes more sense considering he has just left prison and should've learned his lesson about NOT getting into petty fights.
The roles of the young man and woman who befriend Shima were originally played by Momoi Kaori (waitress) and Takeda Tetsuya (jobless rock band singer). In the recent version, these roles went to Horikita Maki (works at her family's diner) and Hamada Gaku (jobless 'rizoba'). Maki's portrayal of the updated Akemi is feistier and braver compared to the weepy and weak girl that Momoi played. Hamada's role as the jobless drifter Kinya is still comedic (which sometimes falls flat though) banking on his short 'cute' height. Both he and Takeda's Kinya still try to 'force' themselves on the girl, though Hamada's is less of an ass compared to Takeda's.
The Cars: from the movie, the red Mazda Familia (left pic: rurubu) now on display in a museum in Hokkaido with yellow post it notes/messages from fans; at right is the Subaru Pleo which Maki drives in the recent version.
Baisho (who also played Tora-san's sister): as Mitsue (left), the lovely wife from the movie then... and as a lovely oba-chan in the remake now (Right). (Pic: kazzp0610)
Tetsuya (who became more famous for his Kinpachi Sensei role) was the original drifter Kinya from the film (left). This time in the remake (right), he's the town's Police Chief, Watanabe. This clip from the movie shows him being reprimanded by Takakura in the funny 'mittomonai' scene.
Locations and trivia...
Haboro, Hokkaido:
All 3 versions of 'Yellow Handkerchief' were filmed in Hokkaido. The recent one was mostly filmed in Haboro Town. Though the town appeared too quiet and sleepy, the drama looked like it was helping promote it in a way by advertising its 'Haboro Ebi-Tako Gyoza' product; and informing viewers of the ruins of the Haboro coal mines. These mines were closed after only 20 years of active mining, leaving behind an abandoned town of crumbling tenement housings (right) and school buildings. (pix: cbr95810; rumoi)
Abashiri: Shima in all three versions were released from this location, Abashiri Prison.
Yagishiri Island: As explained by Shima (Abe), the name of this island IS really written as 'the burnt or fried butt' (焼尻). The island was said to be originally named by the indigenous Ainu people as 'ehanke shiri' which means 'nearby island' but somehow the writing of it ended up with the strange kanji. (source: japan wiki)
The Bird of Haboro: The name of Akemi's diner is 'Ororon' (as well as the shipping line) which is what the locals call the common guillemot bird (auk family), as seen by the signs and pics in the drama (yup... I thought those were penguins, too). Ororon (named after the sound they make) used to frequent the area but is said to have diminished in number throughout the years.
Rizoba. Short for 'resort-baito', it means part-time hotel/inn/resort workers (clerk, bellhop, servers, auxillary services, etc.). They are mostly needed during peak seasons (summer and Golden Week). With majority providing free board and lodging, these temporary jobs attract college students on a break, freeters, and drop-outs. (source: job-getter)
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