By Chris Betros

Arts & Culture Feb. 11, 2010 - 03:00PM JST ( 10 )

TOKYO —

It’s a Friday afternoon and Nao Matsushita is taking a break from filming NHK’s 82nd morning drama series “Gegege no Nyobo.” The 156-episode drama, which runs from March 29 through September 25, is a big challenge for Matsushita, a classical pianist and actress who turns 25 on Feb 8. “I’ve been watching NHK’s ‘asadora’ (morning drama) series since I was a child with my family, but I never thought I would star in it one day,” says Matsushita who was born in Hyogo Prefecture.

Tall and graceful, Matsushita started playing classical piano when she was 3. “I didn’t really dream of becoming a pianist in the future,” says Matsushita who speaks a little English. “I was too embarrassed to mention it to anyone, though. I used to say that one day I would like to work as a dolphin trainer.”

After finishing school, Matsushita attended the Tokyo College of Music. Her showbiz debut came when she was 19. “I was on a TV program about the Tokyo College of Music and my music composition was featured. Luckily for me, I got scouted there,” says Matsushita.

Since then, she has released many albums, appeared on TV dramas (“Ohitorisama,” “Koi Zara”), movies (“Sunadokei,” “Chest”), radio programs, published photo and score books, and can currently be seen in TV commercials for Asahi Beer, Kose Cosmeport and Eyeful Home. Last year, she did a nationwide concert tour (her favorite composer is Rachmaninoff). This year, she also has a calendar out, which was photographed in Hawaii.

Now, all her energy is being focused on “Gegege no Nyobo.” Based on a 2008 autobiography by the wife of “Gegege no Kitaro” horror manga artist Shigeru Mizuki, 87, the story centers on the life of the married couple, told from the perspective of the wife (Matsushita). The drama is being filmed in Chofu.

“I’ve been reading Mizuki’s books since I was a child,” says Matsushita. “I used to borrow them from the school library and they always scared me. I was speechless when I got offered the role. Even to be invited to star in the morning drama is an honor.” Asked who her favorite character is in the series, Matsushita answers with a laugh, “Ittanmomen” (a 10-meter-long white scarf-like monster that falls on people, sometimes smothering them).

Matsushita says she was very nervous about meeting Mizuki’s 77-year-old wife Nunoe Mura. “She has generally stayed out of the public eye, but I got to know her and found her to be kind and around the same age as my grandmother. I found I could open up to her. I was a bit worried about playing a character who is still alive, so I felt a great responsibility with the role.”

Each of the 156 episodes runs for 15 minutes and are based mainly on Mura’s story. “Being able to continuously play one role in all episodes allows me to truly feel the heroine’s emotions. We have a good team and I feel safe that we are creating something strong together,” says Matsushita.

Beyond “Gegege no Nyobo,” Matsushita says she would like to make a Hollywood drama one day (and work with George Clooney, if she can), but knows she must get better at English first.

A popular celebrity because of her many fields of endeavor, Matsushita posts entries on her blog twice a week and receives letters and email from fans of all ages. When she is not working, Matsushita likes shopping in Aoyama and prefers the casual look. She takes a keen interest in the news, especially the yen-dollar rate “because I do a lot of shopping online from overseas.”

For more information on Matsushita, visit http://www.matsushita-nao.com/