Entertainment Jun. 26, 2011 - 04:32AM JST ( 6 )

TOKYO —

Following the March Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster, which disrupted plans to film a separate production, NHK has committed to filming a drama series set in Fukushima, which will pay tribute to historical figure and Fukushima resident Yaeko Yamamoto (1845-1932).

The period drama will retell parts of Yamamoto’s life, who in the late 1860s, took up a rifle to defend the area of Aizu in the Boshin War (parts of which were depicted in the Hollywood film “The Last Samurai”). The daughter of a gunnery instructor, Yamamoto was skilled in shooting and would later become known as “Bakumatsu’s Jeanne d’Arc.”

The film will recreate the Fukushima landscape of the era and star popular young actress Haruka Ayase, 26, in the lead role. At a press conference announcing the drama this week, Ayase said, “Ms Yamamoto’s role as a fighting woman sends a strong message to women in the modern world. I want to do justice to her character and help create a production that will make people feel good after the recent tragedy.”

The drama, titled “Yae no Sakura,” begins filming next summer, and will premiere in January, 2013.

Compiled from news reports