Japan's Old TV Drama "Hiyokko" Returns and Brings Comfort to Viewers
Listen to the story
The Japanese morning drama "Hiyokko" is now airing as a rerun, and many viewers are happy to see it again. The show first appeared several years ago.
"Hiyokko" is set during the Showa era, a period in Japan's history known for its unique culture. Media critic Hiroyoshi Usui has written about why the drama gives viewers a feeling of comfort. He explores the reasons the story feels relaxing, even years after it first showed.
A related quiz asks fans about a scene involving a school blackboard. In the scene, the blackboard shows drawings of an Olympic torch runner, along with three small pictures that represent Japan. The quiz challenges viewers to remember what those three symbols are.
Another article, written by Fuyu Kimata, connects the drama to a wider trend. It notes that films starring actress Sayuri Yoshinaga have become popular again among teenagers and people in their twenties. This suggests that young audiences are showing new interest in the culture of the Showa era.
The article also touches on themes within "Hiyokko" itself, including a love story, the Olympic torch relay, and a subplot about a person whose new address is unknown. These elements combine to paint a picture of youth during the Showa period.
Together, these stories highlight how older Japanese dramas and films continue to attract both nostalgic older viewers and curious younger fans, even long after their original release.
Vocabulary9 words
- morning drama
- a TV story shown every morning
- rerun
- showing an old program again on TV
- Showa era
- a past time period in Japanese history
- comfort
- a calm, safe feeling
- blackboard
- a black board used for writing in school
- Olympic torch
- a special fire carried before the Olympic Games
- Sayuri Yoshinaga
- a well-known Japanese actress
- torch relay
- when people carry Olympic fire together across places
- nostalgic
- feeling happy memories about the past
Quiz
Answer key
1. A morning drama set in the Showa era 2. Three symbols of Japan on a blackboard 3. Teenagers and people in their twenties
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Japanese _____ "Hiyokko" is now airing as a rerun.
"Hiyokko" is set during the _____, a period in Japan's history.
Media critic Hiroyoshi Usui has written about why the drama gives viewers a feeling of _____.
A related quiz asks fans about a scene involving a school _____.
In the scene, the blackboard shows drawings of an _____ runner.
It notes that films starring actress _____ have become popular again.
This suggests young audiences are showing new interest in Showa era culture.
The article also touches on themes including the Olympic _____.
These stories highlight how older dramas attract _____ older viewers.
Even long after their original release, these shows still attract fans.