Title: 花嫁の父 Hanayome no Chichi
English Title: Father of the Bride
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese
Year: 2012
Episode: 01
Cast:
- 柳葉敏郎 Yanagiba Toshiro
- 貫地谷しほり Kanjiya Shihori
- 向井理 Mukai Osamu
- 橋爪功 Hashizume Isao
- .余貴美子 Yo Kimiko
SYNOPSIS
Hoshino Satoshi is a bullfighter who lives in Yamakoshi, Nīgata. According to him, there's no winner or loser in Yamakoshi bullfighting as it is all about the effort of fighting hard and living life to the fullest. The Yamakoshi bullfighiting is originally a rite as a present to the gods.
Satoshi lives with his father Hoshino Koichiro and his daughter Hoshino Mine, who is deaf and mute. He has lost his wife when Mine was just four years old, so he took care of his daughter alone.
Mine goes to Asakusa, Tokyo on her own. While in Tokyo, Mine loses her wallet and mobile phone. A kind man named Tanaka Maru helps her out, and his family lets her stay at their house until her father picks her up.
Mine and Maru become close, with Maru making an effort to learn sign language so he can communicate with her. Maru proposes to Mine on the third time they meet each other, and they plan to get married soon.
REVIEW
Hanayome no Chichi is a touching drama about the relationship between a father and daughter. Hoshino Satoshi raised his daughter Hoshino Mine well, but he's understandably still worried about her.
Most parents are concerned for their children, but I think parents of children with disabilities are even more worried. Although Satoshi has taught Mine to be self-sufficient, she has some limitations as a deaf and mute person.
Hoshino Mine: Why didn't you learn sign language?
Hoshino Satoshi: Your mother and I decided not to do sign language.
Hoshino Satoshi: Once you're out in the real world, most people will not know sign language. You must continue to live in that real world.
Although Satoshi knew sign language, he communicated with his daughter through writing. Mine's family are also often talking to each other, and there are times that Mine is observing the situation carefully to get an idea of what's happening around her. It may sound cruel in a way, but I think it's just tough love on her family's part.
When her daughter's fiancé Tanaka Maru asked for his consent to their marriage, Satoshi was prudent in letting him know that a life with Mine would be difficult.
Hoshino Satoshi; Let me ask you another question. Let's say, if your child is born with some kind of disability, what will you do?
Tanaka Maru: ... I'll live a long life for him... I'll be so worried, I wouldn't be able to die.
Satoshi was moved by Maru's response and he consented right after. How Maru responded to his hypothetical question is how he feels as Mine's father, and he finally realizes that Maru is a good person who would treasure and protect Mine.
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花嫁の父 Hanayome no Chichi
