Onna no Ichidaiki
(A Woman's Biography)
The Complete Japanese Drama DVD Collection (1-3 End)
Japanese with English Subtitles
Format: DVD

The real-life experiences of three famous women over the last century.

The first night retells the story of Setouchi Harumi, a woman with a troubled history of divorce and adultery who eventually abandons her family and leaves for Tokyo to devote herself to writing. She becomes involved in an affair with novelist Kosugi Shingo and with his help she wins a literature contest and succeeds in getting her first novel published. The drama recounts the events that shaped Harumi into today's Setouchi Jakucho, a well-respected writer and Buddhist nun.

The second night follows the life story of Koshiji Fubuki, a woman who lives and breathes music and theatre. As a member of the Takarazuka Revue, she comes to know Iwatani Tokiko, who works behind-the-scenes for the theatre troupe, and the two become intimate friends. When Koshiji decides to leave Takarazuka for the world of cinema, Iwatani joins her as her manager. The drama depicts Koshiji's early struggle as a singer and eventual rise to national fame, and the manager who stood behind the curtain supporting her throughout her career.

The final night follows the story of Nakano Haruko, a young girl with a love for the theatre, born into a family that runs a residence for geisha. After discovering that she is actually the illegimate daughter of a geisha, she strikes out on her own, heading for Tokyo to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. The story depicts two facets of Nakano's life: one as the star actress of the Japanese stage, Sugimura Haruko, and one as a woman yearning for love and family.

Cast
    * Miyazawa Rie as Setouchi Harumi (Jakucho)
    * Abe Hiroshi as Kosugi Shingo
    * Nakamura Kantaro (中村勘太郎) as Kinoshita Ryouta
    * Hino Shohei as Saeki Juuzou
    * Ichige Yoshie as Setouchi Koharu
    * Ibu Masato as Kon Toukou
    * Sano Shiro as Kusumoto
    * Osugi Ren as Setouchi Toyokichi
    * Saito Yuki as Setouchi Tsuya
    * Izumi Pinko as Omata Kin
    * Amami Yuki as Koshiji Fubuki
    * Matsushita Yuki as Iwatani Tokiko
    * Ozawa Yukiyoshi as Naitou Tsunemi
    * Sudo Risa as Yuuko (Koshiji's fan)
    * Uehara Misa as Ota Kazuko (helper)
    * Watanabe Tetsu as the cabaret manager
    * Nukumizu Youichi as the Takarazuka publishing editor
    * Aragaki Yui as Koshiji Fubuki (child)
    * Tanihara Shosuke as Toshiro Mayuzumi
    * Tsurumi Shingo as Yamamoto Shirou (Nichigeki director)
    * Harada Taizo as Abe (Koshiji's mahjong partner)
    * Tamura Ryo as Matsuoka Tatsurou (Toho president)
    * Kazama Morio as Fujimoto Sanezumi (president of Fujimoto Productions)
    * Yonekura Ryoko as Sugimura Haruko
    * Yanagiba Toshiro as Morimoto Kaoru
    * Yamaguchi Tatsuya as Nagahiro Kishirou
    * Narimiya Hiroki as Ishiyama Toshihiko
    * Sugita Kaoru as Tagami Fuyuko
    * Itao Itsuji as Ogawa Yasuo
    * Sonim as Taichi Kiwako