久保田紗友：Sayu Kubota Appears as an Oiran in the Taiga Drama Berabou! A Thorough Analysis of the Highlights and Her Role!

In the 2025 Taiga drama “Berabou～Tsuta Shigeei Kanomu Hanashi～,” Sayu Kubota made her debut in a Taiga drama by portraying the courtesan Matsunoi.

Sayu Kubota’s delicate expressions and graceful performance have become a hot topic, with social media abuzz with praise such as “Matsunoi is too beautiful!”

In this article, we provide a comprehensive explanation of Sayu Kubota’s role and the highlights of the drama.

Sayu Kubota Appears as an Oiran in the Taiga Drama Berabou!

Sayu Kubota has starred in numerous dramas and films over the years, but she makes her debut in a Taiga drama with “Berabou.”

She portrays Matsunoi, the highest-class courtesan of the Yoshiwara pleasure district.

Through this role, she embodies both the splendor and the severity of the Edo period.

Matsunoi was the highest-class courtesan of her time, and her elevated status is evident in customs such as being accompanied by a bald attendant (kamuro) and an attendant in a newly made furisode when summoned by a client to welcome them at the tea house.

Matsunoi is a woman whose ambitions soar higher than anyone else and who possesses both an enchanting allure and a cool charisma that garners admiration regardless of gender. As the number one celebrated courtesan, I hope that the world of courtesans will be brilliantly enlivened by Matsunoi’s presence.

出典：Drama&Movie

Kubota expressed her surprise at landing the role, saying “I never imagined I would appear in a Taiga drama,” and she showed great enthusiasm by stating, “I hope to add a brilliant touch.”

Matsunoi is a woman whose ambition soars above all and who possesses an enchanting allure and cool charisma that win admiration regardless of gender. As the number one celebrated courtesan, I hope her presence will brilliantly enliven the world of courtesans.

出典：Drama&Movie

Her performance has received high acclaim from viewers as she masterfully expresses the elegance, strength, and inner conflicts of Matsunoi.

Her portrayal revives the allure of Edo period courtesans for modern audiences and captivates the hearts of many.

A Thorough Analysis of the Highlights and Her Role!

Let’s take a look at the highlights of “Berabou” and Sayu Kubota’s role.

The standout aspect of “Berabou” is its vivid portrayal of the vibrant culture and way of life during the mid-Edo period. Through the life of the protagonist Tsutaya Juusaburou, the drama depicts the realities of the publishing industry, the pleasure quarters, and the flourishing merchant culture of that era.

In particular, the depiction of the Yoshiwara pleasure district is breathtaking.

Costume designer Sachiko Ito has recreated stunning yet realistic costumes based on period materials.

The patterns and colors of the courtesans’ kimonos incorporate Yuzen dyeing techniques to capture the splendor of the time.

The courtesans’ costumes lavishly incorporate auspicious motifs such as butterflies and pine and bamboo. A courtesan like Matsunoi is considered the highest-class courtesan in Yoshiwara. While the drama showcases this glamorous world, it also portrays rundown pleasure houses like the riverside kabukimiyase “Nimonjiya.” We paid meticulous attention to detail in expressing the costumes of the women who live in those settings.

出典：婦人画報

Additionally, don’t miss the character of Matsunoi portrayed by Kubota.

She captivates numerous clients as Yoshiwara’s highest-class courtesan, yet she also harbors inner conflicts and anguish behind the scenes.

In Episode 4, the line “A courtesan is not a magic mallet” is delivered, vividly portraying her inner turmoil as she oscillates between the pride of her profession and the harsh reality.

“How much money are you going to have me deposit?!” exclaims Tsutashige as the courtesans press him.
Matsunoi (Sayu Kubota) retorts, “A courtesan is not a magic mallet.”
出典：Yahoo! ニュース

Furthermore, the drama depicts interactions with cultural figures and artists from the Edo period throughout, allowing viewers to experience the diversity and depth of the culture of that time.

Summary

The Taiga drama “Berabou” is a work that portrays the vibrant culture and way of life of the mid-Edo period.

Through Matsunoi, portrayed by Sayu Kubota, viewers can experience the realities of the pleasure quarters and the allure of the courtesans of that era.

Her performance, the beauty of the costumes, and the depth of the story combine to captivate the audience.

Please take this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of “Berabou.”

In this article, we focused on Kubota’s role in her debut Taiga drama “Berabou” and highlighted the drama’s key points.

We hope that through her performance, the stunning costumes, and the captivating narrative, you will be able to feel the culture and the way of life of the Edo period.