Shiroi Kyoto - The Great White Tower [Karasawa Toshiaki, Eguchi Yosuke]

[Lady Zhuge]

I was searching for the old thread on this series, but apparently it's already been deleted. There's a Taiwanese version of this drama and now I believe a Korean one as well, but I'm willing to bet the Japanese one is still the best, which is why I've finally started watching it. The storyline is quite engaging and dark. Karasawa Toshiaki is very impressive as Zaizen Goro. I find his character interesting, highly skilled and capable, calculating, shameless, but truly pitiful above all else.

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7496/titletn0.gif')

http://wiki.d-addicts.com/Shiroi_Kyoto_2003
http://www.jdorama.com/drama_782.htm

[jade_frosts]

I was searching for the old thread on this series, but apparently it's already been deleted. There's a Taiwanese version of this drama and now I believe a Korean one as well, but I'm willing to bet the Japanese one is still the best, which is why I've finally started watching it. The storyline is quite engaging and dark. Karasawa Toshiaki is very impressive as Zaizen Goro. I find his character interesting, highly skilled and capable, calculating, shameless, but truly pitiful above all else.

There is a Korean version. I wonder how the 3 of them differ since for the Japanese version its a portrayal of the decay that's eating their university hospitals.

Yeah, I thought Zaizen was truly pitiful despite him displaying quite loathsome traits. He's a savvy politician more than a doctor but one can empathise with his family circumstances (past and present). Satomi was the principled idealist who would no doubt be as high profile as Zaizen within the hospital administration if he bothered to play the game. But for all of Satomi's virtues his devotion to his research hampered his role as family man. That, plus a wife who aspired for something more than her husband was interested in. I loved the character studies in this drama even though the pace was slow and some might find it heavy going.

I never knew wives could made such a difference to their husbands' careers with their own hobnobbing in the wives club.

[jade_frosts]

TELEVIEWS by Wm Penn
Daily Yomiuri, October 17, 2003

Shiroi Kyoto takes a very sharp scalpel to the medical profession on Thursdays at 10 p.m. Shiroi Kyoto is based on a 1963 Sunday Mainichi magazine serial that was turned into a best-selling book in 1965 and was first dramatized in 1978-79. That the tale is so apropos even today is a sorry indicator of just how slow the pace of change in the Japanese medical system has been. The medical establishment has been suffering from a chronic illness for a very long time and cannot seem to find an appropriate cure for itself. The 21st-century version of this tale will run for a full six months.

Although the acting is excellent and the dialogue sharp, it may be just too depressingly realistic for anyone who can imagine themselves one day being a patient in a large Japanese teaching hospital.

Toshiaki Karasawa plays Dr. Zaizen and Yosuke Eguchi is Dr. Satomi. Despite their opposing views of the job, they are both talented physicians at a typical medical school tightly controlled by older professors who monopolize the perks and power and give considerably less attention to medical ethics and quality care.

One scene shows a top doc thumbing through a deck of gift certificates that has been presented to him by a patient who, following a widely practiced custom, has just attempted to buy more personal attention. Below these professors in the hierarchy, we find long lines of doctors, all jostling for a spot on the ladder and a slot at the top for themselves someday.

The most ambitious, and perhaps the most talented, surgeon is Zaizen, who gleefully jumps at the chance to operate on a rare case of pancreatic cancer he feels might be good for his career. Eguchi again gets to play the nice guy. He is a doctor who actually sees the patients not as ATM machines or guinea pigs but people with real problems. He continually reminds the other doctors they are not gods but humans.

In Episode 1, Hitomi Kuroki was very good as the two-faced "mama-san" at a posh club frequented by the medical men. She runs her own "operating room" extracting and implanting bits of information in her "patients"--for a price, of course--but the doctors just love how the polite language rolls off her tongue as she lights their cigarettes. She takes a special interest in Zaizen and it is from her that he learns he may not be in line for a professorship after all if he continues to attract attention to himself rather than lay low until his professor deigns to promote him. Zaizen also has a very sneaky-looking gynecologist father-in-law (Toshiyuki Nishida) looking out for his interests.

Shiroi Kyoto will make excellent viewing for those who don't get queasy easily. Three stars. Personally, I'd prefer to board a ferry for a trip down south to Dr. Koto Shinryojo.

[Lady Zhuge]

Thanks for the article. Interesting read.

There is a Korean version. I wonder how the 3 of them differ since for the Japanese version its a portrayal of the decay that's eating their university hospitals.

I may be interested in watching the Korean version if it gets good reviews, but I think it's still currently airing. I have little interest in the Taiwanese version given that F4's Jerry Yan is the star. Perhaps I've misjudged by basing my decision solely on that, though.

Yeah, I thought Zaizen was truly pitiful despite him displaying quite loathsome traits. He's a savvy politician more than a doctor but one can empathise with his family circumstances (past and present). Satomi was the principled idealist who would no doubt be as high profile as Zaizen within the hospital administration if he bothered to play the game. But for all of Satomi's virtues his devotion to his research hampered his role as family man. That, plus a wife who aspired for something more than her husband was interested in. I loved the character studies in this drama even though the pace was slow and some might find it heavy going.

I think the only person who cares about Zaizen the person is his mother. Even Zaizen doesn't care about Zaizen. Yosuke's playing the good, moral doctor again. He's fitting in such roles, though. I'm curious about Yada Akiko's character, who seems to have feelings for Satomi. Yes, the storyline is indeed heavy, not something to watch before bedtime.

I never knew wives could made such a difference to their husbands' careers with their own hobnobbing in the wives club.

From what I've seen so far, they seem to have their own little parallel universe going, but from what you're saying, there will be plenty of intersections. I'm looking foward to watching more this weekend.

This drama won for best drama, best director, and best screenwriter at the 40th Television Drama Academy Awards. I'm kind of surprised Karasawa Toshiaki didn't win for best actor.

[jade_frosts]

I may be interested in watching the Korean version if it gets good reviews, but I think it's still currently airing. I have little interest in the Taiwanese version given that F4's Jerry Yan is the star. Perhaps I've misjudged by basing my decision solely on that, though.

Can't fault you for it. I do the same to.

Yosuke's playing the good, moral doctor again. He's fitting in such roles, though. I'm curious about Yada Akiko's character, who seems to have feelings for Satomi. Yes, the storyline is indeed heavy, not something to watch before bedtime.

Yosuke's cut out to play the good guy. I don't think he's ever been cast as a baddie although I think he'd make a good one too if given the opportunity. I only managed to catch first half of Shiroi Kyoto when it aired here and missed the latter half. Zaizen is quite a tragic figure, come to think of it. Was he ever happy? How many people truly cared for him besides his mom and Keiko.

Saeko fell for Satomi because in him she saw the doctor of her dreams, one who was dedicated, principled and skilled, unlike those under her father. Partly or largely due to that, she became very friendly with Satomi's wife, Michiyo, and would spend time with the family much to the displeasure and anger of her own parents. Michiyo liked Saeko's company as she was lonely and Satomi discouraged her from participating in the activities that the other doctors' wives did. Satomi was appreciative of Saeko's gesture and didn't realise her true intentions but this eventually became apparent not just to Michiyo but also to Satomi himself. Saeko's outlook is very different from Michiyo's, and one can perhaps say that she gravitated towards Satomi because they were like-minded. And in the second half, the differences between Michiyo and Saeko became more apparent as Satomi and Zaizen got embroiled in a lawsuit.

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m86/raven_frosts/ShiroiKyotoCast.jpg')

[Lady Zhuge]

Yosuke's cut out to play the good guy. I don't think he's ever been cast as a baddie although I think he'd make a good one too if given the opportunity. I only managed to catch first half of Shiroi Kyoto when it aired here and missed the latter half.

Since you're a big fan of Yosuke (and hey, even Ito Hideaki is in here too), do you ever plan on watching the rest or is this just not your type of drama?

Zaizen is quite a tragic figure, come to think of it. Was he ever happy? How many people truly cared for him besides his mom and Keiko.

He's only "happy" when he feels as though he's triumphed somehow or maybe when he's exchanging bodily fluids with Keiko, but I don't think he's ever been truly content. Actually I don't think I'd describe any of the characters in here as truly happy, which is perfectly illustrated by the dark, depressing make-up of the character portraits in that image you posted above. It's like they're all pawns in a dreary game. Goro must feel that he owes that manipulative and underhanded father-in-law of his alot given that he took on his family name, Zaizen.

Saeko's mother has a really annoying voice and way of speaking! I wonder if that's how the actress normally speaks or if she just adopted it for the role.



$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/4061/12c9d2ced370260392457eazy1.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9346/19fbd2fded8e4845d6887datc6.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/5887/63345b90bc8ea98da977a4ark9.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6221/2c36628de5fae312b31bbaalk4.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3083/cbeab8ece59eb92762d09faqe0.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1797/19c8ed0380c80c88d43f7catm9.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/357/shiroikyoto2003yg4.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/414/white163of6.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8111/31196240001jd1.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/7613/200603162314050ng8.jpg')

[biggirl20]

I love tis series!!!!!! tis series made me wanna be a doctor, it made me no long naive.. and i like karasawa toshiaki!!!!!!!

i watched the series for 5 times!! and i'm oso reading the novel now.. those who like tis series can add me to msn

[email protected]

[Lady Zhuge]

Yeah, this is truly an excellent and memorable series. I love the intricate, but never absolute character studies, the illustration of that fine line between friendship and enmity, and how things can come full circle in mysterious ways. I finally had a chance to finish it recently and plan to watch the special this weekend. I definitely consider myself a Karasawa Toshiaki fan now.



Interview clip with Karasawa Toshiaki regarding Shiroi Kyoto: http://youtube.com/watch?v=I03olRBZZX4
He talks about the challenges of filming this production and his relationship with co-star Eguchi Yosuke.

Some clips from the series involving Zaizen Goro and Azuma Teizo:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JqE5UBwxNaI
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lt976Pql27g
http://youtube.com/watch?v=Yqf70OEmX9c

Poland special:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wqbYEHiRgWI

If anyone's interested in a collection of all the episode previews, let me know.



$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/4205/14894081039308bp3.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/1627/white531ur5.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img473.imageshack.us/img473/3416/white119rw2.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9107/b1551d3308c931f81a4cffaso5.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2073/white2272gf0.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/8185/snapshot20060416231926yg6.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7148/11441921039308yk7.jpg')

$this->handle_bbcode_img_match('http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/6175/11441981039308vf6.jpg')

[biggirl20]

haha!! but i got all the interview, SP of shiroi kyoto and even karasawa toshiaki, kuroki hitomi, yosuke eguchi, ito hideaki and another girl went for fujitv autumn drama festival 2003's show!!! i oso got the full epd by epd trailer of shiroi kyoto and oso a short video of the introduction before SK was shown in japan.. =) oh ya.. i oso have the video of "the making of shiroi kyoto" & the OST..
I even got the novel!! and im reading the 2nd book..

lady zhuge!! pls add me to ur msn.. =)

[email protected]


i'm karasawa toshiaki's fans too!!! =D

[biggirl20]

i tink tat regarding to the court case.. its very complicated to know who is in the wrong as i think tat not onli zaizen got fault by saying the treatment onli has operation.. but satomi oso as he is suppose to do a whole body check and tell zaizen there's shadow in the lung, not saying the shadow of the lung jus b4 the surgery.. but too bad the sasakis treat satomi as their god..

[Lady Zhuge]

i tink tat regarding to the court case.. its very complicated to know who is in the wrong as i think tat not onli zaizen got fault by saying the treatment onli has operation.. but satomi oso as he is suppose to do a whole body check and tell zaizen there's shadow in the lung, not saying the shadow of the lung jus b4 the surgery.. but too bad the sasakis treat satomi as their god..

While I agree the court case is complicated and Zaizen was not the only one at fault, I don't think he would have listened to Satomi or anyone else anyway once he had his mind made up. If he had swallowed his pride even though he felt he wasn't in the wrong and just apologized to the Sasaki family, they probably wouldn't have sued him in the first place.

[biggirl20]

yeah.. but i think tat in the end he noe he is in the wrong by not telling the other method of treatment to sasaki during the last epd.. he still persist tat his judgement is right tats all..

i'm wondering y karasawa san never get the best actor award.. the judges all blind?!

[Lady Zhuge]

i'm wondering y karasawa san never get the best actor award.. the judges all blind?!

Actually he did win for Best Actor at the 27th Television Drama Academy Awards for his role in Love Complex. It's too bad he didn't win for his portrayal of Zaizen Goro, but then again, trying to be unbiased, I haven't seen Nakai Masahiro's performance in Suna No Utsuwa.

[biggirl20]

Actually he did win for Best Actor at the 27th Television Drama Academy Awards for his role in Love Complex. It's too bad he didn't win for his portrayal of Zaizen Goro, but then again, trying to be unbiased, I haven't seen Nakai Masahiro's performance in Suna No Utsuwa.

yah.. he won once.. but he deserved tis award when he acted zaizen goro.. but the tv journalists gave him the 1st position.. jus tat the judges and the voting part he lose out.. nakai's acting is jus okay okay compared to karasawa san's zaizen goro..

but i tink tat karasawa san oso wont care tat much.. hahaaz!!

[Lady Zhuge]

I watched the special, which is just a CliffsNotes version of the series. There's only about 10 minutes or so of new footage, mainly at the beginning and towards the end.

[biggirl20]

yeah.. its quite a pity bah.. but the recap is nice!!!!!!!!
i tink the 100% bad is prof ugai.. he make use of zaizen and when zaizen is sick, he jus kik him out.. but tis tats quite true in reality..

anyway.. everyone has different views for tis drama.. becoz SK wont tell u the answer.. it require the viewers to think.. =)
its bad tat most of the ppl go for johnnys' drama and most of the young people dun quite enjoy watching shiroi kyoto, its a pity and dey really made a loss (im a very clever youngster.. muahahas).. and i really sick of some of their drama becoz its onli entertainment and love relationship, not much realistic. Therefore i like dramas which is realistic like 14 yrs old mother, 1 litre of tears becoz dey really can touch ur heart. IMO

[Lady Zhuge]

yeah.. its quite a pity bah.. but the recap is nice!!!!!!!!
i tink the 100% bad is prof ugai.. he make use of zaizen and when zaizen is sick, he jus kik him out.. but tis tats quite true in reality..

Yep. Ugai's original "loyalty" was bought anyway. I was pleasantly surprised with Goro's father-in-law and wife. As for the special, I was curious as to what they would do with it with

click to show/hide spoilers

Zaizen having already passed on

, but it was a disappointment in terms of originality.

anyway.. everyone has different views for tis drama.. becoz SK wont tell u the answer.. it require the viewers to think.. =)
its bad tat most of the ppl go for johnnys' drama and most of the young people dun quite enjoy watching shiroi kyoto, its a pity and dey really made a loss (im a very clever youngster.. muahahas).. and i really sick of some of their drama becoz its onli entertainment and love relationship, not much realistic. Therefore i like dramas which is realistic like 14 yrs old mother, 1 litre of tears becoz dey really can touch ur heart. IMO

Ryo's in 1 LOT. Does that still make it a Johnnys' drama? J/K, I know what you mean. This season has been a disappointment for the most part. At least some of the JE boys are talented actors, just too often stuck in typical idol-type roles.

[biggirl20]

Yep. Ugai's original "loyalty" was bought anyway. I was pleasantly surprised with Goro's father-in-law and wife. As for the special, I was curious as to what they would do with it with

click to show/hide spoilers

Zaizen having already passed on

, but it was a disappointment in terms of originality

yeah.. but there's a big difference between the drama and the novel.. becoz im reading the novel and i'd noticed alot of differences between them.. and wat i could say is.. the scriptwriter done a good job.. muahahas

[Lady Zhuge]

yeah.. but there's a big difference between the drama and the novel.. becoz im reading the novel and i'd noticed alot of differences between them.. and wat i could say is.. the scriptwriter done a good job.. muahahas

What are some of those big differences between the drama and the novel?

[biggirl20]

What are some of those big differences between the drama and the novel?

big difference.. like in the drama.. zaizen went to poland while in novel, zaizen went to germany for his trip.. and in the novel, zaizen have 2 children. there's alot of differences actually.. u will noe when u read the novel.. =)