[Tottori Prefecture] Actor Sosuke Ikematsu appears at the historical site of Tottori Castle Ruins to give a talk at the 26th Tottori 320,000 Koku Castle Festival. Ahead of his appearance in next year’s taiga drama “Toyotomi Brothers!”, he talks about his thoughts on playing Hideyoshi.
Tottori Prefecture Press Release: September 29, 2025 Actor Sosuke Ikematsu appeared on the historical stage of Tottori Castle Ruins to give a talk at the 26th Tottori 320,000 Koku Castle Festival. Ahead of his appearance in next year’s taiga drama “Toyotomi Brothers!”, he spoke about his thoughts on playing Hideyoshi. Originating as a mountain castle during the Sengoku period, Tottori Castle was developed during the Edo period as the residence of the Tottori domain with a fiefdom of 320,000 koku. Currently, efforts are underway to restore the castle ruins at the foot of the mountain to their Edo-period appearance. There are many highlights, including the Giboshu Bridge, Japan’s longest restored wooden castle bridge, and the country’s only spherical stone wall, Makiishigaki. However, the castle is historically famous for the siege carried out by Hashiba Hideyoshi. The Tottori 320,000 Koku Castle Festival (sponsored by the Tottori 320,000 Koku Castle Festival Executive Committee) is held every autumn at this historic site, Tottori Castle Ruins, as a bridge of hearts connecting the castle’s past and future. This year marks the 26th anniversary of the event, which took place on Sunday, September 28th. The stage event, held on a special stage set up at the Tottori Castle Ruins, featured actor Sosuke Ikematsu (who will play Toyotomi Hideyoshi in next year’s taiga drama “Toyotomi Brothers!”) and a stage talk (jointly planned and implemented by Tottori City and Tottori Prefecture). Taking the stage, Ikematsu spoke about his thoughts on preparing for the role of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, whom he plays in “Toyotomi Brothers!”, as well as his impressions of the Sengoku period, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Oda Nobunaga, and other figures. The audience listened with rapt attention to these valuable stories, which could only be heard at the venue. In closing, Ikematsu said, “I hope you enjoy this taiga drama as a gateway to viewing history as a story, and as a way to deepen your interpretation. We’re all working hard to make this an enjoyable taiga drama, so please be sure to watch it.” The 800 audience members at the venue erupted in applause. Image
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behind-the-scenes aspects of his role-playing. The taiga drama has a total of 48 episodes. He shared some behind-the-scenes details, saying, “Since I have to play Hideyoshi at a different age in each episode, I have to wear a lot of costumes. As Hideyoshi rises in rank, the armor gets heavier and heavier, which is tough.” In the second half of the talk, he also spoke passionately about the appeal of taiga dramas, saying, “I’m taking on the challenge with the determination not to miss the sparkle of life. The portrayal of the Warring States period is a little different from previous years, with the battlefield being seen as a ‘glorious stage.'” The audience’s excitement for the taiga drama, which begins next year, seemed to grow. This was Ikematsu’s first visit to Tottori Prefecture. After taking the stage, he shared his thoughts on the talk on stage: “I was happy to be able to participate in the castle festival at Tottori Castle, and the audience and staff welcomed me so warmly. It reminded me of my desire to take home the energy I received and make a great drama. Also, although I don’t know how Tottori Castle will be portrayed in the script, I learned a lot from playing Hideyoshi.”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/78201/160/78201-160-eb8b57cb73b3dc196ae828b57da68595-2992×2000.jpg Speaker profile ■Sōsuke Ikematsu Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1990. Made his film debut in the 2003 Hollywood film “The Last Samurai.” In 2014, he received high praise for his work on “Paper Moon” and “Our Family,” and has since won numerous film awards. He has appeared in numerous films and has also won numerous awards. His major appearances include the TV dramas “MOZU” (2014), “The Beginning of the Sea” (2024), and “Simulation: Defeat in the Summer of 1941” (2013), as well as the films “Zan,” (2018), “From Miyamoto to You” (2019), “Shin Kamen Rider” (2011), “Between the White Keys and the Black Keys” (2011), “My Sun” (2012), “True Feelings” (2012), and “Frontline” (2013). He has also been cast in the taiga drama “Toyotomi Brothers!” (2014).
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/78201/160/78201-160-a5d1026c6eabdcf0e32ea22209364f0a-252×356.jpg What is the Tottori 320,000 Koku Castle Festival? This historical festival is held every year in the center of Tottori City, and features a period procession of people dressed as lords, princesses, and samurai, as well as a matchlock gun demonstration. The sight of armored warriors firing matchlock guns is truly impressive! On stage, there are a variety of performances, including the Kirin Lion Dance, Japanese drumming, and the Shanshan Umbrella Dance. This festival allows you to enjoy a picture scroll of the castle town of Tottori’s past. What is Tottori Castle Ruins Tottori Castle Ruins (Mt. Hisamatsu) is a spot in the San’in Coast Geopark, a certified Global Geopark. This mountain, with its steep terrain nurtured by the earth, is the site of a castle that originated as a mountain castle from the Sengoku period. Due to its high defensive capabilities and the magnificent views from its summit, it has been praised as “a famous mountain hidden in Japan,” and Oda Nobunaga described it as “a formidable and famous castle.” Tottori Castle was the site of a siege by the famous historical figure Hashiba (later Toyotomi) Hideyoshi, and during the Edo period it was the castle of the Ikeda clan, feudal lords of the Inaba and Hoki provinces. The ruins of Tottori Castle retain a variety of castle forms from the Middle Ages to the early modern period, and are designated as a national historic site. The ruins of Tottori Castle and its surrounding area are also known as a “castle museum” that tells the history of Japanese castles. Image
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