Japanese Entertainment: From special effects actor to action superstar

Chapter 585 You Also Have the Will of Fire

Gu Ming appeared on several shows like this, sometimes alone, sometimes with others.

Other actors in the production crew who had roles also appeared on similar programs.

Most of the programs were fairly honest, but occasionally there were some with hidden dangers, and Gu Ming was quite direct.

Cut it off, don't broadcast it!

The host probably doesn't want to get a beating when he gets home for saying something inappropriate, right?

Aren't you afraid of getting beaten up?
That's it, this is no longer an ordinary host, we have to take strong measures.

However, Gu Ming hasn't encountered a host who isn't afraid of being beaten up yet, so he hasn't had a chance to unleash his powerful punch.

After several days of promotion, the effect was quite good. Gu Ming kept the bullet time scene, which is the highlight of the film, to himself. However, other scenes such as car stunts, overseas filming, and winery scenery kept appearing on television.

Hong Kong generally doesn't do this kind of promotion because the local market can't afford it. If Jackie Chan's salary is 10 million, and another 10 million is spent on promotion, then 20 million Hong Kong dollars would be enough to make many movies lose money.

However, if a film is certain to be profitable and recoup its costs overseas, Hong Kong is not opposed to investing heavily in its promotion.

What happened in Hong Kong was none of Gu Ming's business; he only cared about things in Japan.

After several days of running around, Gu Ming was quite exhausted.

Taking a rare break, Gu Ming casually asked a question.

What are the plans for today?

"Yes, Furuya-san. It's an invitation from NHK. The Taiga drama you missed before has already filmed quite a bit, and they're asking when you'll have time for a cameo role?"

What Taiga drama?

Gu Ming sat up straight instantly, and after thinking for a while, he finally remembered.

When they were casting for "Tokugawa Ieyasu," they wanted him to play Honda Tadakatsu, but at the time, Taniaki had to research the Satomi Hakkenden and turned it down. However, he still gave the director face and said he would make a cameo appearance later if he had time.

Gu Ming studied the schedule and called the Tokugawa Ieyasu production team to inquire before finalizing the time.

I'm making a cameo appearance this Wednesday!

……

……

Tokugawa Ieyasu, needless to say, those who know, know. The old fox, the Japanese Sima Yi, and also the last unified monarch in Japanese history.

Well, although Japan's concept of unification is slightly different from that of the Zhou Dynasty.

This Taiga drama tells the story of Tokugawa Ieyasu's life.

As a historical drama, there are naturally not many action scenes to showcase. Historical dramas are serious dramas, and when it comes to fighting in a serious drama, the scenes will not be designed to be so elegant, but rather designed to be as realistic as possible.

—The old Three Kingdoms was shown in Japan as the 'largest-scale investment and most powerful historical drama'.

When Gu Ming arrived at the film crew, it was one of the directors, Makoto Ohara, who came to greet him.

Seeing that Gu Ming's gaze was constantly looking around, Ohara Makoto said with a smile, "Is this Gu Ming's first time participating in a Taiga drama? Although it's just a guest role, it must be quite a surprise. The set of a Taiga drama is quite different, you know."

"I wasn't on set," Gu Ming said. "I was checking if any of those clueless troublemakers would come along, slap me, and say, 'You think you can act in a Taiga drama?' Then I'd suddenly pull off my mask, unleash my aura of the Great Dao, and intimidate them so much they'd run away in terror. You dare hit me? I'm Gu Gu Ming!"

Makoto Ohara: ?

What the hell!
Makoto Ohara thought for a moment, then clapped his hands: "Humorous! Haha, Furuya-kun is really humorous."

He couldn't think of any other word besides "humorous".

As the two walked, Makoto Ohara continued to discuss the play. "Actually, I've been thinking about this too. What kind of character was most important in Tokugawa Ieyasu's life? After much thought, besides characters like Sanada Yukimura, there is another military commander."

Gu Ming nodded: "A military general."

Makoto Ohara said, "He's very good at fighting, and he also has some connection with works that Furuya-kun has appeared in before, so you must be very familiar with him."

Gu Ming nodded: "Familiar."

Makoto Ohara held up one finger: "This person is none other than Yamagata Masakage, the fierce general representing the Will of Fire in the 'Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain' triumph! It is said that Yamagata Masakage commanded the Takeda army in the Battle of Nagashino, charging through three layers of barricades and coming within ten paces of Tokugawa Ieyasu, only to be tragically killed by arquebus fire. I think such a character is very suitable for Furuya-kun!"

Gu Ming: ?
In fact, Gu Ming really wanted to ask a question.

Who is Yamagata Masakage?

Well, that's a valid question. Although Gu Ming was once Takeda Shingen's double, he didn't really know much about that.

To the people of Zhou, Yamagata Changjing was a completely unfamiliar figure.

Of course, there's no need to know the details.

It is enough to know that Yamagata Masakage charged into Tokugawa Ieyasu during the Battle of Nagashino and died tragically.

This battle also gave rise to a famous meme in later Japanese history.

Yamagata Masakage rushed to Tokugawa Ieyasu, but knowing he was powerless to kill him, he asked the Tokugawa army to send someone out for a one-on-one duel.

Honda Tadakatsu knew he was no match for Honda, so he shouted.

"That man is Yamagata Masakage! Beat him!"

Then, under the command of Honda Tadakatsu, the Tokugawa arquebusiers unleashed a barrage of thousands of arquebuses, killing Yamagata Masakage.

He was thus given the name Honda Tadakatsu, the peerless general of the East, by Tokugawa Ieyasu. This means that Honda Tadakatsu was a fierce general of the Kanto region.

Whether it's true or not, this is a story that's easy for people to remember.

Makoto Ohara continued enthusiastically, "I heard that Furuya-kun has a foundation in horseback riding, which is even better. The production team has rented a large foreign horse from Ueno Zoo, which is a perfect match for Furuya-kun's height. Furuya-kun can then charge into the enemy ranks wielding a spear and fall down after being hit by a hail of bullets."

Gu Ming repeated: "A foreign woman?"

Makoto Ohara nodded and continued, "But actually, you didn't die."

Gu Ming was shocked: "I'm not dead?!"

Makoto Ohara said, "That's right! You didn't die, because you are one of the Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain, the pillar of the Takeda family! Even if you died, the Will of Fire still flows within you, ready to burst forth!"

Gu Ming was even more astonished: "The Will of Fire? And it's flowing?"

He became the Naruto!

Ohara Makoto slapped his thigh, almost jumping up with excitement: "Finally, you sprang up from the ground, grabbed the spear and hurled it at Tokugawa Ieyasu with a roar."

Makoto Ohara recited his lines: "Whoa whoa whoa!!! Don't underestimate the flames of the Takeda clan! The will of fire will not fall easily!! In the end, Honda Tadakatsu deflected the spear, charged forward, and killed you. After the battle, he was praised by Tokugawa Ieyasu as the unparalleled warrior of the East. How about that, Furuya-kun, wasn't it amazing!"

Gu Ming nodded.

Yes, it's really cringeworthy...

"Is this a suitable way to film a historical drama? Oh well, you guys are the production team after all."

Gu Ming was determined to go all out.

Will of Fire it is! What else can we do?

He's still waiting for NHK to give "Wheels on Meals" a pre-roll ad!
(End of this chapter)