Massan 2014

Overview

Massan is a Japanese television drama series that aired daily on NHK from September 29, 2014, until March 28, 2015. Consisting of 150 episodes, the production serves as the 91st asadora, or morning drama, in the network's history. The series features Tetsuji Tamayama as Masataka Taketsuru and Charlotte Kate Fox as his wife, Jessie Roberta Rita Cowan. The narrative provides a fictionalized account based on the lives of the couple, focusing on Taketsuru's quest to establish the Nikka Whisky Distilling company in Japan after he studied the craft in Scotland. The plot explores the challenges Taketsuru faced while building his business and depicts the experiences of his Scottish wife as she adapted to life in Japan during the early 20th century. Directed by Yusuke Noda, Toki Kajiwara, Ryohei Nakano, and Hirokazu Ozaki, the series was written by Daisuke Habara. Other cast members include Youko Matsuoka and Norito Yashima. The program is recognized in Japan by its native title, Massan.