The 48th NHK Taiga drama is Tenchijin, based on Hisaka Masashi's novel of the same name.
The story centers on Naoe Kanetsugu, a loyal and devoted Samurai in Echigo Province in the 16th century. Kanetsugu was trained in his early childhood by Uesugi Kenshin and after his death, served Kenshin's adopted son Kagekatsu. Kanetsugu was famed for his service to two generations of the Uesugi daimyo.
He distinguished himself as an outstanding commander, and was involved in much of the fighting that took place on the coast of the Sea of Japan with Sassa Narimasa and Maeda Toshiie.
Kanetsugu was also responsible for the actions of the Uesugi clan against the allies of the Tokugawa during the leadup to the climactic Battle of Sekigahara. He was responsible for capturing Hataya Castle but was defeated at Hasedo Castle.
He also made every effort to protect the people of Echigo with a strong sense of justice and genuine sympathy toward commoners.
THE COMPLETE SERIES - 47 EPISODES ON 8 DISC's
STARRING: TSUMABUKI SATOSHI, KICHISE MICHIKO, MIYAMOTO NOBUKO
2009 - JAPANESE with ENGLISH SUBTITLES - COLOR - WIDESCREEN