Do you know Oshin?

 The famous scenario writer Hashida Sugako, who had written so many Japanese TV dramas over 50 years, died at 95 last month. 

One of her representative works is “Oshin”, which was broadcast on NHK, Japan Broadcasting Corporation from 1984 to 85.

Oshin, the main character of this drama was born in Yamagata, the northern part of Japan, in 1901. 

As her family consisted of poor tenant farmers with many children, Oshin began to work as a babysitter when she was 7.

Firstly she had suffered abuse from the supervisor in the house of her employer. 

She escaped after a long enduring.

Secondly she worked for the family of a rice trader. Her employer favored Oshin because of her persistence, humbleness and cleverness.

She was educated by the proprietress, and grew up as a clever young woman.

Oshin left Yamagata for Tokyo at age 16 to become a Japanese traditional hairdresser.

That's because it was said this profession allowed women in this era to gain economical independence. 

After strict training, she became a hairdresser, and married Ryuzo, who was a textile trader.

However he went bankrupt due to the influence of The Great Depression. 

At the same time Oshin gave birth to a boy. 

Ryuzo started a new business, but his shop and house were destroyed by the great earthquake.

The family moved to Ryuzo’s homeland, but his mother was bullying Oshin badly according to the gap of status between Oshin’s family and themselves.

She got pregnant for a second time, but the baby was stillborn due to harsh labor and burden.

Oshin ran away from Ryuzo’s home, and she settled in a fishing village in Ise, the central area of Japan after wandering many places around Tokyo and Yamagata.

Ryuzo found Oshin and their son, and the family joined together.

They started a grocery shop, lived with their 3 children and 2 adopted children, but Oshin lost many things again due to WWII.

Her eldest son was killed in action, Ryuzo committed suicide due to Japan losing the war.

Oshin struggled, and succeeded as a founder of grocery store chains in the era of Japanese economic growth.

This drama described the history of Japan during several decades through the life of a Japanese woman.

The audiences were impressed not only in Japan but also around the world, as it was broadcast in over 60 countries.