15 minSeason 1 • Episode 151
LatestCarnation is a Japanese television drama that aired in the Asadora slot on NHK from 3 October 2011 to 31 March 2012. It is the 85th Asadora. It is based on the life of the fashion designer Ayako Koshino in Kishiwada, Osaka. Ayako was the mother of the internationally famous designers Hiroko Koshino, Junko Koshino, and Michiko Koshino.
Acting
Three actresses seamlessly age Itoko across six decades.
Costume
Authentic Showa-era fashion evolution, from rags to runway.
Production
NHK's obsessive period detail makes poverty look gorgeous.
Mari Natsuki
Itoko Ohara (older)
Machiko Ono
Itoko Ohara
Chiaki Kuriyama
Natsu Yoshida
Akira Takarada
Yumi Aso
Chiyo Ohara
Masahiro Komoto
Eisaku Kinomoto
Takamasa Suga
Taizo Yasuoka
Yukiyo Toake
Sadako Matsuzaka
Kaoru Kobayashi
Zensaku Ohara
Hiroyuki Onoue
Kansuke Yasuoka
Mari Hamada
Tamae Yasuoka
Yūko Genkaku
Masako
Miyu Yagyu
Shizuko Ohara
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Real-life Ayako Koshino's daughters became global designers; Hiroko still runs the house today.
The Asadora format — 15-minute morning episodes for 6 months — exists specifically so working-class Japanese women could follow along while doing housework.
JP
