Bara no nai hanaya

This might rank as my favorite Television mini-series, along with Roots and Lonesome Dove. I had to keep my handkerchief at the ready, through every episode. The warmth, the depth of feeling, the love and the heartbreak conveyed by Shingo Katori, Yuko Takeuchi and Yuki Yagi was inspiring. I'm singling them out, but this series also had a brilliant ensemble cast, capable of playing just the right amount of tears and laughter. The relationship between Ejji and Shizuko was wonderful. Japan has a treasure with Yuki Yagi. She must be Japan's answer to Dakota Fanning. I can't recommend this series enough. Eleven episodes fly by like a warm wind, leaving us wanting more of these wonderful people.