is a 1973 novel by Toyoko Yamasaki. It has been adapted into a film in 1974[1] [2] and then three times as a television series in 1974, 2007, and 2021.
Set in the post-World War II climate of the 1960s in Kobe, the show explores the struggle for power within the powerful Manpyo family. The cornerstone of their empire is, controlled by the father of the clan, . Eldest son is the managing director of . The ambitious Teppei seeks to expand operations of his company, and goes to his father to see if he can secure a loan. But the Minister of Finance seeks the merger of smaller Japanese banks to fend off foreign competition. Daisuke must decide whether to protect his son's interest in manufacturing or to ensure the survival of the bank that he controls.
The series mostly revolves on the hidden secrets within the Manpyo family. A running theme throughout the show is Teppei's constant hunger for his father's approval. However, instead of being seen as a son, he is often seen as a threat by his own father. Throughout most of the series, they are competing as Daisuke refuses to help in Teppei's struggles.
At the end, we are shown why the characters act as they did. Teppei's mother was supposedly raped by his grandfather, therefore, making Daisuke unsure if Teppei was actually his, or Keisuke's (his father). Teppei's uncanny resemblance to Keisuke, and his blood type proves to Daisuke that he was, indeed, his half-brother. This causes the heartache that surrounds the Manpyo family.
Teppei's company is not saved. As he finds out that he was not actually who he thought he was, he goes to the mountains where his family hunts. He makes a final call to his wife. The next morning, Teppei leaves a suicide note and shoots himself.
When the Manpyo family learns about Teppei's death, his mother is distraught. His father however, seems placid and cold. A man then comes in and asks the parents to sign Teppei's death certificate. Daisuke notices that they had made a mistake in the certificate, he states that they had Teppei's blood type wrong. The man informs them that the blood test was wrong. This revelation drives Teppei's mother into a fit. Daisuke is weakened. The man he thought to be a product of his father's horrible actions, was in fact, his own son. He is even more remorseful when he reads Teppei's suicide letter. Finally, Teppei is given the acceptance that he so long craved for.
| The Family | |
| Runtime: | approx. 55 minutes |
| Director: | Yasuhiro Seki |
| Starring: |
|
| Narrated: | Mayumi Ogawa |
| Composer: | Kōichi Sakata |
| Country: | Japan |
| Network: | NET |
| Num Episodes: | 26[3] |
| Karei-naru Ichizoku | |
| Director: | Satsuo Yamamoto |
| Starring: | Shin Saburi Tatsuya Nakadai |
| Music: | Masaru Sato |
| Cinematography: | Yoshio Miyajima |
| Distributor: | Toho |
| Runtime: | 211 minutes |
| Country: | Japan |
| Language: | Japanese |
Karei-naru Ichizoku was released theatrically in Japan on 26 January 1974 where it was distributed by Toho.[2] The film was a commercial success.[1]
| The Family | |
| Runtime: | approx. 46 minutes |
| Director: | Katsuo Fukuzawa Daisuke Yamamuro |
| Starring: | |
| Narrated: | Chieko Baisho |
| Composer: | Takayuki Hattori |
| Country: | Japan |
| Network: | TBS |
| Num Episodes: | 11 |
The series attracted high ratings. Over the course of its run, the series averaged 23.9% in the Kanto region (TBS) and 30.4% in the Kansai region (MBS). The second half of the series' two-part "Finale" attained a rating of 30.4%, the highest rating achieved by a Japanese drama episode in 2007.[6]
Karei-naru Ichizoku aired on KIKU-TV in Hawaii on September 23, 2007 to November 25, 2007 under the name The Grand Family. The broadcast included complete English subtitles.[7]
| The Grand Family | |
| Runtime: | approx. 60 minutes |
| Director: | Masaki Nishiura Tatsuya Ikezawa |
| Starring: | |
| Composer: | Masahiro Tokuda |
| Country: | Japan |
| Network: | Wowow |
| First Aired: | [8] |
| Num Episodes: | 11 |