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Program Overview
"+HISTORY" unravels history from a unique perspective. This time, to coincide with the broadcast of the NHK Taiga drama "Toyotomi Brothers!" in 2026, we present a special conversation between historian Michifumi Isoda and historical novelist Masateru Kinoshita.

At the end of last year, both Isoda and Kinoshita published books about the Toyotomi brothers. They focus on Hidenaga, Hideyoshi's younger brother and the protagonist of this Taiga drama. They explore Hidenaga's "unexpected talent," which tended to be overshadowed by his older brother, and the true identity of Ozumi Yozaemon, the chef who served the brothers. Be sure to tune in as the two discuss historical biography and fiction.

Table of Contents
00:00 Opening
02:43 Toyotomi Hidenaga, the Protagonist of the 2026 Taiga Drama
08:04 Reading Each Other's Books
18:39 Why I Focused My Work on Osumi Yozaemon
24:32 The Character of Toyotomi Hidenaga
38:15 The Brotherly Relationship Between Hideyoshi and Hidenaga
42:17 The Diet of the Toyotomi Family
48:14 The Role of Historical Novels

▼Click here for Isoda's New Book
Michifumi Isoda, "The Toyotomi Brothers: The Way of Life That Conquered the World"
https://amzn.asia/d/8KY4yvK

▼Click here for Kinoshita's New Book
Masaaki Kinoshita, "The Toyotomi Family's Chef"
https://amzn.asia/d/8dl0Wyo

Guests
・Michifumi Isoda | Historian
Born in Okayama Prefecture in 1970. Completed his doctoral studies at the Graduate School of Letters, Keio University. He is a professor at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies. His many publications include "Tokugawa Ieyasu: Strategies of the Weak" and "The History of Infectious Diseases in Japan" (both published by Bunshun Shinsho), "The Selfless Japanese" (published by Bunshun Bunko), and "Uncovering Japanese History" (published by Chuokoron Shinsho).


・Masaki Kinoshita | Historical Novelist
Born in Nara Prefecture in 1974. In 2012, he won the All-Readers Newcomer Award for "Ukita's Abandoned Bride," and for "Ukita's Abandoned Bride" (published by Bunshun Bunko), which includes the award-winning work, he won the Historical Writers Club Award (Newcomer Award) and the Seiichi Funahashi Literary Award. His recent works include "Godo Ikkyu" (Shueisha) and "Hisoku no Chigiri" (Tokuma Shoten).

〈MC〉

・Gen Murai | Editor-in-Chief of Bungeishunju PLUS
Born in Inagi City, Tokyo in 1988. He joined Bungeishunju Ltd. in April 2011 and was assigned to the "Weekly Bunshun" editorial department. In July 2015, he joined the Bungeishunju editorial department. In July 2019, he became the project manager for Bungeishunju Digital. In July 2021, he became the desk editor for the Weekly Bunshun Digital Edition. In July 2024, he became the managing editor of the Digital Edition, and in December 2024, he became the editor-in-chief of the video media Bungeishunju PLUS.

#Bungeishunju #Bungeishunjuplus #IsodaMichifumi #KinoshitaMasateru #ToyotomiBrothers #ToyotomiHideyoshi #ToyotomiHidenaga #TaigaDrama