Reach Beyond the Blue Sky — Season 1, Episode 5: Eiichi Wavers
Drama • 45 min • 1 season, 41 episodes • ★ 7.3/10
Episode synopsis
When Eiichi learns how the Qing Dynasty was defeated by the British in the Opium War from a book recommended by Junchu, he fears for the future of an open Japan. Meanwhile, Eiichi's older sister, Naka, becomes depressed when her uncle, Sosuke, and his friends oppose her marriage proposal on the superstitious grounds that the other party's family has an evil spirit. On the other hand, Nariaki, who still cannot accept the policy of the shogunate, goes out of control. The elder Abe Masahiro and Nariaki's aide Fujita Toko desperately try to restrain him. Then, a major earthquake strikes Edo.
About Reach Beyond the Blue Sky
Shibusawa Eiichi was born in 1840 to a farmer’s family. He grew up helping his family with work, which was to manufacture and sell indigo production and also silk farming. He left his hometown at the age of 23 and began working for the government. He later traveled to Paris and learned about banking. Upon his return to Japan, he helped build up the first modern bank in Japan. He eventually became a founder or supporter to about 500 companies and was involved with about 600 public services, including education for women.