V6’s Okada Junichi has been picked up to star in the upcoming movie, “Tenchimeisatsu“. The movie is an adaptation of Ubukata Tou’s best-selling novel, which won the “Bookstore Award” for being the best book, according to consumers.

The movie is set in the early Edo period, where main character ‘Yasui Santetsu’ (Okada) works with a large organization to create a new Japanese calendar. Speaking on his role, Okada said, “I want to do my best in playing a man who had the support of the people, who lived honestly, and spent his life revising the Japanese calendar.”

Okada will be supported by actress Miyazaki Aoi, who will play the heroine ‘En‘. This is their second project together after 2008’s “Kagehinata ni saku“.

Reflecting on her partner, Miyazaki said, “Okada is the kind of person I can really be myself around. For that reason, I hope we will have many good moments together [during filming].” She also expressed how eager she was to begin filming. “After talking to Director Takita Yojiro, I really feel like I can understand the character of En. I’m looking forward to being her for several weeks.”

Nakai Kiichi will play Sensetsu’s friend and ally, ‘Mito Mitsukuni‘, who’s also the head of the Mito domain. Meanwhile, Matsumoto Kojiro will play Hoshina Masayuki, the head of the Aizu domain who appoints Sensetsu to create the new calendar. Other cast members include Sato Ryuta, Ichikawa Kamejiro, Sasano Takashi, Kishibe Ittoku, Yokoyama Yu, Watanabe Dai, Shirai Akira, and Ichikawa Somegoro.

But let’s go back to the actual story at hand.

Sensetsu, who finds mistakes in the calendar used for over 800 years, takes the initiative to create an original Japanese calendar. However, this means that he must fight the forces that govern the calendar – that is, the imperial court. Moreover, because the creation of a calendar requires a detailed understanding of the stars’ movements and precise calculations without error, it becomes a personal battle between heaven and earth for him. Sensetsu is supported by his wife, family, and many friends in love with the wonders of math and astronomy, and though he continues to receive attacks from the powers that be, he chooses to spend his life in the pursuit of his ideals.

Director Takita Yojiro will pick up the director’s megaphone for this film, and the movie will be begin shooting in mid-August. It’s expected to have a 2012 fall release date.

source: tokyohive