Japanese Drama Review 24 - Hanayori Dango Episode 1 - Makino's Solitude

Makino rushes to her room after voicing her exasperation and frustration to her parents. They are left bewildered while she quietly lies on her bed. She must be a very scared girl after the events of the day. Quiet and secluded is how Makino chooses to spend the close of a very difficult day – she needs to be alone. However, the opposite is true for the close of the day for the F4. All, except Rui, gather in a nightclub. We observe their crass behavior and listen to their conversations – they are reprehensible. It is shameful and wicked. Later, they are alone in a pool hall – they discuss Makino and Tsukasa defends his treatment of her. Attempted rape is not a problem to him, and he justifies the orchestration of it. The three assailants he sent to harm Makino should be left to ‘have it their way’. Furthermore, he threatens that if Makino returns to Eitoku, ‘the game’s not over’. The F4 consider if they can ‘control the future of the’ family ‘empire’ if they can’t ‘control a small school’. Tsukasa walks away in anger.

Makino’s fear, Tsukasa’s anger, as well as the ill-treatment of women are the issues of concern in this segment of viewing. As much as we can accuse these young men of their lack of consideration for women we must also address the need these girls have to be in the company of disgraceful men. What drives their need to be seen with or to receive attention from these young men? What are the needs in their lives for which they should be held accountable? How could we serve them, if they were willing to receive counsel?

What would you say to Makino to comfort her and restore her heart and mind during her alone time? How would you prepare her for the next day? And then, the F4 – we don’t believe they would be open to counseling at this season, but how could we use their dialogue to form a discipling conversation with our small groups.

Our above observations allow us to know this is a community in need – in deep need. When we do not know what our next step should be our most important action is a call to pray. When we’ve prayed, and entrusted the situation and the people to the Lord, we can contemplate the next step.

• Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him (James 1:2-5).

• If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (James 3:14-18).

• Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish (Psalm 1:1-6).

#drama #Japanese #loneliness