NHK Taiga Drama 'Toyotomi Kyodai!' Episode 40: Ishikawa Kazumasa's Defection Shocks Viewers
Episode 40 of NHK's taiga drama 'Toyotomi Kyodai!' aired on October 18, 2026, and viewers took to social media to react to Tokugawa Ieyasu's laughter at Kazumasa's departure.
Episode 40 of NHK's taiga drama 'Toyotomi Kyodai!', titled 'Asahi no Yomeiri', aired on October 18, 2026. In the episode, Ishikawa Kazumasa defected to the Toyotomi side, throwing the Tokugawa vassals into disarray.
When Tokugawa Ieyasu learned of Kazumasa's defection, he burst into laughter, astonishing his retainers. On social media, viewers expressed sympathy and surprise at Ieyasu's reaction, and praised Matsushita Kohei's performance as Ieyasu, according to cinematoday.jp.
In the drama, a letter from Kazumasa read, 'Even if this body joins the Toyotomi, my heart remains with you, my lord.' Toyotomi Hidenaga, the protagonist played by Nakano Taiga, saw Kazumasa's action as abandoning the Tokugawa in order to protect them.
Rumors of Kazumasa's defection reached Hojo Ujimasa, and Ieyasu put on a brave front. The episode depicted the turmoil within the Tokugawa camp following the loss of a key retainer.
Quick answers
When did episode 40 of 'Toyotomi Kyodai!' air?
Episode 40, titled 'Asahi no Yomeiri', aired on October 18, 2026.
What happened to Ishikawa Kazumasa in episode 40?
Ishikawa Kazumasa defected to the Toyotomi side, which caused unrest among the Tokugawa vassals.
How did viewers react to episode 40?
On social media, viewers expressed sympathy and surprise at Tokugawa Ieyasu's laughter and praised Matsushita Kohei's acting.