watashi wa nihon no drama ga suki desu...

• Zodiac: Gemini
• Bloodtype: A
• Height: 165 centimeters (5 ft 5 in)
• Interests: Watching movies and stage plays
• Talents: Acting, singing, songwriting, piano and various musical instruments
• Favorite Artist: Matsuda Seiko

She was born in a traditional house, and her name is Matsumoto.Her father is Matsumoto Koshiro IX, kabuki actor and head of the buyo house; her uncle is Nakamura Kichiemon II; her older brother is Ichikawa Zengoro VII; her sister, six years her elder is Kiyo Matsumoto. Her mother's name is Noriko Matsumoto. She selected her last name as Matsu to honor her parents. Her highest education is Asia University, which she did not graduate.Takako's debut in a theater was when she was sixteen years old, in Ninjo Hanashi Bun Nana Motoyu (Emotions Inscribed in Seven Hair-tying Paper Cords) at Tokyo Kabukiza in 1993. Her first lead role in television is NHK Drama Hana no Ran (War of Roses) in 1994. Afterwards, she increased in succession the number of leadrole appearances in theater and television drama, becoming preeminent as a young actress.

Moreover, because Shirayuri Gakuen, the high school Matsu enrolled in, strictly prohibited entertainment industry, she transferred to Horietsu High School citing obstruction to her work. At that time, Tsuyoshi Domoto of Kinki Kids, two years her younger, was at the school and remarks, Matsu was excellent.

In drama Long Vacation, which she played a lead role in 1996 following matriculating to college, she became popular as “the woman who dumped Kimutaku (Takuya Kimura of SMAP). Since the drama was a major hit, she began to establish in full-scale her position as an actress. In the same year, as the youngest ever at the age of 19, she hosted Kouhaku Utagassen, making 1996 a year of rapid progress for her. She is also well-known for acting with Takuya Kimura in another drama in the same period, Love Generation, which Matsu Takako acts as the female lead-role in.

In 1997, she made her debut as a songwriter and singer, expanding her activity beyond the acting realm. She has worked with many different producers, but in her third album, Itsuka, Sakura no Ame ni... , she is noted for working on every song (either composing the melody or lyrics) on the album becoming her most successful album recorded with Universal Music up to date. As of now, she released nineteen singles and ten albums (of which, seven are original studio albums), achieving success as a singer also. In other works, she published through Asahi Shinbun Publishers Matsu no Hitorigoto (Matsu Talks to Herself), a photo essay book.

Many of her lead roles in television dramas are in FujiTV (FNN) and Tokyo Broadcasting Station (TBS), it is thought that the high frequence in FNN lead roles are due to the fact that her management office Papa Deux is cordial with FNN and the channel having as its director, Kosan Nagayama, the son of Matsutake’s President.

Toki no Fune, released September 2004, was composed by the Japanese singer Akeboshi. It's very similar to his song A nine days' wonder, the song was released after the Toki no Fune single. Apart from the lyrics and a few small changes in the melody, A nine days' wonder is almost like an English cover of Toki no Fune. The single also contains a cover of Akeboshi's White reply previously recorded on her sixth album, harvest songs.

In late 2004, Takako was told that she had won the Best Actress of the Year by her manager, she was so happy and said to have remarked "I am fortunate to have been born a Japanese". Her manager later said, "She normally dont show so much emotions for an award that I was taken aback."

In July 2006, Matsu and Kimura will star in a special one night edition of Hero. While a remake of this drama has been refused for years, some believe that recent surge of white collar crimes and arrests such as that of Livedoor president Horie has inspired the need for a special production.

In October 2006, Matsu will be in a weekly drama for the first time in over three years titled "Yakusha Damashii" for FNN alongside 73-year old actor Makoto Fujita, a family friend. Matsu Takako and Makoto Fujita in Comedy Drama Asahi Shimbun October 12, 2006 While Fujita was quite excited at his first work with Matsu, she stated earlier that she was quite attracted by his performance ability.

TV DRAMAS

1. Hana no Ran (War of Flowers, 1994 NHK)
2. Musashi (1995 NHK)
3. Long Vacation (1996 FNN)-Ryoko Okusawa
4. Hideyoshi (1996 NHK)-Yododono (the second wife of Hideyoshi)
5. Konna Watashi ni Dare ga Shita (Who did This to Someone like Me, 1996 FNN)
6. Ryoma is going (1997 TBS)-Sanako Chiba
7. Boku ga Boku de Aru Tame ni (For I to be Myself, 1997 FNN)
8. Koto no Renka (Love Song of the Old Capital, 1997 TBS)
9. Hitotsu Yane no Shita 2 (Under One Roof, 1997 FNN)
10. Love Generation (1997 FNN)
11. Shuntoo (Spring Light, 1997 NHK)
12. Jinbē (1998 Fuji TV)
13. Kai (Oar, 1999 NHK), Kiwa Tomita
14. Konya wa Eigyootyuu (Open Tonight, 1999 NTV)
15. Omiai Kekkon (2000 FNN) - Setsuko Nakatani
16. HERO (2001 FNN)-Maiko Amamiya
17. Chūshingura 1/47(the story of the Forty-seven ronin) 1/47(2001 FNN)-Aguri
18. Akarui Hoo e Akarui Hoo e (Towards the Brighter Side, Towards the Brighter Side 2001 TBS)
19. Tokyo Story (27 Hour TV Special Drama, 2002 FNN)
20. Itsumo Futari De (Always the Two of Us, 2003 FNN) - Mizuho Tanimachi
21. Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu Muika, 2005 TBS
22. HERO ( special edition ) July 2006
23. Yakusha Damashi! (Actor Spirit, October 17, 2006 FNN)
24. Saka no ue no kumo (NHK) 2009

Briefing
Katagiri Teppei (Kimura Takuya) is a promising creative agent, but whose attitude gets him transferred to the sales department. He has to learn to adapt to the new working environment, which includes cutting his precious locks of hair to create a neater and more appropriate image. Helping him along the way is Uesugi Riko (Matsu Takako), whom he tried to pick up along the street earlier but was tricked by her instead. Riko does not have a good impression of him at first, but falls for him gradually. However, Teppei runs into his ex-girlfriend Mizuhara Sanae (Junna Risa) who is now the girlfriend of his brother Soichiro (Uchino Masaaki). Consoling him is Riko, whom Teppei likes gradually. Just when Teppei and Riko start dating, Sanae realises that she still likes Teppei…

My comment
This drama is really worth watching. So touching....felt like crying at many scenes! Really nice!!! Such a beautiful story, I LOVE IT! I didn't expect that much, but it surprised me. Acting was great, they were such a cute couple! I loved their fights haha~ I like the end much...awesome storyline! Many lovely scenes, such a fascinating love story. Perfect drama for me!...Unfortunately it is a older one...I don't like old dramas that much, but this is really an exception! Recommend for everybody who is crazy after love stories!

	"Realizing how life can be so sweet When you are next to me Realizing how life can be so sweet When you are near to me"
THE CAST
"I've been waiting patiently For you to come back to me It's been a short eternity Since you've left and gone away"
	SOME INTERESTING EXCERPTS
	"Try keep your head about ya Don't worry if they doubt ya You'll make it in the end Where you will love again"
IMAGE GALLERY
"We can live In a world so free Be true to your heart And let love just take you there"
	LOVE GENERATION LINKS
	"Did you see me cry ( Did you ask yourself why ) Can you hear me cry ( Did you ask yourself ) Will we ever grow apart"

My personal rating: 9/10

* Genre: Human drama, Romance
* Episodes: 11
* Broadcast network: Fuji TV
* Broadcast period: 13 October 1997 – 22 December 1997

Actors

• Katagiri Teppei - Takuya Kimura
• Uesugi Riko - Takako Matsu
• Takagi Erika - Norika Fujiwara
• Katagiri Soichiro - Masaaki Uchino
• Mizuhara Sanae - Junna Risa
• Yoshimoto - Kawabata Ryuuta

Ratings

* All episodes=32.5%