Yoshiko Tanaka’s “daughters” say farewell to their TV Mother

Tanaka Yoshiko with Kuninaka Ryoko in Churasan

Tanaka Yoshiko with Kitagawa Keiko in Hitsudan Hostess

With her Seigi No Mikata Family: Shida Mirai, Sano Shiro, Yamada Yu

Was so sweet and touching to see so many of the actresses who played Yoshiko Tanaka’s daughters onscreen come to pay their respects at the recent wake. Yu Yamada and Shida Mirai (and TV Husband Sano Shiro) from Seigi No Mikata, as well as Kitagawa Keiko  (who played Tanaka’s daughter in Hitsudan Hostess) and Kuninaka Ryoko (who played Eri, Tanaka’s daughter in Churasan) were among the many guests gathered to say farewell to the late actress. Listening to their heartfelt memories of Yoshiko Tanaka, you can really tell that she was a caring person that really seemed like friend to them:

Kuninaka,  Kitagawa 

Yamada Yu, Sano Shiro, Shida Mirai

Yamada Yu (26, daughter in the 2008 drama “Seigi no Mikata“) spoke with tears at Tanaka’s wake, “We went out to eat together and talk, and if I was worried or in trouble, she would hold my hand and say ‘It’ll be okay’. I learned of her passing through the news. (I thought) why does it have to be ‘mama’… She always had a smile as bright as the sun, and I still can’t believe it.”

Kitagawa Keiko (24, daughter in the 2000 drama “Hitsudan Hostess“) commented, “(During filming) I never saw her with a dark expression. I wasn’t able to notice (her illness). I remember very vividly when she said ‘I’m happy that I get more children in the entertainment industry like this. It’s very lively.’ I wish I could have spent more time with her.”

Kuninaka Ryoko (31, daughter in the “Churasan” TV series) was called “Eri” by Tanaka, the name of her character in the “Churasan” series. The last time she saw Tanaka was when she visited the hospital on April 16th. With tears in her eyes, Kuninaka commented, “She always took care of me and I wasn’t able to do anything. (On April 16th) it was hard to maintain a conversation, but she knew I had visited and smiled. I remember her calling me ‘Eri’ all the time with a cute voice.”

(from Tokyohive)

Thought it was so sweet that Tanaka continued to think of Ryoko Kuninaka as her daughter "Eri" for the rest of her life. Working together for so long (an entire asadora and three specials), they must have been extremely close.

Also loved the fact that throughout "Seigi No Mikata", whenever Tanaka's mother character would do something cool, Yamada Yu's daughter character would proudly say (with a pumped fist), "Mama, NICE!", and here Yamada still referred to her as her "Mama".
Was nice to see her entire "Seigi No Mikata" family at the service, so touching.