Fuka Koshiba’s Adorable Charm at Naritasan Bean-Throwing Event!

A shy smile after a slip of the tongue

On February 2nd, during the annual bean-throwing ceremony at Naritasan Shinshoji Temple (Narita City, Chiba Prefecture), Fuka Koshiba (27) made a charming appearance. Alongside new yokozuna Terunofuji (25), kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro (47), and her co-star from the NHK Taiga drama Berabou, Ryusei Yokohama (28), Koshiba stood on stage in a vibrant kimono adorned with many floral patterns and a bright red haori, exuding a strikingly festive atmosphere. She spread her arms wide and shouted “Fuku wa uchi!” (Fortune in!) while tossing beans toward the crowd.

In the Taiga drama Berabou, Koshiba plays the courtesan Hana-no-I, exuding an alluring charm with her vacant expression and sultry deep voice. Known for her natural energy and cuteness, she has usually played roles with a cute image, but this transformation marks a departure from that. Her acting ability, already well-regarded, seems to have reached a higher level.

In an interview published on September 29th, 2024, on MANTANWEB, Koshiba shared:

“People often think I look younger than my age. Maybe it’s because I’ve played younger roles, but I really want to take on heavier, more mature roles. I still want to shed that image of being full of energy and brightness, and show more depth and weight through my roles.”

It seems that she has succeeded in her image change. However, her natural cuteness was still present during the bean-throwing event:

“During the ceremony, when it was time for ‘Ippon jime’ (a clapping ritual), she mistakenly said ‘Iccho jime’ and giggled shyly, with her playful expression bringing out her cuteness in full force,” one of the visitors to the event remarked.

It appears that Koshiba’s natural charm, combined with her acting transformation, continues to captivate her fans and attract even more.