NHK has announced that its major drama project "Saka no Ue no Kumo" will be starting this November. As a result, the currently-airing taiga drama "Tenchijin" will be shorter than previous taiga dramas, ending almost a month early and lasting only 47 episodes, despite getting off to a good start.

"Saka no Ue no Kumo," which began filming in 2007, is based on a historical novel set in the Meiji Era written by author Ryotaro Shiba. Its star-studded cast includes Masahiro Motoki, Teruyuki Kagawa, Yukiyoshi Ozawa, Hiroshi Abe, Miho Kanno, and Takako Matsu. Filming is still in progress, with locations overseas and all across Japan.

A total of 13 90-minute episodes are planned, divided into three parts. The first chapter, which is almost done filming, lasts five episodes and will have the First Sino-Japanese War as its climax. It will air on Sundays at 8:00pm, from November 29 to December 27. The drama will then continue with a 4-episode chapter in fall 2010, and another 4-episode chapter in fall 2011.