Kaede Domyoji (道明寺 楓,Dōmyōji Kaede) was the chairwoman of Domyoji Group. She was the mother of Tsubaki and Tsukasa Domyoji. Kaede lived with her husband in New York and rarely returned home to Japan. She opposed her son's relationship with Tsukushi Makino and became a major opponent in keeping the couple apart.
Kaede married into the wealthy Domyoji family. She gave birth to two children, Tsubaki and Tsukasa. Before her father-in-law passed away, he had Kaede and her husband promise to take care of Tama until her own death.[3] For most of her time, Kaede lived in New York City with her husband.[1] They were usually busy operating Domyoji Group. Kaede primarily managed the company's hotel chain, The Maple Hotel, which were also named after her. She and her husband rarely saw their children, visiting Japan once a year at most.[4] When Tsukasa was young, Kaede purchased a stuffed rabbit and asked Tama to give it to him if he was "ever difficult." Kaede later kept the rabbit after Tsukasa outgrew it.[5]
When Tsubaki was of age, Kaede arranged for her marriage to hotel magnate's son. She was looking to expand her own hotel business. Despite Tsubaki's initial opposition, the marriage proceeded anyway.[6] A few years later, Tsukasa was going to move to New York but never showed up at their house. His parents were worried that he had been kidnapped. He actually just went back to Japan without telling anyone.[7]
Meeting Tsukushi[]
Kaede tells Tsukushi not to interfere with her son
"It's clear what we have to do. Crush the insect, before the Domyoji family name suffers. It's sooner than I intended, but the plan must be put into action."
—Kaede decides to go ahead with her plans for Tsukasa's future[src]
For Tsukasa's eighteenth birthday, Kaede came to Japan to attend his party. A girl, Tsukushi Makino, caused a scene by falling onto the buffet table. Kaede ordered her son to send Tsukushi home. He refused telling her "This girl is precious to me."[8] Kaede began grilling Tsukushi about her background. Rui interrupted to say she was the daughter of a company president. Testing her, Kaede asked Tsukushi to play the piano. She instead banged loudly on it. Kaede asked Tsukasa "What's the meaning of this?" He declared that he loved Tsukushi, leading Kaede to slap him. Tsubaki soon gave Tsukasa some car keys, allowing him to escape with Tsukushi. Kaede shouted angrily after them.[9] That same night, her secretary Nishida gave her a report on Tsukushi and her family. Kaede then decided to implement her plan.[4][10]
The next morning, Tsubaki confronted her mother about her plans, saying "You're not planning to be as to them as you were to me?!" Kaede was indignant, feeling that Tsubaki should be thankful. Later that morning, she went to the Makinos' home. Kaede offered them fifty million yen in exchange for Tsukushi giving up Tsukasa. Her mother responded by pouring salt on Kaede.[11] She left after confirming that that was their "final answer." That night, Kaede arranged for Tsukasa and Tsukushi to be brought to her hotel, where she announced his fiancée Shigeru Okawahara.[12] Kaede greeted Shigeru's mother and father. She then turned to Tsukushi to ask "Do you understand now, how matters stand?" She answered "Yes." Tsukasa then stormed out, taking Shigeru with him by accident.[13]
Some days later, Kaede received a report from Nishida that Tsukasa and Shigeru were meeting several times a week. She then asked about Tsukushi. He informed her that Tsukushi was not seeing Tsukasa outside of school, but that Shigeru was regularly meeting Tsukushi.[14] Kaede subsequently informed Shigeru's mother about the meetings.[15] Sometime later, Tsukasa and the Okawahara family both requested that the engagement be called off. Kaede went to visit Tsukushi, asking her "Just how far do you intend to go to interfere with the Domyoji family?" Tsukushi claimed innocence, but Kaede did not believe her. She eventually shouted at Kaede and forced her to leave. Kaede was shocked, not believing someone would speak to her like that.[16] She later went to London for a business trip.[6]
Return to Japan[]
Tsukushi meets with Kaede
"The members of the Domyoji family aren't ordinary young people. They have great futures ahead of them, isn't that right? While the master was gone, this girl came sneaking in like a sewer rat. I'm asking you why in heaven you allowed her to enter!"
After finishing her business in London, Kaede went on an inspection tour of her hotels in Europe. She returned to Japan and went straight to her Tokyo hotel. There she was informed that her son had checked in earlier.[17] Later that night, Kaede went home and first asked a servant about Tsubaki, whom had returned to Los Angeles. She then saw Tsukushi hiding under a table and requested for the police to be called. Tama interrupted calling Tsukushi "Master Tsukasa's personal maid."[18] She then called Kaede "boorish" for interfering with the couple. Kaede shouted at Tama until she reminded Kaede of her promise to her father-in-law. She was confused, saying "I'm not talking about doing something to you." Tama then told her that she would be dead by morning if she forced Tsukushi to leave.[3]
The next day, Kaede had Nishida investigate Tsukushi's friends, Kazuya Aoike and Yuki Matsuoka. Unable to go after her family, Kaede decided to target Tsukushi's friends instead.[19] She arranged for a job transfer for Yuki's father and nearly had Kazuya's family's business go bankrupt. Within a short amount of time, she was visited by Tsukushi. She accepted all of Kaede's conditions, asking her to fix her friends' situations first. After Kaede made some phone calls, Tsukushi agreed to stay away from her family. Tsukushi told her that "there are more important things [than money]." Kaede laughed saying "You don't mean love or friendship, do you?" Tsukushi then threw her drink at her and told her to keep away from her friends. Kaede was offended, but did not to retaliate.[20] Immediately after, she went back to New York.[21]
At some point, Kaede set up a contingency plan to keep Tsukasa and Tsukushi apart. She sent Nishida as a proxy to hire Amon Kunisawa, who had a striking resemblance to Tsukasa.[22] She offered him five million yen to "seduce" Tsukushi.[23] Some time later, Amon called Nishida to inform him that he was dating Tsukushi but did not want a reward.[24] Despite this, the Domyoji Secret Police was sent to keep an eye on Tsukasa and Tsukushi.[25] Nishida later brought Kaede the investigation report from the secret police.[26] She deemed the report unreliable and order the secret police to "step up [their] vigilance."[27] Kaede received another report, informing her that a man paid a large sum of money for the apartment next door to Tsukushi's. She told them to go ahead with "that plan;" first having Tsukasa's credit cards stopped.[28]
An assistant later followed up with Kaede about the credit cards. She then left for a meeting, but was stuck in traffic in Times Square. On one of the screens, she saw Tsukushi and Tsukasa at a baseball game.[29] Her assistant said "What shall we do?" She replied "It looks like we gave them too much freedom." Kaede subsequently sent a special force to stalk and eventually force Tsukasa to come to New York.[30] She blackmailed Tsukasa into staying, promising to grant him his "freedom" in two years.[31] When Tsukushi came to their New York home, Kaede said "You have a lot of nerve coming here."[32] She then took her to Tsukasa, who told her to leave. Afterwards, Kaede said "It looks like you've finally come to your senses." He shouted "Does this make you happy?" She simply called his statements "ridiculous."[33]
Leaving Tsukasa alone[]
Kaede decides to leave Tsukushi and Tsukasa alone
"Don't misunderstand me. It's not as though I'm forgiving you, but I'll consider him dead for one year."
—Kaede promises to give Tsukushi one year with Tsukasa[src]
A couple days later, before continuing the merger negotiations, Kaede went to the bathroom where she ran into Tsukushi. She accused her of trying to "interfere" and then left. In the hallway, she got into another fight with the other CEO. Tsukushi stepped in, telling the man that she also "despised this woman." However, she felt that he "regretted [their] fight" and advised them to "make up."[34] The merger was successful, but Kaede felt unsettled. At the airport, she had a spat with Tsukushi and Rui Hanazawa, before finally admitting that she was in Tsukushi's "debt." Kaede promised to "grant [her] one wish." Tsukushi said that she wanted Tsukasa to keep his promise, which Kaede agreed to pass on.[35] After Tsukasa went to grant Tsukushi's wish, he suddenly disappeared and was reported as "kidnapped."[36]
Upon his return to Tokyo, Tsukasa stabbed by an unknown assailant and immediately taken to his family doctor.[5] At the hospital, Kaede saw Tsukushi and immediately understood why Tsukasa had not returned. She then called her son an "idiot." Tsukushi slapped Kaede, before rushing back to Tsukasa. Tama asked if Kaede was going to see Tsukasa, but she had a flight to catch. As she left, Kaede threw away Tsukasa's old stuffed rabbit. Tsukushi caught up with Kaede at the jet. She held the rabbit, informing her that Tsukasa "pulled through" and she was sorry for her harsh words.[37] Kaede told Tsukushi that she and Tsukasa had one year together and then she would have him come to New York. Tsukushi tried to return the rabbit, but Kaede told her to keep it. She boarded the jet with Nishida, telling him to stop grinning.[38]
Tsubaki: "What do you plan to do with Tsukasa four years from now?"
Kaede: "He may be my son, but this is business. In four years time, he will surely understand what it is he must do. I will leave it entirely up to him."
— Kaede decides to let Tsukasa decide his future[src]
Shortly before their son's graduation, Kaede's husband collapsed. Tsukasa decided on his own to go to New York as soon as he graduated in order to help with the company.[39] He later announced on the news his intentions to marry Tsukushi and return to Japan in four years.[40] After his graduation, Tsukasa immediately left for New York. Tsubaki asked Kaede about her future plans for him. She said "I will leave it entirely up to him." Tsubaki then jumped to hug her as she said "Stop that, Tsubaki!"[41] Kaede often sent her son on business trips. According to Tsukasa, she refused to send him to Japan on business.[42] Two years later, Kaede requested for Tsukushi to undergo "bridal training" in Los Angeles. She wanted her to learn five languages and ballroom dancing, and study international affairs, economics, and business management.[43] Kaede was not surprised that Tsukushi had ran away, but was surprised when she found Tsukushi continuing her lessons just seconds later.[44]
Physical appearance[]
In her middle-age, Kaede was a graceful, put-together woman. Her beauty, however, was usually hampered by the severe expression that she often had on her face. Kaede was always dressed in expensive clothing. Her go-to ensemble was usually a blazer and dress skirt paired with pumps. Kaede's hair was almost always in an elegant up-do.
Personality and traits[]
Described as a "woman of steel,"[10] Kaede rarely, if ever, showed emotion. She was known for her shrewdness when it came to business. As such, her highest priority was increasing the success of Domyoji Group, sometimes at the expense of her own children. Kaede, however, cared for her children and believed that they both had "great futures ahead of them." For this reason, she kept Tsubaki away from her high school sweetheart and was against Tsukasa dating Tsukushi. Kaede eventually came to begrudgingly accept Tsukushi, allowing Tsukasa to make his own decisions about his future partner.
Etymology[]
The kanji of Kaede's given name (楓; かえで) means "maple."[45] It is typically a female given name.[46] Kaede's business The Maple Hotel is named after her.[4] After marriage, she took her husband's surname Domyoji (道明寺; どうみょうじ ) which contains three kanji. The first one can mean "path," "way," "street," etc.,[47] the second "bright," "light,"[48] and the third usually means "temple."[49]
Behind the scenes[]
Boys Over Flowers Wiki has 18 images related to Kaede Domyoji.
Mika Doi is the voice of Kaede in the Boys Over Flowers anime (1997). She serves as the main antagonist for the latter part of the series following her first appearance in "The Woman in My Life!" Prior, she is mentioned by Tsukasa, usually to point out how his parents are absent from his life. Like in the manga, Kaede serves as the biggest obstacle in Tsukasa's relationship with Tsukushi. Her personality is also retained, such as her callousness and general disregard of her children. In "Neverending," Kaede finally gives in to her son's wishes.
A version of Kaede, renamed Dao Ming Feng, is played by Zhen Xiu Zhen in Meteor Garden (2001)[50] and Meteor Garden II (2002).[51] Like her manga counterpart, Feng makes several attempts to force Si (Tsukasa) and Shan Cai (Tsukushi) apart. Feng only relents after criticism from her daughter helps her see the error of her ways.
