Tsubaki Domyoji

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Tsubaki Domyoji
Japanese	道明寺 椿
Romanized	Dōmyōji Tsubaki
Characteristics
Gender	Female
Age	24 (prior to FS)
Hair color	Brown
Eye color	Dark brown
Personal information
Occupation	Model (former)
Residence	Beverly Hills, California
Family	Domyoji (grandfather) † Domyoji (father) Kaede Domyoji (mother) Tsukasa Domyoji (brother) Kiyonaga Narumiya (cousin) Unnamed (maternal aunt)
Romance	Unnamed (husband) Unnamed (ex-boyfriend)
Education	Eitoku Academy
Affiliation	Domyoji family Domyoji Group

"Being from a wealthy family may sound good, but that's why Tsukasa could never make friends. The arrogance was his way of protecting himself against the loneliness, before he met up with the F4. Of course, I can't say I brought him up in any normal way."

—Tsubaki to Tsukushi

Tsubaki Domyoji (道明寺 椿 (どうみょうじ つばき) , Dōmyōji Tsubaki) was the older sister of Tsukasa and daughter of Kaede Domyoji. She was an alumna of Eitoku Academy. Following an arranged marriage, she moved to Beverly Hills with her husband. Tsubaki was extremely protective of her younger brother and supported his relationship with Tsukushi Makino.

Biography

Early life

She was the elder sister of Tsukasa by four years. Their parents were constantly busy working abroad, leaving their children by themselves in Japan. Tsubaki credited herself with "raising" Tsukasa due to them being alone so often. She admitted that she did not do it in "any normal way," referring to the times she hit or kicked him to keep him in line.

In high school, Tsubaki represented Eitoku Academy at Teen of Japan. The contest was particularly fierce that year. Tsubaki ended up winning it since she was the only one able to make an okonomiyaki in the final round. She had learned to make it years previously to make Tsukasa happy. Tsubaki later began modelling in Paris.

Married life

Tsubaki fell in love with an ordinary boy during her third year of high school. Her mother later arranged her marriage with a hotel magnate's son since she wanted to expand her own business. Tsubaki fought against it, running away several times though the arrangement proceeded anyway. Her future husband told her "I'll wait for you to turn to me, whether it takes 10 or 20 years. Then if the whole world becomes your foe, I will be your only ally." The words resonated with Tsubaki, whom grew to love him. They were married while Tsubaki was still in college. Her wedding gown was ordered from Chanel. She later moved to Beverly Hills, Los Angeles with her husband.

Meeting Tsukushi

Tsubaki stops her brother from expelling Tsukushi and Rui

"I think I can entrust Tsukasa to someone like you. He acts tough, but he's not so bad. If you can, try to understand him."

—Tsubaki talks about Tsukasa to Tsukushi

After being away for three years, Tsubaki decided to go home for a visit when her husband went to Europe on business. She had walk home and ran into a girl, Tsukushi Makino, on the way. She was being hassled by a guy, so Tsubaki scratched his car which caused him to flee. Tsubaki then insisted that she come home with her. Tsukushi, however, disappeared while Tsubaki was speaking to Tsukasa. Later, Tsubaki found Tsukasa holding Tsukushi's arm. She proceeded to beat him up. Over dinner, a drunk Tsukushi admitted to knowing Tsukasa. Tsubaki then had Tsukasa carry her to a room. Once Tsukushi woke, she told her "I wish you wouldn't give up on Tsukasa." The next morning, she asked Tsukasa several questions. He became angry when she mentioned Rui Hanazawa, leading her to guess they "had a fight."

That night, she overheard Tsukasa arguing with Sojiro Nishikado and Akira Mimasaka. On their way out, Tsubaki accosted Kazuya Aoike and forced him to tell her everything. The next day, she rushed over to Eitoku. She stopped Tsukasa from blackmailing the principal into expelling Rui and Tsukushi. When everyone began bickering, Tsubaki told them to "settle" the problem through sports. They subsequently decided to play a game of basketball, which Tsubaki refereed. The game ended abruptly when Tsukasa declared "I quit" and left. Afterwards, everyone went to the Domyojis' house to celebrate. Hearing that Tsukushi and Rui had not slept together, Tsubaki and the others forced them into a guest room. Later, Tsukasa finally arrived home. His sister explained the situation to him, saying "If you're a man, I want you to take it like a man."

The following day, Tsubaki told Tsukasa that their father had called to ask about him going to school in New York again. Tsukasa interrupted her to say he "made up [his] mind" to go. Tsubaki was taken aback by his change-of-heart since he had always been against it. She questioned whether he was "just being a drama queen again." Tsukasa stood by his decision, revealing that he had decided to do it before the basketball game. Tsubaki realized he was serious and agreed to go with him. A couple days later, she and Tsukasa were seen off by the F4. Once the plane took off, he suddenly declared he wanted off and started making a scene. Tsubaki had the attendants help her restrain him. In New York, Tsukasa complained about everything which annoyed his sister, who promptly kicked him. She later left Tsukasa on his own to do some shopping by herself.

Teen of Japan

Tsubaki watches Tsukushi during the first round

Tsukushi: "An okonomiyaki determined the winner...?"

Tsubaki: "Yes, there's no telling what will happen in this contest. You've got to prepare yourself for anything. Tsukushi, will you give yourself up to me for the next two weeks? Do that and I'll turn you into an unsurpassable young woman."

— Tsubaki tells Tsukushi about Teen of Japan

Tsukasa suddenly disappeared from New York, causing their parents to worry he had been kidnapped. Their father asked Tsubaki to keep an eye on Tsukasa. When she returned to Japan, Tsubaki angrily confronted Tsukasa for not telling her he was leaving. Tsukushi arrived at the house shortly later to ask Tsukasa for a one million yen loan. Tsukasa consented as long as she agreed to enter Teen of Japan. The next day, Tsubaki asked Tsukushi to come over. She asked Tsukushi if she intended to win the contest. Tsukushi answered "Yes, I do." Tsubaki described the year she won Teen of Japan in great detail. She then promised to "turn [Tsukushi] into an unsurpassable young woman." Later, Tsubaki warned her brother not to sneak into Tsukushi's room while she was staying with them.

The next day or so, a servant reported to Tsubaki that Tsukushi had gone missing from her room. She had the other servants go searching for her around the house. Tsubaki then went into Tsukasa's room, where she found the two innocently sleeping together. On Christmas Eve, she watched the contest. She kept a running commentary throughout the first round, saying at the end "My heart can't take much more of this." Before the second round, Tsubaki expressed some apprehension on Tsukushi's ability to know "what the upper class is supposed to know." Her suspicions were correct with the judge began speaking of an English bestseller. At the end of the round, Tsubaki was very proud of how far Tsukushi had come. Tsukushi went on to the third round and placed second. Afterwards, Tsubaki congratulated her on winning the special award.

Return to Japan

Tsubaki confronts her mother about her plans

"She's very hard to please--especially when it comes to women. If she finds out that Tsukasa has invited a girl. Well... Tsukasa is this family's heir, you see. There's the future to consider..."

—Tsubaki describes her mother to Tsukushi

On January 31, Tsubaki flew in from the United States to celebrate Tsukasa's birthday. Akira asked her to lend Tsukushi a dress. Tsubaki settled on a dress she made during middle school. A confused Tsukushi asked "Why do I have to dress so perfectly?" The F4 replied "Tsukasa's mother is really scary!" Tsubaki told her that her mother was "very hard to please." During the party, Tsukushi accidentally caused a scene. Tsubaki tried to defend her but her mother told her to "stay out of this." Rui ended up lying to Kaede about Tsukushi's background, ending in a disaster. Tsubaki gave Tsukasa some car keys after their slapped him for saying he loved Tsukushi. The couple then made their escape. Later that night, Tsubaki spoke to her mother's secretary Nishida about their plans for Tsukasa. He replied "I'm not at liberty to say."

The following morning, Tsubaki was surprised her mother had not returned to New York yet. She asked her about her plans for Tsukushi and Tsukasa, mentioning what Kaede did to her in the past. Kaede told her "Such things are meaningless in the great scheme of life." Tsubaki later cried, saying "'Meaning' is something you will never understand." Following Tsukasa's broken engagement, Sojiro and Akira told Tsubaki that Tsukushi "declared war" on Kaede. Tsubaki later received a call from a friend of Tsukushi's. He called her a "clown," apparently thinking she was Tsukasa. Tsubaki then went to his apartment to pick up Tsukushi, who remained asleep until she brought her back to her place. Once Tsukushi woke up, she tried to run away but Tsubaki stopped her. She then invited her to live there, saying "Let's get her to realize the good in you."

Supporting Tsukushi

Tsubaki told Tsukushi about her own arranged marriage. She admitted that she was happy now, though a part of her wondered whether she should have tried harder for her young love. Tsubaki then asked her to consider living there since it would be a good opportunity to "settle things with Tsukasa." The next morning, when Tsukasa returned home, Tsubaki tried to make him leave. It was too late though since Tsukushi appeared before them saying "I will work as long as I am here." Tsubaki was against the idea since Tsukushi was their guest, but Tama, the family's head maid, agreed to train her. Eventually, she went along with it when Tsukushi confirmed that working as a maid there was what she wanted to do. In the morning, Tsubaki heard Tsukushi screaming though it ended up being a misunderstanding. She later spoke to Tama wondering "if those two are all right."

That night, Tsubaki dressed up for a party for some guests from overseas. Tsukushi ran up to her on her way out. Tsubaki was unable to talk to her since she was running late. She asked Tsukushi to have dinner with Tsukasa before heading out. A few days later, Tsubaki was overjoyed to learn that Tsukushi and Tsukasa were dating. She was already thinking about a wedding when Tsukushi informed her "It's no good after all." Tsubaki then exclaimed "But it's only been four days!" Almost right after, she flew back to Los Angeles. While away, Tsubaki picked out several gifts meant for Tsukushi. She returned to Japan to learn that Tsukushi had left. Tsubaki said to Tama "I guess my mother is far more cunning than I imagined." She then asked about Tsukasa and guessed correctly from Tama's statement that he had "gone back to his wild ways."

Physical appearance

Tsubaki was one of the few women Tsukasa considered "beautiful." Tsukushi had a similar sentiment, calling her "just as beautiful as Shizuka." Tsubaki had in fact, like Shizuka, worked as a model during high school and college. She had long, dark brown hair which she usually wore down. She had a large collection of clothes, having a particular love for name-brand fashions.

Personality and traits

Template:Stats infobox She was foremost a nice, considerate person with a strong sense of justice. Her personality was similar to Tsukushi's, which Akira pointed out to Tsukasa. Tsubaki was well-known for her hot temper and her willingness to throw a punch, mostly at Tsukasa. Her age made her mature and perceptive in matters of emotions. She was occasionally prone to misunderstanding situations and jumping-to-conclusions.

Etymology

Her given name, Tsubaki (椿 () , Tsubaki) means "camellia," a flower particularly famous in East Asia. In Hiragana, Tsubaki is written as つばき. She and her brother also share the first syllable of their name. Tsubaki's last name is composed of three kanji, 道明寺, 道明寺. The first, 道, 道 has several different meanings, including "street," "journey," "course," and "teachings". 明, 明 can mean "bright, light" and 寺, 寺 usually means "temple". Her last name is written as どうみょうじ, どうみょうじ in Hiragana.

Behind the scenes

See also: Category:Tsubaki Domyoji portrayals

• Tsubaki briefly appears during a flashback in chapter two, before making her first appearance in chapter forty-two.
• She is voiced by Rei Sakuma in the 1994 audio drama. She only appears in the third installment.
• Tsubaki is mentioned several times in the film, Hana Yori Dango (1995). She moved to Beverly Hills with her husband the previous year. Tsukasa misses her but will not admit it. Sojiro and Akira tease him about her similarities to Tsukushi, which he denies. Tsukasa later exclaims "Onee-chan!" after Tsukushi kicks him in the chest, apparently now seeing the similarity.

Tsubaki in the anime

• Chiho Okawa voices Tsubaki in the 1996 anime, Boys Over Flowers. She initially appears in a flashback in the sixteenth episode, in which a young Tsubaki is voiced by Naoko Okada. Tsubaki makes her first official appearance in the twenty-third episode. Unlike in the manga, she does not credit herself with raising Tsukasa. Additionally, Tsubaki's arranged marriage is never fully explained though it is hinted at. Near the end of the series, she openly opposes her mother in the arranged engagement between Tsukasa and Shigeru.
• In Meteor Garden (2001), Mary Hsu plays a version of Tsubaki renamed Dao Ming Zhuang. She was close to her younger brother Dao Ming Si (Tsukasa). After Si's heart is broken by Dong Shan Cai, his butler calls Zhuang to help him. Much later, she returned to Taiwan to stop her mother from forcing him to marry He Yuan Zi (Shigeru).
• Nanako Matsushima portrays Tsubaki in the 2005 drama, Hana Yori Dango and its 2007 sequel, Hana Yori Dango Returns. Matsushima is given a "special appearance" credit for both series.
• She is played by Kim Hyun-joo in the Korean drama, Boys Over Flowers (2009). In this series, she is named Gu Jun-hee.
• Dee Hsu, younger sister of Barbie Hsu, portrays Zhuang in the 2018 Meteor Garden remake.

Appearances

Boys Over Flowers
Volume 1 1 2 3 4 5 (Flashback only) (Mentioned) (Photograph(s) only)
Volume 2 6 7 8 9 10 11 (Mentioned)
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5 25 26 27 28 29 30 (Mentioned)
Volume 6 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 (Mentioned)
Volume 7 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 (Debut)
Volume 8 45 46 47 48 49 50 51
Volume 9 52 53 54 55 56 57 58
Volume 10 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 (Mentioned) (Mentioned)
Volume 11 66 67 68 69 70 71
Volume 12 72 73 74 75 76 77 (Mentioned)
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 (Mentioned)
Volume 16 98 99 100 101 102 103 104
Volume 17 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 (Flashback only)
Volume 18 112 113 114 115 116 117 118
Volume 19 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 (Mentioned)
Volume 20 126 127 128 129 130 131 132
Volume 21 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 (Flashback only) (Mentioned)
Volume 22 140 141 142 143 144 145 146
Volume 23
Volume 24
Volume 25
Volume 26
Volume 27
Volume 28
Volume 29
Volume 30
Volume 31
Volume 32
Volume 33
Volume 34
Volume 35
Volume 36
Jewelry Box
Other

Boys Over Flowers Season 2
Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87
Volume 13 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 Extra (Flashback only)
Volume 14 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 (Mentioned) (Mentioned)
Volume 15 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 (Mentioned)