Original subtitles

NARRATOR: The 16th century.

In England, it was the Elizabethan age.

In Japan, a time of brutal civil war.

The time of the samurai.

The country had been torn apart as powerful clans

fought each other for supremacy.

Each warlord had his own private army of samurai,

Japanese knights, dedicated to battle and honour

and loyal to the death.

This is the story of the greatest samurai general of them all.

His achievements would match those of Caesar and Napoleon.

He'd found a dynasty that would rule Japan for 250 years,

(SHOUTS)

and whose ruthless philosophy would shape it until our modern age.

And at the biggest battle in samurai history,

he would gamble everything

in one of the most bizarre military decisions ever made.

NAOMASA: He will kill us all.

Then what have we got to lose?

NARRATOR: His name was Tokugawa Ieyasu.

And he was to become the shogun.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

IEYASU: The way of the warrior says I have no designs.

I make seizing the opportunity my design.

The way of the warrior says I have no principles.

I make adaptability my principle.

This is how I followed the way of the warrior.

Seize the opportunity and the power.

It all began with a child.

(TAIKO GASPING)

My Lord, The Taiko has asked for you.

NARRATOR: On the 18th of September, 1598,

the eyes ofJapan were on a six-year-old boy.

His father, the country's supreme ruler, known as The Taiko,

Iay dying.

Among the nobles present, Ishida Mitsunari,

The Taiko's loyal minister,

and Tokugawa Ieyasu, the country's most powerful warlord.

The rivalry between these two men would shape the future of Japan.

TAIKO: Hid eyori.

I' m sorry, my son.

(TAIKO COUGHING)

Mitsunari.

My Lord.

My good, faithful Mitsunari.

(TAIKO COUGHING)

Ieyasu.

(TAIKO GASPING)

I want you both to promise me you'll stand together as allies

until my son is old enough to rule.

Keep Japan united.

(COUGHING)

NARRATOR: Both Ieyasu and Mitsunari swore to work together

in a ruling council.

This would govern until The Taiko's son was of age.

But in reality, Ieyasu had no intention of supporting the boy.

(WOMAN SCREAMING)

WOMAN: He' s dead! He's dead!

We have to get ready, my son, for the coming chaos.

(SHOUTS)

IEYASU: Do you think me dishonourable,

disloyal for plotting against The Taiko's son?

The way of the warrior puts loyalty above all things.

But loyalty to whom?

Your leader? Your country?

Your family?

(SHOUTS)

Let me tell you about loyalty.

Twenty years ago, I was just a minor lord

and I served a man more powerful than me.

And my master said, "Your eldest son, Nobuyasu, I hear he plots against me.

"Either he dies or your family will be wiped out."

Even though the accusation was unjust, my son chose the honourable course.

I kept the sword that Nobuyasu used.

A reminder that loyalties can conflict.

This boy is now my heir.

Hidetada.

A young man impatient for power.

I want to be part of the fight.

I' m not a boy.

We may not need to fight if we plan and move carefully.

Hidetada.

You were a gift.

Born the year your brother...

Born the year Nobuyasu died.

So, I live the rest of my life wrapped in silk because of Nobuyasu?

- I've tried to protect you. - I don't need protecting.

What I need is the chance to prove myself!

Until you can learn to think before you act,

you can do exactly as I say.

And I say we use politics, not war.

NARRATOR: After months of careful preparation,

Ieyasu made his first move.

My lord, I've seen to it you have everything you need

for a safe and pleasant journey.

NARRATOR: Ieyasu sent The Taiko's son away from Fushimi Castle

and the intrigues of court.

It was the opening gambit in a deliberately planned

strategy of provocation.

And Ieyasu expected a swift reaction from Mitsunari and the ruling council.

(TRADITIONAL JAP ANESE MUSIC PLAYING)

(WHISPERING) My lord, you'll have to miss the performance.

Need me with you?

Give me two minutes, Naomasa. Then come and find me.

Is there a problem?

COUNCIL MEMBER: You had no right to send the boy away.

It means you are forgetting The Taiko's dying wish.

He made us promise we'd work together for the boy.

We gave our oath.

And you thought you'd come down here and remind me?

In your capacity as what, Childminder-In-Chief?

Are you looking for a fight?

No one's looking for a fight, Mitsunari.

But The Taiko left his legacy in the hands of a six-year-old child.

Now, excuse me, I am missing the entertainment.

Well, you've just made some people very unhappy.

Yeah, I thought it went rather well.

(MUFFLED CRY)

(SHOUTING)

(NINJA CRIES)

(NINJA SCREAMS)

(GRUNTS)

NARRATOR: Torii Mototada was Ieyasu's loyal samurai retainer.

His family had served and protected his master's clan for generations.

So,

I finally g et my own bed back.

(HIDETADA GROANS)

It's me.

We can see.

Who are they?

Mitsunari's men.

Mitsunari? I'll kill him.

You'll do nothing, understand?

You'll leave Mitsunari to me.

You'll do nothing!

IEYASU: Why didn't I act against Mitsunari?

The way of the warrior says, "Make impatience your enemy."

Mitsunari was predictable,

a pen-pusher, not a soldier.

One should be in no hurry to remove an opponent

you know you can beat.

Of course, I hadn 't planned on the reaction of my hot-headed son, Hidetada.

Along with Ii Naomasa, one of my generals,

he traced Mitsunari to a friend's mansion.

And Hidetada had vengeance on his mind.

Close the gate!

COURTIER: (WHISPERING) Lord Hidetada is approaching.

Surround the place.

(SAMURAI SHOUTS)

(FEMALE SERVANT WHIMPERS)

Make way for her ladyship.

Where's Mitsunari?

He was seen here.

NARRATOR: The manner of Mitsunari's escape is notorious in Japan.

But what he did next was more extraordinary.

Instead of fleeing to his castle or rallying his allies,

he put his faith in the samurai code of honour,

and he went straight to his enemy's mansion.

You know, if you had some decent makeup, Mitsunari,

maybe did something with your hair...

They're always looking for geisha in Osaka.

I'm flattered.

Odd coincidence, don't you think?

Assassins drop in on me a couple of nights back.

And now someone's chasing you.

We live in dangerous times.

We certainly live in strange ones.

Don't play games with me, Ieyasu.

Call off your son.

And why should I do that?

MITSUNARI: All I've ever done in my entire life

is serve The Taiko's family.

Before and after his death.

You're scared. You want my protection.

What do you want?

You retire to your castle in Sawayama. Stay there.

Get that makeup. Find a nice man.

You are not The Taiko. To order me...

No, I'm not The Taiko, and I'm not ordering you.

It's your choice, Mitsunari.

Exile, or I reveal you tried to murder me.

NARRATOR: Ieyasu had Mitsunari where he wanted him. Alive but weakened.

Now, he began to tighten his grip on power.

He ousted two other members of the ruling council

and occupied The Taiko's seat at Fushimi Castle.

He married his daughters off to the sons of other powerful warlords,

so potential enemies became allies.

It looked as if Ieyasu would take control of Japan

through politics, not war.

And then, in the east, a samurai lord began to gather his army

in protest at Ieyasu's actions.

(HORSE SNUFFLING)

(HORSES NEIGHING)

For Ieyasu, putting down these rebels would confirm his authority.

But he still needed the approval of The Taiko's son,

in whose name he claimed to act.

That meant securing the support of the boy's guardian,

his cousin, Hideaki,

a young man with whom Ieyasu had history.

HIDEAKI: You rid e like a madman. IEYASU: I need to keep up with you.

(IEYASU LAUGHS)

IEYASU: How's the boy?

Missing his father.

If you've come here to ask for my support, I can't give it.

You know, Hideaki,

if your uncle was alive, he'd deal with the rebels just as I will.

In helping me, you'd be doing your uncle's work.

Wasn't that our promise, to keep the peace?

Is that what I'd be doing?

Or would I just be helping you?

Then you'll have to decide if you trust me.

Hideaki,

five years ago, you came back from battle,

and Mitsunari advised The Taiko the best thing you could do

was to pull a sword straight across your guts.

He said you were a disgrace, that you deserved death.

I failed.

I led my troops to defeat...

You were a boy, sent to do a man's job.

I know. You were the one who spoke up for me.

It wasn't hard to do.

I didn't want to see another young life wasted.

I know this isn't easy for you.

But someone has to hold Japan together.

Like it or not, that's you and me.

What do you want me to do?

We have Hideaki!

Finish him off quickly, Naomasa, you're coming with me.

NARRATOR: Now confident he had official authority,

Ieyasu led his army out of Fushimi Castle.

His plan was to gather his allies at his stronghold of Edo

before striking east against the so-called rebels.

At the same time, Hideaki marched his troops

towards the rendezvous.

Fifteen thousand soldiers, ready to fight alongside Ieyasu.

But Ieyasu had forgotten one thing.

If he could turn the head of Hideaki, so could others.

Lord Mitsunari is ahead.

I heard you had retired from public life.

I heard you were marching.

You are betraying your family.

I'm helping keep what's left of the peace.

That's how he persuaded you, is it? That's what Ieyasu told you.

This has nothing to do with Ieyasu.

This has everything to do with Ieyasu.

(SCOFFS)

Do you think this is what your uncle would have wanted?

I want to take back Fushimi, return the castle to your family.

But I need your help.

You are asking me to betray a man who saved my life.

Don't be so sentimental, Hideaki! You know the truth.

It's not you nor your prowess as a general that Ieyasu needs.

It's your family's banner.

And once he's this country's unchallenged ruler,

he'll see you and the boy are buried with it.

NARRATOR: And so, Hideaki changed sides.

It was Mitsunari who now claimed The Taiko's authority,

and he moved decisively.

With Ieyasu miles to the east,

Mitsunari marched on Fushimi Castle.

(MEN YELLING)

NARRATOR: Ieyasu had left only his samurai retainer, Mototada,

and a few hundred men to guard his rear.

They were outnumbered 20 to 1.

(PANTING)

It is not the way of the warrior to be ashamed and avoid death.

It is to die for your master.

To die with honour.

(MOTOTADA YELLING)

NARRATOR: Mototada could have surrendered to Hideaki

or even tried to escape.

But that would have meant living with the shame

of losing his master's castle.

Instead, he chose to follow the way of the warrior.

We march at first light, confront Ieyasu.

HIDEAKI: We don't need to confront him.

Ieyasu's weakened. He can be forced to negotiate.

You didn't think this was it, did you?

Fushimi is just the first step.

We leave tomorrow. Get your men ready.

IEYASU: I underestimated Mitsunari.

Mototada fought to the last.

He died for our family.

Now we have no choice.

The chaos is here, a full-scale civil war.

It's not what I wanted and we have a duty to end it quickly.

Our troops will advance from two directions.

I'll take 30,000 men along the south road.

Hidetada,

40,000 men will take the north road.

Under you.

You're not a boy.

Thank you, Father.

Don't let me down.

NARRATOR: This was the start of a brutal civil war in Japan.

Heading out from Edo, Ieyasu, now cast as a traitor,

tried to pick off Mitsunari's allies in a series of battles.

Mitsunari, his ranks swollen by many warlords

Ioyal to The Taiko's family, approached from the west,

aiming to attack Ieyasu's power base.

Eventually, Mitsunari and his allies converged on Ogaki,

twelve miles from the vital crossroads of Sekigahara,

which controlled access to all parts of Japan.

In mid-October, 1600, Ieyasu himself arrived.

Already there, waiting for him, his general, Naomasa.

The two sides were now separated by a narrow valley.

NAOMASA: Mitsunari ' s pitched camp at Ogaki Castle. He's up there in numbers.

Where's Hidetada? I don't see his banner.

- I've sent messengers. - When?

A week ago.

- He's got half our army. - He knows that, my lord.

(SAMURAI SHOUTING)

NARRATOR: What Ieyasu didn't know

was that Hidetada had got himself pointlessly sidetracked.

Ieyasu's hot-headed son and his 40, 000 troops

were hundreds of miles away

besieging the stronghold of a Mitsunari ally.

A stronghold of no strategic value whatsoever.

AIDE: I' m sorry, my lord.

This was delayed. The rivers are flooded.

It's from Lord Naomasa.

We should be in Ogaki.

We were expected there two days ago.

Still no sign of Hidetada?

I've sent out more men. He's not on any of the approach roads.

You should try to sleep.

IEYASU: You know what tomorrow is?

Twenty-one years to the day of my boy's death.

Nobuyasu.

They said he was a traitor,

conspiring against the lord I served.

It wasn't true.

But he had to die.

There was nothing I could do.

He had to die or our family would've been destroyed.

That was the choice.

He was required to prove my loyalty.

T o Nobuyasu.

T o loyalty.

NARRATOR: The next day, Mitsunari made his move.

He prepared plans to seize Sekigahara,

aiming to use the crossroads to bypass Ieyasu,

perhaps even attack his rear.

And Mitsunari had a critical strategic advantage.

Hideaki, The Taiko's nephew,

had taken up position on Mount Matsuo which overlooked the crossroads itself.

Leave me.

- Looking forward to it? - T o what?

Putting down a rebellion, wiping out the usurper.

What is it with you, Mitsunari?

- You like watching people die? - Ieyasu deserves what's coming.

Ieyasu saved my life

when you would've seen me killed.

That was a long time ago. I misjudged you.

I'm sorry.

I know you don't like me.

But when this is over,

I'd like you to consider a proposal.

I'd like you to become my chancellor.

Your chancellor?

You mean, until Hideyori is of age?

Of course. Of course.

All I ask is that you attack Ieyasu the moment I send up my flare.

You're in a good position here.

NARRATOR: On the evening of the 20th of October, 1600,

Mitsunari's army left Ogaki, heading towards Sekigahara.

They're marching towards Sekigahara.

Of course they are, they want the crossroads.

We need to withdraw and regroup.

If we withdraw now, we lose.

My lord, without Hidetada, we are under-strengthed.

Hidetada's dead to me. Do you understand?

This is from Hideaki.

You're relying on Hideaki?

He says he's made a mistake.

He's no longer fooled by Mitsunari.

- And you believe him? - Why lie?

Because that is what he does!

Mototada died because of him!

(YELLING) Are you questioning me?

Are you?

We'll find out the truth soon enough at Sekigahara.

NARRATOR: Ieyasu was now risking everything on a confused young man

who had already betrayed him once before.

This was Ieyasu's first great gamble that day.

It would not be his last.

NARRATOR: As they prepared for battle,

both sides were pinning their hopes on Hideaki, positioned on Mount Matsuo.

Ieyasu was gambling that Hideaki would defect

and join battle on his side.

Mitsunari was confident that Hideaki would attack Ieyasu

on the agreed signal.

Sekigahara was the biggest gathering of samurai in Japanese history.

NAOMASA: Hid eaki i s well placed.

If he comes down on us, we're finished.

He won't.

As you wish.

NARRATOR: Without his heir, Hidetada,

Ieyasu promoted his younger son, Tadayoshi,

to uphold the family's honour in combat.

I want you to take Tadayoshi into battle.

Look after him.

Make me proud.

Would you like to take a look at their frontline, Tadayoshi?

(SCREAMING)

(ALL SHOUTING)

NARRATOR: The battle began well for Ieyasu's forces.

But samurai combat was no longer just a test of sword skill.

Canons and arquebuses,

weapons introduced by Jesuit missionaries, played their part.

(GRUNTS)

And all the while, Hideaki remained rooted on top of his hill.

Come on, Hideaki.

What' s stopping you?

NARRATOR: Slowly, Mitsunari's men began to prevail.

Bring up the reserves!

(CONCH BLOWING)

Where's Tadayoshi?

We got separated.

(GRUNTING)

Signal Hideaki.

(BARKING ORDERS)

My lord, that's our signal.

Prepare for a flank assault by Hideaki.

What is he doing?

What's he waiting for?

He's wavering. He can't decide.

Lord Mitsunari says you must engage now.

Fire on Hideaki!

NAOMASA: My lord, have you lost your mind?

You will bring him down on us!

He has to choose which side he's on.

Someone has to make him choose.

He will kill us all.

Then what have we got to lose?

(BARKING ORDERS)

NARRATOR: It was an extraordinary gamble

firing on the man that Ieyasu wanted as his ally.

My lord, Ieyasu's cannon!

Prepare to attack.

(HIDEAKI'S TROOPS SHOUTING)

This can't be.

He can't do this to me.

Hideaki is attacking us.

NARRATOR: Ieyasu's decision to fire on Hideaki has entered Japanese legend.

He had understood something deep inside the young man 's psychology that day.

It seems Hideaki's mistrust of Mitsunari,

and his debt of honour to Ieyasu, outweighed any other loyalty.

Even to his own family.

That choice proved decisive for the future of Japan.

You've g ot something to say?

It' ll keep, my lord.

- Mitsunari? - He ran.

Forgive me.

Get off your knees.

Get off your knees.

Your decision at Fushimi was poor.

Your indecision today almost cost me the battle.

But, in the end, you made the right choice

for Japan.

I want Mitsunari alive.

Don't let me down.

NARRATOR: For Ieyasu, it was a bitter victory.

The day after the battle,

his son Hidetada finally arrived near Sekigahara.

He was met by his brother.

Hidetada 's failure had brought dishonour upon himself and his family.

There could be only one way to make amends.

The way of the warrior is found in death.

- Just tell him to do it. - You should see him first.

He knows what to do.

Just make sure he acts like a true samurai,

Iike his brother did.

I'm sorry, my lord.

But your victory makes you the most powerful man in Japan.

No one is making you do this.

You do not have to do this.

I'm sorry, Father.

I know my duty.

Twenty-one years ago, I had to prove my loyalty,

and I lost a son.

Now my loyalty is to my family.

(SWORD SHEATH SHUTS)

And I'll be damned if I'll lose another.

NARRATOR: Mitsunari was hunted down.

After being paraded through the streets of Osaka in chains, he was beheaded.

Two years after Sekigahara,

and unable to live with the choices he had made,

Hideaki lost his mind and died.

At the age of 21, The Taiko's son, Hideyori,

Ied a rebellion against Ieyasu.

It failed, and he took his own life.

By then, Ieyasu had taken the title of the shogun,

master of all Japan.

His family ruled unchallenged for the next 250 years.