Original subtitles

TAIGA DRAMA

SANADA MARU

WRITTEN BY: MITANI KOKI

MUSIC BY: HATTORI TAKAYUKI

NARRATOR: UDO YUMIKO

CAST

SANADA NOBUSHIGE: SAKAI MASATO

SANADA NOBUYUKI: OIZUMI YO

KIRI: NAGASAWA MASAMI

UME: KUROKI HARU

HOTTA SAKUBEI: FUJIMOTO TAKAHIRO

SASUKE: FUJII TAKASHI

HOJO UJIMASA: TAKASHIMA MASANOBU

UESUGI KAGEKATSU: ENDO KENICHI

LADY ACHA: SAITO YUKI

IDEURA MASASUKE: TERAJIMA SUSUMU

KASUGA NOBUTATSU: MAEKAWA YASUYUKI

TAKANASHI NAIKI: NAKAHARA TAKEO

MUROGA MASATAKE: NISHIMURA MASAHIKO

KAORU: TAKAHATA ATSUKO

HONDA MASANOBU: KONDO MASAOMI

TOKUGAWA IEYASU: UCHINO SEIYO

SANADA MASAYUKI: KUSAKARI MASAO

PRODUCERS: YOSHIKAWA KUNIO, YASHIKI YOTARO

TRANSLATIONS BY MTI

DIRECTOR: TANAKA TADASHI

EPISODE 8: A PLOY

The Hojo took advantage of the situation.

They were trying to usurp the former Takeda fiefs.

Masayuki, who sided with the Uesugi,

had given Nobushige secret orders behind the scenes.

HAMAMATSU CASTLE

Thank goodness you're here.

How is he?

From earlier...

He's a nervous wreck.

Masanobu.

The Hojo will invade us.

Lord, calm down.

They've already laid siege to Kozuke.

They are definitely going to head here next.

The Hojo have already crossed Usui Pass.

Usui Pass?

Their next target is...

Shinano.

Shinano?

The huge army of 20,000 led by Hojo Ujinao crossed Usui Pass,

subjugated the local lords of Shinano one by one,

and continued their advance.

SAGAMI - ODAWARA CASTLE

Our army has unstoppable momentum.

With this momentum,

the Uesugi and Tokugawa pose no threat to us.

ITABEOKA KOSETSUSAI

Don't act in haste.

Pour soup only on what you're going to eat.

A little at a time.

That's how I eat.

The Hojo's subjugation of the lands...

will be fully savored.

SHINANO - KAIZU CASTLE

The Hojo will be invading.

They're heading here with an army of 20,000.

Damn Hojo.

They've forgotten how strong the Uesugi is.

Let us punish them under the guardian god of Bishamonten.

SHINANO - SANADA HOMELAND

Father!

As an Uesugi ally, the Hojo are enemies.

I'm well aware of that.

Let us fight the Hojo at once.

We'll rout the Hojo.

Let's wait it out.

Father, please tell me what you're waiting for.

Can you persuade Kasuga Nobutatsu to side with us?

He'll be my gift to the Hojo when I go to them.

I will do it.

Please Uncle, I want to see how you intend to persuade him.

My brother has come up with an interesting plan.

Uncle, I want to be like you.

You know of Kasuga Nobutatsu, don't you?

Only by name.

His father is Kosaka Danjo.

He's one of the key vassals who supported the Takeda.

After the Takeda fell, the Uesugi picked him up.

Lately, he's been unhappy with his situation.

Well, well, Sir Kasuga.

Why the serious look?

No, it's nothing.

KASUGA NOBUTATSU

This is my third son.

My name is Nobuharu.

I don't understand

why you are kept here to defend the castle.

You are famed for your strength.

When I asked to go with the Lord, I was turned down.

I don't understand what the Lord is thinking.

Why does he ignore you?

That is not the case.

Kaizu Castle is a stronghold for the protection of Kawanakajima.

His appointing me to defend it shows he's not ignoring me.

Do you honestly feel that way?

What are you getting at?

The Lord doesn't trust those deeply connected to the Takeda.

That includes you and me.

It's your overactive imagination.

A samurai of your caliber,

would be a castle lord if you served someone else.

I'm leaving.

Please keep this confidential.

My older brother, for reasons of his own,

has decided to betray the Uesugi and side with the Hojo.

What?

The Uesugi are dying.

It's best to jump from a sinking ship.

Side with the Hojo.

That's absurd.

By siding with Hojo now...

I'm leaving.

Sir Kasuga.

As we are both former Takeda vassals,

I'll disregard what you just told me.

Excuse me.

I doubt Nobutatsu will betray the Uesugi.

But there's a possibility.

How can you tell?

If he were uninterested, he'd have taken the bait and left.

Then he'd report it to the Lord. If I were him, that's what I'd do.

Just one more push.

Allow me to do that final push.

Want to give it a try?

Yes.

It was terrible.

So a lot has happened.

To be honest, I thought I was going to die.

But when Sir Genjiro came to our rescue,

suddenly a ray of light shone in the darkness.

That's good.

I know his main purpose was to save Lady Tori,

but I'll never forget the look in his eyes

when he found me in the castle.

It's been a while.

He looked very happy.

I could tell by the sparkle in his eyes.

I'm sorry to have stayed long.

I'll see you again. Work hard.

You too.

They've bloomed beautifully.

Keep watch.

Kaizu Castle used to belong to your father.

It's a castle I grew up in.

Sir Kasuga.

Nobuharu... I already gave my answer.

I'm not Sanada Nobuharu.

What?

Nobutada is my uncle.

My real father is Sanada Masayuki.

I'm Sanada Genjiro Nobushige.

So you're Masayuki's son!

Indeed.

I've fought in battles with your father.

I came to persuade you under my father's orders.

That is why I lied about my identity upon arrival.

The sons of Kosaka Danjo and Sanada Masayuki

are viewing flowers in Uesugi's castle.

The march of time is interesting.

Sir Kasuga.

It doesn't matter who you are. My feelings won't change.

Please think about it carefully.

I am indebted to the Uesugi.

I know that.

After my father's death, I did my best to protect the Kasuga clan.

After the Takeda fell, I went to the Oda.

Then the Honno-ji Incident happened and I was at a loss.

But Lord Uesugi Kagekatsu picked me up as his vassal.

Then what about your obligation to Lord Shingen?

Your father rose from farmer to councilor, didn't he?

Have you forgotten? Hojo Ujinao is Lord Shingen's grandson.

The Uesugi didn't protect you.

The Uesugi acquired North Shinano which Oda relinquished.

Right now, he is using you as a pawn to pit against his foe.

The Lord is not like that.

You needn't feel so deeply obligated!

Enough!

Don't ever talk about this matter with me again.

You were too logical.

I'm sorry.

People tend to close up when presented with logic.

Don't act in haste.

They're having difficulty persuading Kasuga Nobutatsu.

What are the Hojo's moves?

After they prepare for battle at Komoro Castle,

they'll probably advance their army to Kawanakajima.

This is a bad situation.

If this drags out, I'll miss my chance to show up.

There's nothing we can do.

We have no choice. We'll go without waiting.

But...

I'm sure things will work out.

I'm going to see Hojo Ujinao.

I'm going out.

Things must be going smoothly.

It's the opposite.

Opposite?

The Lord is enjoying the crisis.

He is truly mystifying.

The Hojo have entered Komoro Castle.

KOZUKE - IWABITSU CASTLE

The war between the Uesugi and the Hojo will start soon.

Reporting!

An urgent message from the Lord.

What?

Father has betrayed the Uesugi,

and sided with the Hojo.

I'll be going.

Brother, may fortune be with you.

I'll rout the Hojo!

Brother, you've got it wrong!

The enemy is Uesugi.

I'm confused already.

Whoever invades is the enemy!

Here I come!

SHINANO - KOMORO CASTLE

Well, well, Muroga.

So you decided to side with the Hojo after all.

I was always with the Hojo.

You've got the nerve.

If you'll excuse me now.

Stay in line.

I'll try to behave myself.

You're late!

Lord Sanada.

You've got the gall to show up before me.

There is no place for you here! Leave!

Please wait.

Sanada represents the local lords of Chiisagata.

By his joining us,

we will get more support.

Who are you?

I'm Ideura Masasuke.

Are you telling me what to do?

No... that wasn't my intention.

Lord Sanada.

So you betrayed the Uesugi to come to the Hojo.

Confine yourself at Muroga's castle.

Be gone!

Lord.

In apology for being late,

I brought you a gift.

Gift?

An enemy general who defends Kaizu Castle,

Kasuga Nobutatsu, has been secretly recruited.

What?!

You will be assured of a huge victory.

Do you dare insult the Hojo?!

We don't need Kasuga's help!

We have enough strength to crush the Uesugi!

Lord!

Father?

The retired lord is here.

Stay as you are.

Weren't you in Odawara?

I'm just visiting the camp. Rest assured, Ujinao.

I've left the battle to you.

I won't meddle.

So?

I plan to advance the army to Kawanakajima tomorrow

and launch a full scale attack on the Uesugi.

You'll win, won't you?

Yes, of course.

That's good.

Who is he?

It is a pleasure to meet you.

I am Sanada Masayuki.

Sanada?

The famous Lord Sanada who was with the Takeda?

Men, we have the aid of Lord Sanada!

Come closer.

Excuse me.

Retired Lord.

Actually, I have recruited Uesugi vassal...

Kasuga Nobutatsu, to our side.

Very impressive.

Father!

We can win regardless!

Nothing is better than an easy victory.

If Kasuga betrays the Uesugi, less soldiers will die.

Thank you for your troubles.

I can't thank you enough.

If possible, when victory is achieved...

can you give Kasuga Nobutatsu Kaizu Castle?

I would like a promise in writing.

That's an easy request.

Ujinao, give him a written promise.

This is good news!

I didn't know you thought so highly of Sanada.

Sanada? I don't know much about him.

But...

Ujinao is young so he lets it get to his head.

I just thought I'd tighten the reins on him.

I see.

I'll stop over at Kusatsu hot spring before going home.

On July 14th,

the Hojo army, including the local lords of Kozuke,

started advancing with their army of 30,000.

Whereas Uesugi Kagekatsu had encamped at Kaizu Castle

with an army of 7,000.

Shortly later,

news of Sanada Masayuki's alliance with the Hojo,

reached Kagekatsu.

What is your brother thinking?

I'm sorry.

He said that he'd side with the Uesugi.

Then immediately after...

It is truly embarrassing.

An unforgivable betrayal.

What about you, Nobutada?

Lord...

Brothers don't always share the same thoughts.

I, Sanada Nobutada,

have for many years,

mediated between the Uesugi and the Sanada.

I've worked tirelessly for the prosperity of both clans.

My brother, Masayuki, has ruined all my hard work.

I am disgusted with him.

Nobuharu.

Yes.

What about you? Are you with your father?

Yes. Like my father...

I am disgusted with my uncle, Masayuki.

At this point, we father and son...

are prepared to die in Echigo.

Thanks for saying that.

Yes!

We must act quickly.

Sir Kasuga! I must talk to you!

The Hojo will invade tomorrow.

I know.

Should you be still be here?

Even though he's now a Hojo vassal,

my father will still be proud to have been a Takeda vassal.

Just like you.

Kasuga!

Don't scare me.

If Hojo Ujimasa wins this war,

he said he will return Kaizu Castle to you.

What?

This Kaizu Castle that your father protected.

Hard work under the Uesugi won't get you this castle.

You should know that.

Guide the Hojo to victory and get back Kaizu Castle!

I'm sure your late father would want that.

Sir Kasuga!

I sometimes think even now...

if only the Takeda hadn't met with demise.

Then I wouldn't be going through this.

Both me...

and your father.

I agree.

It just shows how great Lord Shingen was.

When he died nine years ago,

we as vassals,

also died.

No... we are not dead!

My father fought hard to regain Numata and Iwabitsu castles!

Retake Kaizu Castle under Hojo Ujinao,

and settle an old score.

Wouldn't that uphold your father's honor?

Sir Kasuga!

Kasuga Nobutatsu is on our side.

Sir Nobutada can be relied on.

I'll have Hojo Ujinao's letter delivered immediately.

Sasuke, are you around?

It's time for you to work. Take care of that matter.

Yes, sir.

Are you still having doubts?

Don't worry. I've already made up my mind.

I'm surprised you tried to persuade me to defect.

I know the Uesugi's operation and the geography well.

If I attack from the rear, the Uesugi...

will suffer complete defeat.

Excuse me.

What is it, Sanjuro?

Sir Nobutada would like to see you.

I got a letter from my brother.

It's a written oath assuring Kasuga Nobutatsu's future.

Hojo Ujinao's seal is on it.

Kasuga will be happy to see this.

Genjiro, didn't you say you want to be like me?

Yes.

I'll say this much.

Don't become like me.

Having gained the Sanada, the final greatest resistance,

as an ally, the Hojo army easily advanced to Kawanakajima.

The Hojo and Uesugi armies

faced each other across Chikuma River.

The local hunters have seen it.

Tell us what you saw.

Certainly.

A large group of samurai from the castle raced to the mountain.

They were definitely Uesugi soldiers.

I recognized them from the battle at Kawanakajima.

I wouldn't mistake their flags.

What was their count?

More than 20,000.

Enough!

Are the Uesugi able to amass such a number of soldiers?

I sent out a spy to verify.

Knowing the Uesugi, it's possible they amassed soldiers in secret.

Lord!

What is it?

Someone was crucified across Chikuma River!

Who?

According to our scout, it's Kasuga Nobutatsu.

Are you sure?

Yes!

What is going on?

Don't tell me Kasuga...

Sanada Masayuki, explain!

They must've found out about our plan.

What are we going to do?

We'll have to launch an attack.

What?

In battle, momentum is important.

Even without a plan, the victory is ours.

We have an overwhelming army of 30,000.

I agree with Sanada.

Now is the time to crush the Uesugi.

We received word that Tokugawa entered Kai.

What if they seize Kai while we struggle with the Uesugi?

After coming this far,

I don't think you should turn your back on the Uesugi.

I've made my decision.

I'm pulling out from here.

Please wait.

We are heading to Kai from now!

Yes, sir!

Lord.

In a battle, it's important to know when to pull out.

They could attack us on retreat,

and crush us.

Then you can bring up the rear.

Sanada, make yourself useful.

Your plan failed.

You arrived late and now another blunder.

Do a good job bringing up the rear to redeem yourself.

If you make it out alive, we can meet again.

You maneuvered well.

Hojo Ujinao is easy to predict.

He only says the opposite of me.

The Hojo army avoided battle with the Uesugi,

and headed south to Kai.

As for Uesugi Kagekatsu, he returned to Echigo

to suppress the revolt by his vassal, Shibata Shigeie.

What?

The Hojo army is advancing in our direction.

Why? Why are they headed this way?

They should crush the Uesugi first!

I agree, but...

at this point, we'll just have to confront them.

We're in a bad situation.

It's a written oath by Hojo Ujinao.

Kaizu Castle will now be yours.

I am grateful for this.

My father must be happy in afterlife.

Come to think of it, when I was little...

my father took me...

What are you doing?

Forgive me.

Damn you!

Sanjuro, stand watch outside.

Will do.

Help me.

We'll make it seem like he drew his sword first.

Hurry!

Yes!

We witnessed Kasuga bringing suspicious men into the castle

so we questioned him.

Then he attacked.

He was undoubtedly in contact with the Hojo.

Kasuga was...?

He colluded with the Hojo...

to launch a pincer attack.

You saved us.

Put him on the stakes to set an example.

Yes, sir.

Leave the castle at once and return to my brother.

But...

Naoe Kanetsugu is suspicious.

-He will soon figure it out. -Uncle, what about you?

Don't worry about me.

Give Brother my regards.

Please hurry.

Are you Nobutada's son?

I'm Nobuharu.

I respected Kasuga Nobutatsu.

He had his concerns for being a Takeda vassal,

but I wouldn't deny my vassal over something like that.

Being appointed to defend the castle during battle upset him.

That's the importance of this Kaizu Castle.

There was no one more suitable than Kasuga.

I thought he was someone who'd support the Uesugi.

One of my vassals revolted in Echigo.

You never know what lies in a person's heart.

It was all planned by Father and Uncle.

To make Kasuga defect, and then punish him as a traitor.

-For what reason? -What happened as a result?

The Hojo withdrew their army and Father became their rear guard.

Father and Uncle used Kasuga to make that happen.

Sanjuro, I...

am afraid of them.

I don't understand.

What does Father want to do?

The Hojo withdrew their army from Shinano,

and the Uesugi returned to Echigo.

The Hojo's advance to the south stopped the Tokugawa.

Shinano is currently empty.

That's probably Father's aim.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

I went in for a bath.

Now that we're together...

I realize it's been a while since we talked.

Genjiro, good job with Kasuga Nobutatsu.

Was that the right thing?

Of course.

Father, what were you after?

Everything.

That idiot Hojo son took the bait and gave up

on the battle with the Uesugi to fight the Tokugawa.

That blocked the Tokugawa's move on Shinano.

I had already heard about the revolt in Echigo,

so I knew the Uesugi wouldn't invade.

It's all part of the strategy.

The Hojo and the Uesugi are now out of the picture.

The Tokugawa and the Oda are gone, too.

At this moment, Shinano belongs to no one.

Yes.

I was waiting for this time.

Father, are you planning to be a daimyo?

How I wish to be one.

But unfortunately, I still lack the power.

Then what?

The regional lords will govern Shinano from now.

One man can't do it, but collectively, we become one great power.

This was originally Takeda fief.

It's only right for former Takeda vassals to govern it.

Not the Hojo.

Not the Uesugi.

We don't need the daimyo!

We'll build our own province.

What Sanada Masayuki was envisioning at the time...

was an independent state free of the regional lords.

Something that only he would think of.

That is what Masayuki thought.

But he had forgotten about this man.

Masanobu, could this be...

all part of Sanada's ploy?

If it is...

without using a single soldier of his...

he chased out the Hojo and the Uesugi from Shinano.

As a result of it...

I have to fight the Hojo.

Which makes him...

a man to be feared.

Sanada Masayuki...

is not even a daimyo...

but is toying with us.

What is he after?

No... it can't be.

Too tight!

END OF EPISODE 8

Strategizing is...

I don't care to know.

Betray the Hojo?

No one can take the place of Lord Takeda Shingen.

I can think hard if it's to protect you.

I'll become that samurai.

NEXT EPISODE: TACTICS