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

TAKANASHI NAIKI: NAKAHARA TAKEO

MUROGA MASATAKE: NISHIMURA MASAHIKO

HONDA TADAKATSU: FUJIOKA HIROSHI

TORI: KUSABUE MITSUKO

KAORU: TAKAHATA ATSUKO

HONDA MASANOBU: KONDO MASAOMI

TOKUGAWA IEYASU: UCHINO SEIYO

SANADA MASAYUKI: KUSAKARI MASAO

PRODUCERS: YOSHIKAWA KUNIO, YASHIKI YOTARO

TRANSLATIONS BY MTI

DIRECTOR: KOBAYASHI DAIJI

EPISODE 10: EXPEDIENT

The Sanada's alliance with the Tokugawa,

dealt a crushing blow to the Hojo army.

But the Tokugawa and the Hojo suddenly joined hands.

Hence, the Sanada would lose their fief.

What will be Masayuki's next move?

You've been taken lightly!

The Hojo and the Tokugawa are doing as they please!

Kai and Shinano go to the Tokugawa!

Kozuke goes to the Hojo!

How dare they split our fiefs on their own!?

Say something, Masayuki!

I don't understand.

Seriously!

Ignore him.

It's his usual tantrum.

This happened right after we repelled the Hojo.

Why did the Tokugawa agree to a peace treaty?

They must've been pressed for time.

What do you mean?

They had a reason for not wanting to drag it out.

The inability to predict the future...

may apply to all of us.

Sanada Masayuki is puzzled.

He must've been surprised.

We weren't going for a draw.

The Hojo were repelled for the Tokugawa's victory.

My lord is well aware of that.

We believed Lord Ieyasu would keep his promise.

Hence, the Sanada became an ally.

Please do not forget that.

Sanada Nobutada is a sharp man.

Can I retain him as my vassal?

I doubt Sanada Masayuki would give him up.

Now,

how shall we handle that matter with the Sanada?

Ignore it.

I have no time for small fries.

That small fry can be deadly poisonous.

Deadly poisonous?

You should call him over once.

I guess I have no choice.

Will you go to see him?

He's giving me the chance to negotiate.

It might be interesting to go along with it.

That move is...

I'm taking an aggressive approach.

This is Sanada Masayuki's eldest son, Nobuyuki.

Due to my father's sudden illness, I have come in his place.

Thank you for repelling the Hojo for us.

We are honored.

We didn't anticipate you'd join hands with the Hojo.

Those are my father's words.

Don't say that.

My father is worried about what to expect from now.

Don't worry.

I will protect Shinano.

Do you know Kokuzo-san Castle?

Doesn't it belong to the Uesugi?

Kokuzo-san Castle is north of our Chiisagata,

and touches Amagafuchi.

The Uesugi are planning to use it as a foothold

to control Shinano.

That's good to know.

Hence,

we want you to build a new castle in preparation.

A castle?

That is correct.

At Amagafuchi.

Say we build the castle... who will defend it?

The Sanada will humbly protect it.

Are you telling me to build a castle for the Sanada?

You can forget that!

We lack the power to build a castle there.

The Uesugi will someday become a threat to the Tokugawa.

Please build a castle at Amagafuchi.

Amagafuchi fronts Kokuzo-san Castle.

If you were to build a castle there,

you would be preparing to oppose the Uesugi.

All right.

I'll build a castle there.

Please wait.

The land in front of Amagafuchi is called Ueda Plains.

A huge castle can be built there.

I have a blueprint of the castle.

Let me see that.

It looks like it'll be a nice castle.

Start construction immediately.

The Tokugawa will supply the labor and lumber.

I would like to relay that to my father immediately.

In return...

I'd like to have Numata.

Numata?

Can't you agree to that?

Just the other day,

you vouched to let us keep Numata and Iwabitsu castles.

Did I?

Don't play dumb.

When I met with the retired Hojo lord...

After the Takeda's demise, Numata Castle belonged to Oda.

It's the Hojo that repelled the Oda.

That is true.

The Hojo will take Numata.

That's fine.

That's what happened.

I agreed to give Kozuke to the Hojo.

Hence, please turn over Numata to the Hojo.

Giving up Numata and Iwabitsu castles

meant the forfeiture of a substantial fief.

The answer is no.

But I already promised him.

What about your promise to the Sanada?

Giving Numata to the Hojo...

is utterly unreasonable.

But...

No buts!

Insolent!

I'll slay you!

Heihachiro.

I would like to discuss this matter

with my brother.

All right.

We have a banquet planned for you tonight.

Relieve your battle fatigue.

You did well.

That was brave of you.

I feel exhausted.

Why does Father want to build a castle at Amagafuchi?

Isn't it in preparation to oppose the Uesugi?

That's what he wants them to think. His real aim is probably the Tokugawa.

That's what I thought.

What do you mean?

By building a castle at Amagafuchi,

you can defend against the Uesugi in the north,

and the Tokugawa in the south.

He anticipates conflict down the road with the Tokugawa.

The castle to fight the Tokugawa...

is going to be built by the Tokugawa?

In any event, we have to come out strong.

Brother, please keep up the good work.

That man sitting next to Ieyasu worries me.

Insolent!

I thought he was going to slay me.

I don't like guys like him.

But you did a good job.

Nobuyuki will later marry Honda Tadakatsu's daughter, Ina,

but at this time, he had no clue.

I shouldn't have promised to give Numata to the Sanada.

It's getting to be troublesome.

Excuse me.

Can I say something?

What is it?

Under your order,

I've been caring for the various hostages.

One of them...

happens to be a brazen old woman.

She claims...

to be Sanada Masayuki's mother.

What?

This is Lord Ieyasu.

Please raise your heads.

Where is she?

Oh.

She's the one.

Are you Lord Sanada Masayuki's mother?

Indeed I am.

Where did you go?

To the mountain in the back.

I went to pick medicinal herbs.

This is Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Actually, tonight...

I made special arrangements.

Is that right?

Grandmother!

So you were alive!

I'm fine, as you can see.

Grandmother, you look good.

Huh? I can't hear you.

She hasn't changed!

Nobutada, is that you?

Mother, it's been a while.

Nobutada, I haven't seen you in a long time.

Will you massage my shoulders?

Certainly.

Why are you here?

She was among Kiso Yoshimasa's hostages.

Let me pour you a drink.

Nobuyuki.

The Tokugawa and the Sanada have a tight bond now.

Hence, I would like to return the hostage to you.

That's too strong.

What!?

Drink up.

Please work out the Numata matter.

Massage her well.

Shall I massage her?

If we relinquish Numata,

Ieyasu said he would build a castle at Amagafuchi?

Yes.

In that case, for now...

let's drop Numata.

But Sir Yazawa is at Numata.

Will he agree to it?

-I refuse! -It'll be temporary.

We must hand it over to the Hojo to save Ieyasu's face.

But we'll retrieve it again later.

I refuse.

Granduncle!

In the first place,

YAZAWA YORITSUNA

under the Lord's order,

we fought desperately to acquire this castle.

If you insist on giving it to them,

kill me right here and now!

Please don't do this!

Please!

He was Masayuki's father's younger brother.

As an elder in the Sanada clan,

he was in charge of the Sanada's fief in Kozuke, including Numata.

I can see where Uncle is coming from.

It's getting to be troublesome.

If we reject the Tokugawa, they'll be furious.

What are you going to do?

We already brought home the hostage.

As a hostage,

I went from the Takigawa to the Kiso to the Tokugawa.

I was passed around.

I wouldn't say it was comfortable wherever I went.

I learned things.

I was able to see the outside world.

In these times of crises,

what can we women do?

Let's think about that from now.

What can we do?

Let's think about that.

I'll go anywhere as a hostage.

You have to get well as soon as possible.

I'm sorry.

I've been thinking about the hostage situation.

Oko is sickly, and you are advanced in age.

Then I have my issue.

I can't let the whole burden fall on you.

Excuse me. What is the issue you are referring to?

It's about time that Genjiro got married.

No, that is...

He shouldn't get married just to provide a hostage.

Shouldn't his wife be with Sir Genjiro?

That's what I think.

What did Sanada Masayuki write?

He would like me to wait until he's able to

persuade Yazawa Yoritsuna.

Damn Sanada!

The Hojo will eventually invade Numata.

When that happens, the Sanada will have to give in.

The Tokugawa are leaving the Numata matter to us.

Therefore, Ujinao...

Yes?

Go to acquire Numata Castle immediately.

Will do!

Numata Castle is located at the transportation hub.

The Hojo would have full control of Kozuke by acquiring it.

To the Hojo who plotted to unify Kanto,

it was an essential castle.

This castle belongs to the Hojo.

Please surrender it at once.

Or else...

Lord!

He's gone overboard with his hot temper.

We can't avoid war with the Hojo.

That is true.

Damn Sanada.

They're making a complete mockery of us!

We now...

have an excuse to attack Numata.

We will attack Numata.

Yazawa Yoritsuna, his vassals, as well as women and children,

will be eradicated.

Yes, sir!

The Hojo commenced an attack on Numata Castle,

defended by Yazawa Yoritsuna.

Keep the Hojo out!

Yoritsuna was approaching the fragile age of 70,

but he fought hard and kept the Hojo out of the castle.

Consider this to be your grave!

I'm sorry.

My father has caused everyone trouble.

That is just like him.

He lacks sound judgment.

You must want to go to his aid.

If at all possible.

On Ueda Plains that face Amagafuchi,

construction of the new castle had begun.

From this castle, known later as Ueda Castle,

Sanada Masayuki would twice repel Tokugawa's large army.

That is still way down the road.

They are struggling at Numata.

At what point should I send reinforcements?

We're not sending any.

Now that the Tokugawa and the Hojo have joined hands,

we cannot openly fight the Hojo.

Uncle has to fight hard.

Lord, it's your turn.

Excuse me.

What is it?

He has something urgent to discuss with you.

I was just about to call you.

Come in.

Sorry.

Lord!

Sorry about that.

We can't continue anymore.

Sanjuro, I understand your feelings.

If Uncle sees his son's face, he'll be invigorated.

Head to Numata at once.

Yes, sir.

If it looks like the war will drag out,

bring Uncle home.

Numata is important,

but I can't afford to have him die there.

I don't think my father will quietly obey.

That's where you come in, Genjiro.

Go to the Uesugi.

The Uesugi?

We need help from the Uesugi

to end the battle in Numata.

Which means...?

We'll join hands with the Uesugi once more.

Will the Uesugi agree?

Probably not.

Not after I clearly betrayed him.

Hence... we will use a ploy.

-What kind? -I don't know.

I beg your pardon?

Use your wits, Genjiro.

I'll leave it to you.

Yes!

You look happy.

I am. My father told me to devise a plan.

Are you going far?

To Echigo.

Please distinguish yourself. I'll be praying for you.

Your prayers will serve as my greatest strength.

I don't deserve it.

We'll both be waiting for your return.

Both, as in you and Sakubei?

If I include him, it'll be three.

What?

I'm pregnant.

I'll have to succeed on this big assignment.

Uesugi Kagekatsu was still unable to quell the revolt

by former vassal, Shibata Shigeie.

Furthermore, the standoff with Sassa Narimasa in Etchu

was in a very delicate state.

Sanada Masayuki's representative is here.

Go in.

ECHIGO - KASUGAYAMA CASTLE

You've got the gall to show your face!

Did you think we forgot about the Sanada's betrayal?

No, sir!

Show me your face.

You're Sanada Nobutada's son.

Thank you for your hospitality then.

I'm actually not Nobutada's son.

My father is Sanada Masayuki.

My name is Genjiro Nobushige.

You really had us fooled.

NAOE KANETSUGU

He can't be forgiven. Let's slay him.

Get into position!

Wait.

He's piqued my interest.

Lord!

Speak your mind.

The Tokugawa are building a castle at Ueda Plains now.

Yes, I know.

It's to prepare for their invasion of Shinano.

The Sanada will occupy it when it's completed.

Aren't the Sanada planning to attack Kokuzo-san Castle?

That's only a front.

What do you mean?

It's actually a castle to oppose the Tokugawa.

You've lost me.

The Sanada will never serve the Tokugawa.

The Sanada has fiefs in Chiisagata, Shinano,

and Numata in Kozuke.

It's a land that we fought hard for and won.

And?

The Hojo and the Tokugawa split our fiefs without our consent.

We cannot accept that.

And?

We have our pride!

We would like to defend our samurai honor.

Are you asking for my help?

That won't happen even if hell freezes over!

Enough of your madness!

We are not expecting aid.

What is it that you want?

Please put on an act!

Pretend you are going to battle!

Pretend to go to battle?

The Sanada will attack.

Please do an excellent job in repelling us.

That's ridiculous.

What happens after that?

With momentum from defeating the Sanada,

we'll make it seem as if you'll next invade the Hojo in Kozuke.

Then the Hojo can't be bothered with Numata.

That is the purpose of the battle's pretense.

-Interesting. -Lord!

-It's just an act. -No!

You could be killed.

Yet you came.

In light of your courage,

I will go along with it.

Thank you!

He was an unexpectedly interesting lad.

Well, he's Sanada's son.

It could be some kind of conspiracy.

He's not that kind of man.

Lord, you are too trusting.

Should I have slain him?

I didn't say that.

It's unwise to have the Sanada as an enemy now.

I know that.

If the Sanada joins the Tokugawa-Hojo alliance,

we could lose Kokuzo-san Castle and all of northern Shinano.

In that case,

let's test him out.

To see if he's sincere or not.

If they trick us again,

then I must lack competence.

Father!

Why are you here, Sanjuro?

I rushed over for I was worried about you.

Idiot!

This is my castle!

Even if I die, I won't hand it over to the Hojo!

Please rest assured.

Sir Genjiro will repel the Hojo shortly.

What?

Archery squad, up front!

Ready.

KOKUZO-SAN CASTLE

Sanada force number 500.

Don't let your guard down!

The Sanada can't be taken lightly!

The Uesugi army isn't making a move.

Notch the arrows!

Get into position.

Don't shoot yet!

Blow the horn!

Blow our horn, too!

Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

He's coming this way.

Young Lord.

Retreat!

Do the victory shout!

Do the victory shout!

This is a cheap trick.

News of the Sanada's attack on Kokuzo-san spread like wildfire.

The Sanada was crushed.

We must be wary of the Uesugi's future movements.

Rumors have it they may advance troops to Kozuke.

We must rush the completion of the castle in Amagafuchi.

Did you hear?

The Sanada attacked the Uesugi's Kokuzo-san Castle.

They were defeated instead.

The Sanada are idiots.

This is no laughing matter.

What?

With that momentum,

the Uesugi are headed this way.

Why?

To regain Kozuke, why else!

The Uesugi are coming?

-Is that true? -Yes, it is.

Damn Kagekatsu.

He's come back to life.

What shall we do about the Numata invasion?

I didn't think the Uesugi had such strength left.

Withdraw the troops at once to regroup.

Yes, sir.

I won.

It's my defeat.

Though not as strong as in the past,

the Uesugi in Echigo was still a formidable power.

The Hojo army gave up on Numata for the time being,

and withdrew.

Genjiro, good job.

You had the Hojo withdraw without engaging in battle.

-Impressive. -Thank you.

Genzaburo and Genjiro.

The credit goes to both of you.

The Hojo won't make any moves for a while.

Lord.

The Hojo...

Again?

They're making their appeal about Numata.

They are asking you to persuade the Sanada.

That's not my problem!

The Lord is preoccupied with the west.

When Hideyoshi invades,

he wants to know who will be his allies and enemies.

To focus on the west,

you should remove any threats in the east.

Namely, Sanada Masayuki.

It's about time we killed him.

-Sakubei! -Young Lord!

Ume!

What's the matter?

I resolved the crisis without getting anyone killed,

using my own strategy!

Congratulations.

I owe it to you.

-I don't deserve credit. -No! I owe it to you!

Ume.

Yes.

You are someone I need in my life.

I am happy to hear that.

Will you marry me?

I've been waiting to hear that.

Please wait here.

Yes.

Sir Honda!

Am I the only one who was invited?

That's right.

My lord will be here shortly.

She's pregnant?

I'll take her as my wife.

This is truly auspicious!

I am so happy.

Have a drink.

Nobushige was unaware of the approaching crisis.

END OF EPISODE 10

PREVIEW

Genjiro, congratulations.

I won't approve of it!

I'm surprised. I thought you were marrying Kiri.

Sanada Masayuki fooled me.

I'll take this opportunity to kill Masayuki.

Are you planning to shed blood at the wedding?

NEXT EPISODE: WEDDING