Original subtitles

Toei Company, LTD Presents

Lord Tokugawa leyasu

Cast

NAKAMURA Kinnosuke

KlTAOJl Kinya

SAKURAMACHl Hiroko YAMAMOTO Kei TAMURATakahiro

ARlMA lneko

Directed by lTO Daisuke

Father, please cancel Odai's nuptials.

Not again!

l know her marriage is a pledge of peace after a decade of war

between our Mizuno clan and the Matsudaira Clan.

Then...

But l can't agree.

We were forced to declare peace only because

the powerful lmagawas are Matsudairas' allies.

- Nobumoto! - Father!

This is humiliating!

Ratherthan send Odai to Okazaki,

we should join forces with the Oda and fight the Matsudairas and the lmagawas.

Don't you pity your daughter Odai?

Both clans have already agreed to this.

We can't go back... Just let it go.

You know that your brother Nobumoto

has been opposed to this marriage from day one?

Yes, l know that Brother favors the Odas over the Matsudairas.

Since he is young, that is only natural.

As our pledge of peace to our enemy Matsudaira...

No, of surrender, we are offering you to them.

As your father, l am also ashamed.

Forgive me, Odai.

l don't think about it that way.

As a woman, l will have a child when l marry.

l will have a strong child.

That child will not be Mizuno nor Matsudaira.

He will consider both Okazaki and Kariya.

He will be a great man who will control everything around him.

Please believe that and be patient.

To believe in her children

is the only happiness for women in this world.

l'm marrying Matsudaira

so l will have an exceptional child.

December 26, 1542.

Takechiyo Matsudaira the future Tokugawa leyasu is born.

He was born in the year, time and day of the Tiger.

He was thought to be the reincarnation of

the patron saint of the samurai

and his renown spread far beyond Okazaki.

This patron saint statue is not for Takechiyo.

But for the mother who bore the child

as a token of my great joy.

Pray to it so that Takechiyo will always be protected.

Thank you. l will revere it always

and pray for Takechiyo's valorand victory.

Yes, l heard.

Please get well soon, my wife.

- My Lord. - Yes?

Refrain from speaking to her directly.

My lady is still not fit for your company.

Okay. Forgive me.

This is a good trick to keep the men away.

l wish to speak to Lord lmagawa.

Ujizane, take my place.

A message from SirTahara.

The Mizunos have sided with Oda.

lt's not been a month since his father died.

Even before that, Nobumoto opposed his sister's marriage to Matsudaira.

He was already talking about siding with Oda.

l remember.

To prove his loyalty, Oda's first step will be

to order Mizuno to attack Lord Matsudaira.

We have to help the Matsudairas.

Which means we must attack Mizuno in Kariya?

Yes, but before that, we should ask Matsudaira

for a token of his loyalty to us.

Well...

Hirotada's wife is Mizuno's sister.

She already has an heir named Takechiyo.

That could make Mizuno and Matsudaira allies

and both clans could side with Oda.

You're right.

Sessai, what should this loyalty token be?

Let's see...

That will work.

Gyobu.

Take this as a gift to Matsudaira.

As Lord lmagawa sees it,

the Matsudaira clan is like this ball.

A ball will roll ever which way.

lt may roll to the east or roll to the west

but whatever you do will have consequences.

A ball!

He likened me to a ball that he kicks!

Utanosuke, you say...

You say l should take this humiliation?

Yes, Sir.

Damn Yoshimoto! Although we are weak

and we kowtow to them for their support,

this is too much!

- Utanosuke. - Yes?

l don't want the castle or the territory.

lf l'm prepared to lose everything...

Lord, you mustn't!

- You mustn't. - Why not?

Think of your vassals.

They have served the Matsudaira in life and in death.

They say the lord-liege relationship

lasts three generations. From your ancestor Chikauji,

many of us have served for eight generations.

Are you able to ignore this unbreakable bond?

The spouse relationship last but two generations.

So l should hand Oda over to Lord lmagawa as a token of my loyalty?

Yes, Sir.

Since you are the head of the main family

and the head of the clan of the Mikawa territory.

So l should get rid of Odai?

That is so.

You mean Odai must...

Yes, Sir.

Odai...

Yes.

As you say, Sir.

You've heard about this Sunpu business?

Yes.

Your brother can't forget the humiliation

of having you marry me because he lost.

Now he has sided with the Odas.

With their backing, he is trying to destroy us.

What would you do if you were me?

l would attack them before they attacked me.

And what would you do before you attack?

To show my resolve,

l will kill the Kariya woman.

lmagawa says if he doesn't see that,

he won't send help even if l'm attacked by Kariya.

Do as you see fit.

l will obey the samurai law.

And if l say l won't kill you? What then?

Then l will obey the law myself.

You would kill yourself?

- Yes. - Father!

Father? Your medicine.

Oh good boy, good boy.

You favor your mother. So, whose child are you?

Your father's child? Oryou mother's?

Whose child are you, Takechiyo?

l am the tiger's child.

Sir Uemura wishes to see you.

Let him come.

Sir Sugiyama is here as Lord Mizuno's envoy.

What does he say?

l speak to you as your brother.

Turn your back on lmagawa,

honor your ties with Kariya and...

lt's all right. Go on.

...And side with the Odas.

Damn Nobumoto! How dare he!

l'll see the envoy. Take me to him.

- Takechiyo? - Yes.

What is it, Mother?

l want to look at you so that l won't forget you.

l want you to look at me so that you won't forget me.

We only have a few days together, now.

Why, Mother?

Swear you will treat Odai with samurai etiquette.

Etiquette?

l mean in accordance with the samurai code.

l, Sugiyama, promise to do so.

You swear?

Report to Lord Mizuno what l say.

l am the head of the Matsudaira clan.

l will not abandon my vassals for my wife.

Then what will happen to your wife?

As per samurai etiquette!

My wife, do not die.

No matter how hard life is for you after we divorce.

You have to live both our lives for us.

Live so Takechiyo will have a parent.

lf you remain my wife, l would have to kill you

to demonstrate my loyalty to the lmagawas.

My Lord!

l could never kill you.

That is why l am returning you to Kariya.

Wherever you are, keep a watch on our child.

Promise me, my wife.

l know it's hard for you to go to your brother.

lt's hard but... persevere.

l do not have long to live. Listen to my wish.

Do it for the future of Takechiyo.

Take the statue that protects our son

and leave Okazaki immediately.

For the sake of our child... our child.

Please stop the carriage.

l have a message for you from your brother.

Thank you for coming to welcome me.

No, you are to go straight to Nagoya.

l will accompany you.

- Nagoya? - Yes.

She will not go to the Kariya castle first?

That's right. Lord Tanjo Oda in Nagoya castle

wants to see the Lady right away.

Wait. ls that Lord Mizuno's order?

Of course. He is already in Nagoya, waiting.

- Depart at once. - Wait.

She is the Lady of Kariya.

Refusing her entry to the castle

and rushing her off is an insult.

lnsolence! Men!

lt's the Lord's order. Depart.

Go!

No matter how hard life is for you after we divorce.

Live so Takechiyo will have a parent.

You have to live for him, for me.

And they tell me l'm too hasty.

But she was divorced yesterday and today she meets heirgroom.

Lord Mizuno, l hope you are as efficient in war.

So you're the lady of Kariya?

Yes, my name Dai. Nice to meet you, sir.

You are as beautiful as they say.

Here, Lord Sado!

She is too good for you.

lf you treat her badly, l will take her from you.

Lady?

Yes?

This is the Lord of Agui Castle, Sado Hisamatsu.

He is single.

He doesn't even have a mistress.

He is truly a bachelor.

By her brother's order,

Odai was married to Lord Sado.

His castle, Agui, was situated at the neck of Chita peninsula.

lt supported the Odas advance castle, Ansho,

and along with other castles near there

surrounded the Okazaki territory.

Oda's attacks on Okazaki were frequent and

Lord lmagawa's Sunpu,

which the Matsudairas relied on as an ally

was too far and roads too hard to traverse.

And Lord Matsudaira was on his deathbed.

Fall, 1547.

On the riverbank outside Sunpu Castle...

Those executed were the Ouchi clan's 13 children who were hostages

and made examples of as Ouchi, an lmagawa ally who

tried to switch and side with the Hojos.

13 children... How decisive of you.

Well Abbot Sessai, even as examples...

- lf you're going to do it... - l agree.

Those with hostages who pretend to be loyal

will have been taught a lesson.

Those would be Ariyoshi, lgarashi, Ebina...

This means we can't be secure even if we hold hostages...

- You're right. - Lord lmagawa.

l just remembered l've been careless.

There's one we should have a hostage from.

lt's from Matsudaira in Okazaki.

That's just lmagawa's excuse.

lt's Sunpu's far fetched idea.

- To study? - Listen.

ln the first place...

Sessai Zenji is no scholar. His title is honorific.

- He's notorious. - As a villain.

He's worse than the wordily monks.

- Yes. - l agree.

You're right. But he does have the title.

Takechiyo will have a good education if he studies under him.

That's their excuse.

That's also Sessai's evil scheme.

That goes without saying.

That's why they won't say they want a hostage.

They say he will be an honored guest.

Do you think we can refuse?

Can we officially refuse this request?

This is awful. Heartbreaking.

The Lord is ill.

Takechiyo will be taken away.

The castle's main pillar is being pulled down.

But we have to endure. We have to bear it.

There's nothing else l can say to you.

We're made to attack the Oda forces.

We are the ones with the casualties.

They sit far away, asking us to protect Mikawa.

And they won't even send reinforcements.

We've put up with all of that.

Because we were waiting for the day Takechiyo will grow up and lead us...

And now they want to take him to Sunpu!

Okazaki's heart is being ripped out.

What does our Lord say?

ls he going to let them take him hostage?

Has our Lord agreed to this?

- lshikawa Yoichiro. - Here.

- Amano Shichinosuke. - Here.

- Abe Tokumaru. - Here.

- Hiraiwa Suke-emon. - Here.

- Hiraiwa Sannosuke. - Here.

- Matsudaira Yoichiro. - Here.

- Tamano Matagoro. - Here.

- Matagoro. - Yes?

You are 11. Of the 7 chosen to

accompany Takechiyo to study in Sunpu you are the oldest.

So l ask you to speak for all the others here.

Why do you carry this sword?

lf our lord is attacked or insulted we will use it to kill that person.

What if you are not able to help him?

l will commit seppuku as an apology and die.

l applaud their intentions...

but they are all children.

But no matter how little,

as long as you carry a sword, you are a samurai.

lf something happens, you will have to know the etiquette for seppuku.

So l will ask your leader Yosozaemon

to teach you the proper way to commit seppuku.

Everyone, pay attention.

- Takechiyo. - Yes.

A time will come when you understand.

The pain in a father's and mother's hearts

when they have to let their child go.

Takechiyo has no mother.

Not now. You don't have one now.

But your mother...

l don't know my mother.

- When you were three... - l've forgotten.

You really don't remember your mother?

The person who gave birth to me

and the person who left me are two different people.

lt's someone l don't know.

That's not fair to your mother.

Takechiyo... Because l was not strong, l couldn't let your mother stay here.

And now, l must let you go as well.

Because l'm not strong, l must make you...

Reporting! Everything is ready.

Father!

So you're going?

Yes, l will be going.

One, l will bear everything.

Two, l will bear everything.

Three, l will bear everything.

Four, l will take care of my vassals.

These four things l promise to obey.

Who taught you that?

Sir Torii.

He said that's the proper attitude for a hostage.

When l wake and before l go to sleep, l am to say that silently three times.

l see.

l'll be going, then.

Endure all things and be kind to the children.

l will.

Father!

- Takechiyo! - Yes!

l'm going.

Sir Torii, l'm going.

Be well.

After leaving Okazaki, Takechiyo's party is

handed over to the Todas, another lmagawa ally.

Thank you for coming to greet us.

Men!

They pass through Toda territory and was supposed to head for Shirasuga.

This is farewell. Thank you.

Goodbye, young lord.

Goodbye.

Children, take care of young lord.

Stay well, young lord.

And so the party now escorted by the Toda clan

arrived at dusk at Takasu Beach.

Put the palanquin on the raft.

Young Lord.

Young Lord.

What are you doing?

Our Toda clan is no longer with the lmagawas.

lf you resist now...

Traitor!

Takechiyo is a precious commodity.

Until we hand him over to the buyer,

we will not harm him. So don't worry and go.

Wait!

Who's kidnapping the young lord?

The buyer is Lord Mizuno of Kariya, his uncle.

Wait!

Hurry.

Wait!

Young Lord!

Die!

Even when l die, l will protect you from the otherworld.

Farewell.

Young Lord! Please forgive me.

l will die as an apology.

Forgive me.

Our lord has just returned.

You were away for a while. l'm glad you look well.

l was unexpectedly delayed... with reason.

Did something happen in Nagoya?

Takechiyo!

You mean they will execute Takechiyo?

His father has refused to side with the Odas.

Even though we have his child as hostage,

Lord Oda is a hot-tempered man, so...

When? When will they execute him?

lf they so decide, itwill be immediate.

l've been trying to find a way for you to see him but there is none.

Now that you are my wife and l am Oda's ally.

There is no way you can petition to save his life.

My Lord, please...

l know you want to see him while he's alive.

l feel for you. l want to let you see him.

But l don't have the means...

''A man's lifespan is 50 years,

''compared to the life of higher beings above.

''lt's but a dream or illusion.

''Given life in this world...''

- My wife. - Yes?

You should go to Nagoya.

No, to Atsuta.

Where in Atsuta?

To the Great Shrine.

All we can do now is to pray to the gods.

Stay in Atsuta for a while and offer prayers at the Great Shrine.

''A man's lifespan is 50 years,

''compared to the life of higher beings above...''

Want to see us dance?

Get out of the way.

Stop.

This kids are orphans because of the war.

They're not beggars. They have learned to dance

and are trying to earn a living.

Pay them what you will. But please watch them.

Even if you don't want to.

lf you don't, you shan't be able to pass.

How dare you.

- Who are you? - Step aside.

Stand down.

My name is Dai, wife of Lord Sado, of Agui Castle.

l believe you are Kichihoushi, heir to Lord Oda of Nagoya Castle.

You were formerly with Matsudaira of Okazaki.

- ls that right? - Yes.

You are Takechiyo's mother?

That is correct.

So Sado talked!

About Atsuta's abbot, Kato Zusho.

Sir Kato? What is this all about?

- So you don't know? - No.

l believe you.

Then l will tell you. Come.

Oh, Sir Kichihoushi is here.

Hey, Takechiyo.

A younger brother should greet his older brother.

l decided not to be your younger brother.

- Why not? - Because you're a liar.

You say l lied?

- You did. - Yes, you did.

When you met at Kiyosu, you said

you felt a kinship, you'll be his brother.

Young lord said then he'll be your brother.

You said you'll give him a horse to seal the deal.

You're a liar because you didn't give me a horse.

l have a horse waiting outside.

You can't fool me. l want a real horse.

Okay, l'll gift you a real one.

But a horse is not just for show.

When you are old enough to ride a horse,

l'll give you one a promised.

The best horse in Japan.

But you're making cranes like a girl.

That's strange.

lt's an offering to the gods.

What do you want the Atsuta gods to do for you?

Not this god. lt's for the god in Okazaki.

And whatwill you pray for?

You're older but not too smart.

l'll ask to go back to Okazaki very soon.

That's what l'll ask the gods for.

l see.

You want to go back home...

...and see your mother?

- Don't know. - Don't know?

Because l don't have a mother.

- Did she die? - Don't have one.

She's not there.

Don't you miss her?

What does that mean since l don't remember?

You've reminded Toku and Sannosuke of their mother. That's so cruel.

l apologize. Forgive me.

My younger brother has scolded me.

l guess l should leave.

Oh, if you want a toy, l'll have them bring it.

Horse. A horse.

Enough. l got it.

When the time comes for you to ride the horse

and go back to Mikawa, remember your promise of our being brothers.

l won't forget.

You mean the horse.

Now that you've got it, give me something in return.

Takechiyo, give me that gold crane.

This?

Yes. When l go to the Mikawa border to hunt,

l'll fly it towards Okazaki from the hills.

lt may not get to the shrine

but it may land in the hands of your relative.

Sure. Thank you. Horse.

Don't worry about Takechiyo.

He's my charge and l won't let them kill him.

You know, l like that kid. Let's go.

''A man's lifespan is 50 years,

''compared to the life of higher beings above...''

ln the fall of 1549, Hirotada dies at Okazaki Castle.

- What? - Because.

That's why we should rescue Takechiyo from Nagoya Castle.

Now that our lord has died,

without a lord to lead us some of us may waver.

That's why we should raid Nagoya Castle

and take back ouryoung lord...

But what if the Odas find out about this and harm the young lord.

Damn you!

l can't stand this any longer.

We are going to take back our lord Takechiyo

so he can be our lord in Okazaki Castle.

Why do we need to fear the lmagawa's reaction?

No. That's not the point.

We should be talking about

how to take back Takechiyo from the Odas.

And what will we do after we have him?

- Then we'll discuss it. - Now is the time.

Even if it takes all of us, we'll take back Takechiyo!

But how?

We'll go with swords raised and die.

- That's absurd. - Are you scared?

- What? Draw! - Attack.

- Stop. - Stop this.

Please stop.

Stop fighting. You idiots.

We're closer than brothers...

And we're trying to kill each other...

Even before our lord's funeral. Forgive me.

Forgive me.

- lt was my fault. - Thank you.

l thank you for the depth of your conviction

about bringing back Takechiyo.

All right, then l will tell you.

Seniors who usually counsel patience are issuing a call to arms.

Listen well. This is the Seniors' plan

to take back Takechiyo from Nagoya.

- What? - What is the plan?

First...

We will report our lord's death to lmagawa...

We will not discuss Takechiyo nor will we take orders from them.

Takechiyo is our lord.

He's not part of the lmagawa clan.

Forus to bring Takechiyo back and install him in our castle...

- Die, Shinroku. - Yes.

- Chiyari Kuro, die. - Yes.

We all must die.

- Understood. - And what is the plan?

Only Sir Torii knows this risky plan. But...

But one out of five of you will die.

The funeral procession of Lord Hirotada

left the castle and headed 2 miles north

to the Matsudaira ancestral burial grounds.

But a group left the procession,

crossed the Yahagi River,

and raided Oda's advance castle Ansho.

Their purpose was to capture Nobuhiro, one of Lord Oda's sons.

By using the funeral procession as a cover

and by their courage and sacrifice of lives,

this surprise attack succeeded and

the Okazaki samurais captured Nobuhiro.

They proposed an exchange of hostages to the Odas

and the Odas accepted.

Thus the young Takechiyo returned to Mikawa

to be the lord of Okazaki Castle.

l bring news.

What's the matter, Chiyari?

First, let me greet the young lord.

My lord.

We welcome you home. l'm Chiyari Kuro.

Chiyari Kuro. l remember you.

l'm glad to see you are well.

Thank you for your kind words.

Hey, Chiyari. Chiyari.

What's the news?

Abbot Sessai leads a large army

purportedly to welcome young lord home.

They plan to take young lord hostage to Sunpu.

Why?

He said if we don't agree, he'll run over us.

As l said, Abbot Sessai leads the army.

lf we sign this loyalty pledge,

not only Takechiyo, but our wives and children

will be taken to Sunpu as hostages.

But that is not all that we will have to bear.

From this day on, Okazaki castle will be theirs

along with the Matsudaira Mikawa fief.

The fief, too?

lt means that we will be responsible for

feeding the lmagawa occupation army

that will be stationed here against the Odas.

All the income gained from Mikawa

will be confiscated by the lmagawa army.

The only provisions that we are allowed to keep

are harvest from newly created fields

that we reclaim from the forest. Understood?

And how many of us can remain in the castle?

None.

Only Sir Torii can remain as castle magistrate

to do this very sad duty.

He will be responsible for collecting rice

and also drafting soldiers

to be sent to battle the Odas by the lmagawas.

What an awful role.

He will have to acquiesce to the lmagawas and bear their insults.

And think of the day Takechiyo will return.

How long will that be?

How long do we have to wait?

- lt will be long. - How long?

l can say for certain,

l will never live to see that day.

The Okazaki vassals vacated the castle

and in addition to Takechiyo,

selected 7 study partners for Takechiyo

and close relatives of the chief retainers

and sent them as hostages to Sunpu.

lt was November of 1549.

Takechiyo was housed in Linsai Temple

under the tutelage and supervision of Sessai.

Do not be swayed by wealth.

Do not be swayed by wealth.

Poverty must not change you.

Poverty must not change you.

Do not bow before power and might.

Do not bow before power and might.

That is the principle of a good man.

That is the principle of a good man.

Good.

Have a generous heart.

Have a generous heart.

Tread the righteous path.

Tread the righteous path.

Endeavor to do good at all times.

Endeavor to do good...

- Not ''good,'' ''right.'' - Yes, sir.

Endeavor to do right at all times.

lf you have the calling, share with the people...

lf you have the calling, share with the people...

lf not, you shall walk alone.

lf not, you shall walk alone.

lt broke Takechiyo's heart to think about

the young lord and young vassal hostages

in a similar plight who were executed.

And he would secretly visit

the place of execution to pray for the lost souls.

Ma!

Ma!

Wait forme.

Ma! Ma!

Ma!

lf you can't walk, stay where you've fallen.

Such a weak boy, it's just a little scratch

All right. You don't have to come.

Ma! Ma!

Ma! Ma!

Such a weakling!

You call yourself an Okazaki man?

Your grandfather is Honda Heihachiro.

Your father Honda Heihachiro Tadataka

died courteously raiding Ansho Castle.

You are to be the third Honda Heihachiro.

l can't introduce weakling to Takechiyo.

Just stay there and die.

Ma!

What's the matter?

He hurt his leg during the trip.

He's complaining that he can walk, it hurts.

Where are you going?

l'm going to see women hostages from Okazaki.

Perhaps you can tell me.

ls it far to Takechiyo's mansion?

lt's still some ways. l'll help him.

Please, leave him be. You must not help him.

Don't do that. Let him be.

Thank you.

Saya, widow of Honda Heihachiro and son Nabenosuke to see you.

Ma, look, it's him.

No need for greetings. We've already met.

- Come in. - Yes.

My lord!

l hear you bring something from Okazaki.

l thank you.

Yes.

We call it Mikawa cotton since it's grown there

but the seeds come from outside the fief.

The seeds come from only one place.

From Kitagori in Owari fief.

- From Owari? - Yes.

Yes, it's from the castle town of Agui.

A lady from Agui asked me to bring this to you.

You must know the lady l am referring to.

No, Maybe l knew her, but l've forgotten her.

She herself spun the cotton from Mikawa,

wove the cloth and stitched the garment

for the lord of Mikawa, living so far away.

lt's warm, like the outpouring of her heart.

ln 1551. Kichihoushi, renamed Nobunaga,

succeeds his father, then goes on to gain control

and becomes the head of the entire Oda clan.

He moves from Nagoya to Kiyosu Castle,

opens markets in the castle town,

and makes Kiyosu the center of commerce.

Monkey! You're back again.

What else do you have forme?

The heavens above, hell below.

Everything in between, l have here.

And where did you get things from?

From Suruga?

Sunpu. lmagawa.

l see. And Takechiyo?

Oh, here. He's set up shop here.

- Are you going to buy? - What do you think?

What about the shop?

l've got a helper.

Hey, Tora. Wake up.

We've got customers.

Welcome. We've got the best needles from Kyoto.

One for 5 mon, 5 for 20 mon

About Takechiyo, he's coming of age,

so the retainers are badgering Sunpu

to return him as Lord of the castle.

How old is he now?

Let's see. l believe he's 14.

Yes. lt's already 7 years since his mother

came to Atsuta to pray for his life.

You mean his mother from Agui?

- Monkey! - Yes?

Excuse me.

A message from Lord Nobunaga.

Details will be relayed by his messenger.

Tokichiro told her about

Takechiyo's coming of age ceremony and how

the vassals were desperate

to get Takechiyo's back to Okazaki Castle.

Odai was uncertain about the motives of Nobunaga

and his kindness to her and her son.

What?

What? Aren't you ashamed?

ls that how you act as an Okazaki representative?

Why didn't you tell them outright?

That we will conduct the coming of age ceremony

here at Okazaki Castle, Takechiyo's castle.

That's the priority. His marriage is secondary.

l did. l repeated it many times.

But Okazaki Castle is under lmagawa control.

They said, ''Do you mean to chase out our rep

''so you can place Takechiyo there?

''Are you vassals refuting lmagawa rule?''

Then why didn't you go to the second option?

We will obey lmagawa rule but give us a firm date

when Lord Takechiyo will be returned to us.

lf l could, l would have.

So why didn't you?

l made the judgment that was not appropriate.

Shut up. That's why l say you're spineless.

You've failed as a messenger.

- What? - Yeah. Take that.

Wait.

How shameful. Don't you have any patience?

l'm glad my father-in-law and husband are dead

so they're not witness to this shameful behavior.

You've gone too far.

Shut up, woman.

Restrain yourself.

No l won't. This is outrageous.

You're drawing swords about personal matters

at this very important meeting.

ls this right? lf you're men, that's excused?

lt's a man's pride.

Pride is not formen only.

Rememberthe hardship when Sunpu took over.

The hardship is not just on the men.

Women and children have suffered in ways men know nothing about.

That's why we shouldn't bear it any longer.

Listen. When the Suruga army came

the foot soldiers invaded our homes

and having loot valuables

they raped the women and children.

Farmers wives, raped in front of their husbands

bit through their tongues and died.

Some went crazy giving birth to unwanted children.

Retainers wives put soot on their faces so they wouldn't be raped,

or kneeled before the soldiers.

Only a woman knows what it's like.

And every day, the constant search forfood.

Clothes for the family for each season.

Even if people didn't eat, we had to keep the horses well fed.

Have you heard any of us complain about it?

What woman has said this is enough?

Let's hear it.

No matter how long it takes,

until Takechiyo returns to the castle,

and Okazaki is prosperous again,

we're all prepared to bear this hardship.

lf you think what you're doing doesn't insult us,

l won't stop you. For this so-called man's pride

go ahead and kill each other.

Kill each other until you're satisfied

and while you're at it, kill me as well.

Ma!

Don't hesitate Kill me.

l don't want to live under silly men like you.

Ma!

Madam, forgive me. lt's my fault. l was wrong.

The coming of age ceremony

was conducted by Yoshimoto himself,

on the condition that Takechiyo marry his niece, Princess Seno.

Motonobu Mastsudaira is now his adult name.

lf in secret, you wish to send a gift,

there are ways, so please do not hesitate to ask.

That is what lord Nobunaga has said.

l am deeply moved by his kindness.

But l am the wife of one of his vassals.

So although appreciate his kindness, l can't.

But one day, if my son, as in lmagawa warrior

becomes an enemy charging into Lord Oda's camp.

As a mother l want a word with my son.

l ask that he promise he will let me do that.

l will let him know.

Are you sure, Motonobu? Do you really know,

what is means for your future

marrying Yoshimoto's relative, Seno?

Did you accept, having thought about your future?

l am not long for this world.

l am not a clan member or his warrior.

l am but an abbot who by chance was your tutor.

So listen well to what l have to tell you.

ls your loyalty with Okazaki or with Sunpu?

Your father is dead and your mother remarried.

You no longer have ties to Okazaki.

Your marrying Seno means you'll be an lmagawa.

Your children will half lmagawa.

You will be plated by blood to the lmagawas.

Even then, will you want to return to Okazaki?

Can you, and what happens when you do return?

Are yon prepared forthe consequences?

Are you Okazaki orlmagawa?

1558-1570

ln the beginning of 1570, lmagawa tells his vassals

he will go to Kyoto in the summer.

That meant with his army of 40,000

he would conquer neighboring lords

go to Kyoto and receive permission to rule Japan.

This, the ambition of all lords of the period,

lmagawa was now poised to put into action.

Sir.

Sir Fujii's vassal, Tokichiro Kinoshita is here to see you.

Sir Kinoshita, this way.

Please wait until the children are done.

Father, good night.

- Good night. - Good, good.

Good boys.

Monkey!

l didn't want to lose to Motonobu who married after l did.

l didn't want to lose to Motonobu who married after l did. So l made it a point to make sure that didn't happen.

So l made it a point to make sure that didn't happen.

Four boys and a girl. He has a boy and a girl.

l've won where children are concerned.

So?

The lmagawa army formation is pretty much as expected.

There seems to be no change.

Where's Motonobu?

There were rumors he'll remain in Sunpu as backup

but he has been included in the march.

- Are you sure? - Yes.

But he's just lmagawa's attendant, nothing more.

That's strange. l don't like it.

l don't understand.

Although you may know everything,

the tactics of war are very different.

No, no, l'm right. l'm right about this.

Watch Motonobu like a hawk.

Yes, l will.

That's why l put you under Sir Fujii.

Use your men to report Motonobu's every move.

When does the army leave?

End of the rainy season, as expected.

Keep a close eye on Motonobu's movements.

Yes.

End of the rainy season. Only 20 more days...

May 1st, 1570, June 4th on the new calendar.

Yoshimoto lmagawa gives orders to depart.

Takechiyo, be well.

lf something happens to me, become a brave samurai warrior.

Look, there's Mt. Fuji!

You're right. lf an army of 40,000

were to attack us from both highways...

The only way is to hold up in the castle.

But if we were to do that, can we expect Saito's help?

There's no way we can hold up without their help.

We can't just open up and surrender.

That goes without saying.

l'm opposed.

What other way is there?

Butwe can't...

That's totally unacceptable.

So, if we are to hold up, we need the Saito's help.

So there's no other way, then.

You cowards!

Whit do you mean?

Stop this.

Holding up in a castle...

There never has been a case where

holding up in a castle when attacked has led to victory.

lf we can't win, there's no use holding up.

We should just surrender from the start.

But that's out of the question.

- l will go out and fight - Out? From this castle?

My lord. lf you go out and fight, how will you protect Kiyosu Castle?

l won't.

l won't leave a single man here.

lf we win, we'll need a castle to return to.

l don't need a castle to flee to when defeated.

Empty tile castle and all men will go and fight.

We go out, fight and win.

lf we can'twin, we will lose and die.

Once that's decided,

let's strategize on how we can win.

That's what l'm trying furiously to find.

My Lord Do you have a strategy?

Against their force of 40,000 we have less than 3.000 men to stop them.

lf l had a sure fire plan for victory, l wouldn't be asking for your advice.

l need a plan that has a remote chance of success.

l won't ask you to trust me.

l ask you to trust my fate.

All right.

So you do see?

l really do.

What do you understand?

l will accompany you to death.

Old man, you're a quick study.

That's right. No one can live to be 100.

lt just means we'll die a little earlier.

A man's lifespan is 50 years

compared to the life of higher beings above

is but a dream or illusion.

Until we find a way for an army of 3,000

to defeat a force 40,000, we're adjourned.

lt's been 10 days since lmagawa started marching.

Where is his main army now?

On the 12th, he reached Fujieda

the 13th Kakegawa, the 14th, Hikuma...

now Hamamatsu, at the Gosha Shrine...

Your grandfather attacked the Oda clan

at the Owari Castle but could not defeat him.

Your father battled the Oda clan all his life.

Tomorrow, we will reach Mikawa.

Since we are entering Matsudaira territory...

- Motonobu? - Yes, sir?

Facing an enemy of two generations for your clan,

sending some other warrior ahead of you

would shame your clan and ancestors.

That l will not do.

Gatherthe Okazaki men who share the same grudge

and go immediately to attack Kiyosu.

l anoint you with the waters from the gods

for victory and give you your orders.

Motonobu Matsudaira.

You will lead the infantry into battle.

Thank you for bestowing upon me this honor, sir.

Banzai.

That's the Matsudaira lord.

lt's Motonobu.

Why has he returned to Okazaki Castle with so fewmen?

So, if he's not going to Okazaki Castle...

Where is he going?

l know. The ancestral temple, Daiju Temple.

l said don't follow me.

This isn't for women and children.

You wait for us here.

l didn't come back to be welcomed by you as the lord of Okazaki Castle.

l come back to you

who have been waiting formy return,

bearing countless hardships,

to ask you for your lives, to die with me.

l have been ordered to do so.

When we left Sunpu, l was merely included

as one of lmagawa's attendants.

l did not have an army, nor a position.

He kept me guessing as to his true motives

and finally when we approaches Mikawa,

he suddenly ordered me to lead the infantry.

That was his intention all along.

His malicious intention was to make me lead

an army of my vassals into certain death.

And furthermore, he played his vile trick

at the great shrine of our ancestors,

which gave me no choice but to obey.

l know his intentions.

lf l don't distinguish myself in this battle,

the castle and fief will never belong to me.

With that incentive, he wants me to advance

and if l die, that will be fine with him.

He is sending me to my death.

l have a wife and children who have lmagawa blood in them.

l ask you.

Am l an lmagawa or am l an Okazaki?

My Lord.

Do you need to ask?

No, don't say a thing.

Each of you, ask yourself that question.

And come up with the answer yourselves.

For me, whether l am an lmagawa oran Okazaki,

the answer to that question lies deep within my heart.

Fourteen years ago,

on route to Sunpu as a hostage,

l was captured by the Oda clan.

The children who had been chosen to accompany me

including Matogoro, his brother Shichinosuke

Suke, Yoshichiro and Yoichiro...

All committed suicide then and there.

Jinbei, those were your children.

Yourson, Matagoro was the first to die.

His brother, Shichinosuke and the younger ones

will followed his example.

Aki! Old man. Your grandson, Yoshichiro

left-handed as he was did himself proud.

You, you are an old lady, Hiraiwa.

Your nephew Yoichi...

...even Yoichi...

...died ...all of them.

l made a promise to myself.

l will never forget what they died for.

l will not let their deaths be in vain.

As long as that oath is alive within my heart,

l am, like them, a child of Okazaki.

Now and until l die, l am a child of the Okazaki.

l will live and die with them.

- SirTorii. - Gramps.

lt's only a matter of days? What does he mean?

He may die any minute.

He would like to see you gloriously march forth.

Watch. Bring me my armour.

This belonged to my father-in-law.

He received it from your grandfather.

lt is the lchinotani helmet.

This will give you his luck in battle.

- Please accept it. - Yes, thank you.

l, Magonosuke Honda, offer it to you.

He says, now that you know lmagawa's intentions

play his game and beat him at it.

The Okazaki people are a hearty lot.

Look to Lord Oda who with his 3,000 men

are prepared to face an army of 40,000.

l know.

Tokichiro's messenger, come forward.

Monkey's messenger? What do you have forme?

Here are the details.

Having being ordered to lead an infantry,

Matsudaira and his Okazaki army are advancing north on Okama highway.

So he's coming... to Narumi.

lf he advances to Kiyosu, the neck of Nagoya,

that will be my thousand-in-one chance.

Victory l can win.

l don't know the details

but the Okazaki army will be attacking.

l am to take message from you to the young leader.

That's the promise made by my master's master to you.

l was told by him to get the message from you.

l'll accept the kind offer of your master's master.

Please ask him to deliver this to Takechiyo.

Reporting! The vanguard of the Okazaki army

has arrived in Otaka and is entering the castle.

Reporting! The monk at Zenshoji reports that

the attack against Fort Washizu was begun by Asahina's army.

Where is Tokichiro?

Not here yet.

l'm here. l've just returned.

Come closer.

We've won. We can win.

Haven't you figured it out yet?

No. Please tell me.

Although Matsudaira has 2,000 men,

he can only rely on the handful of Okazaki men.

lf he loses them, he cannot wage war.

You've seen what lmagawa has done to Okazaki for the past dozen years.

lmagawa made the Okazaki men fight us,

after he'd taken away their castle and fief

bud didn't risk any of his own men to help them.

lt's as you say.

lmagawa is about to taste his own medicine.

Motonobu is young but very smart.

He will never sacrifice a single vassal who's

served for generations for lmagawa.

And what will he do?

He will hold up in Otaka.

He will hold up and defend the castle.

He will not come out to challenge me.

l will not challenge him.

The enemy thinks l will attack.

So while they think l will attack Otaka,

l will bypass Otaka and head south.

The lmagawa main army spread thin along 34 miles of highway.

l'll attack lmagawa's main camp.

Reporting! Reporting!

Reporting! Asahina's mobile troops are heading to Narumi.

They're here?

Reporting! From Fort Narumi.

My Lord! My Lord!

He comes.

The vanguard of the Okazaki army

has reached Fort Narumi and is setting fire.

And Washizu...

Fort Washizu is also on fire.

Report.

From Fort Nakajima.

Lord Kajikawa and his men have all perished.

What time is it?

lt's about 9:30 P.M.

Which means without help, before dawn,

Fort Nakajima will also go up in flames.

While the enemy's attention is there,

l would like to cross the Kurosue River... but how?

Because of the position of the moon, the tide goes a mile north of Narumi.

lf we wait for ebb tide to cross the Kurosue River...

Where and what time?

l know everything between Heaven and Hell.

Leave it to me. l will go check.

But there is not a second to lose.

Right. Then l will take a nap until then.

Tell my men to rest as well.

ls this the article Lord Oda's vassal asked you to deliver?

Yes.

lt's from the lady from Agui.

''Takechiyo. Give me that gold crane.

''l'll fly it towards Okazaki from the hills.

''lt may not get to the shrine

''but it may land in the hands of your relative.''

Mother.

Mother! How foolish of you!

Are you telling me not to forget the kindness

Lord Oda showed me when l was a young hostage?

Now that you are in Oda's camp, are you trying to persuade me to join?

You can't sway me.

As you will rival Lord Oda to conquer the land,

childhood friendships should not be considered.

l am sending you a gold crane.

Cut it to sever all your ties

and go forth in battle with a clear heart.

Although l am your mother yet not your mother,

please know that l pray for you,

that you will have luck and be victorious.

Mother!

Dear Mother!

May 19th.

The tides obey the laws of nature.

The Kurosue River crossing point

will be lowest on May 19th, 1570 at 2:00 am.

Reporting! Sir Tokichiro reports that

the ebb tide will be in about 2 hours.

All right. Bring the ceremonial sake.

Yuki.

- Prepare your drum. - Yes, sir.

Prepare my horse Bring my armor.

''A man's lifespan is 50 years,

''compared to the life of higher beings above

''is but a dream or illusion.''

My Lord! Your horse is ready.

- Nagato! - Sir!

l only know this Atsumori dance.

You've seen it so often you must be tired of it.

This may be the last time you see it.

lt may be the last time l dance it.

Since this may be the last time,

l permit you all to sing with me and watch me dance.

- Appreciate it, sir. - Thank you, sir.

''A man's lifespan is 50 years,

''compared to the life of higher beings above

''is but a dream or illusion.''

''Given life in this world...

''but never to die but never to die

''is just a dream or illusion.''

''A man's lifespan is 50 years,

''compared to the life of higher beings above

''is but a dream or illusion.

''Given life in this world...

''but never to die but never to die.

''A man's lifespan is 50 years,

''compared to the life of higher beings above

''is but a dream or illusion.

''Given life in this world...

''but never to die.''

Strike! Win! Felicity!

l will eat the ogre.

Now onward to battle.

Sound the battle call.

Get my horse!

Hey, hey, over there.

Hurry. Scatter. Be sheltered under the trees.

Go back.

Here we go.

Followme.

What's happening?

lt's raid. lt's the Oda army.

My Lord. Quickly.

l, Shinsuke Mori, have killed lmagawa.

Where is Lord Oda?

Take me to Lord Oda.

The Oda army made a raid at Okehazama.

What happened?

The main camp was wiped out.

Lord lmagawa has been killed.

Lord lmagawa has died.

Where is the Oda army?

On Kamakura Highway, with our master's head.

They have taken his head?

Which way are they headed? North? South?

Straight north from Okehazama.

They are headed for Kiyosu.

Who's pursuing him? Who?

- No one. - What?

Not a single person.

Reporting! Reporting!

What is it?

The lmagawa army is in disarray.

Old man. l'm going.

Where?

l'm chasing the Oda army. Make preparations.

The lmagawa army is decimated.

Oursmall Okazaki band are the only troops to challenge the Odas.

- This is foolhardy. - Utanosuke.

This is not about winning or losing.

They have taken the head of our leader.

lf we don't even try to take it back,

we are not worthy of being Okazaki samurai.

l'm going. Bring my horse.

Followme.

Motonobu Matsudaira. l'm here to see Lord 0da.

Now that l have it, l have no need for his head.

But did you think if you demanded it,

l would give it to you for old time's sake?

Of course not.

Then if l said l wouldn't, will you take it by force?

- l will make the effort. - What?

lf it became known that among the 40,000 troops,

no one had gone to reclaim the lord's head,

it would bring shame to the lmagawa samurai.

This is foolishness! You are outnumbered.

What if l tell my men to kill you now?

Then that's the end of me.

Although as a hostage, l am indebted to lmagawa.

lf for that debt, l am killed and people talk about it, so be it.

lf l said l will give it to you, what will you give me in return?

l have nothing to give you.

l can but promise you something in the future.

l can't give you the head. However,

there is a promise made to you that l've not kept.

l'll fulfill that promise here.

l'll keep my old promise and make a new one here.

Where is Lord Mizuno of Kariya?

Here l am.

You and Matsudaira are uncle and nephew.

You will be the witness to our agreement.

The promise is a horse.

When you were in Atsuta, 14 years ago,

you begged for a horse...

Oh, that promise.

lt's been 14 years since then.

l will keep that promise today.

And with Lord Mizuno as witness, a new...

No, let me keep the old promise first.

l'll give you that horse.

Also the thing that's hanging from the spear.

You can take that, too.

You don't mean...

But, it's not free.

lt is the price of our new promise.

lf you agree, then take it with the horse.

Even if you return the head, that would not settle matters.

You must tell them when you're returning to Sunpu.

l am remaining here.

Until when?

l will not leave.

You won't?

l will not return to Sunpu.

- What? - My Lord!

Do you knowwhat you're saying?

This is my castle. lt is your castle.

lt belongs to you all, and all of the Okazaki.

lt no longer belongs to the lmagawa clan.

Now that it is back in our hands, l'll not let it fall into other's hands.

My Lord, but your heir is in Sunpu.

Also your daughter and your wife.

Are you saying l should return to Sunpu?

Or are you saying that the hostages in Sunpu,

your wives, children and relatives

are more important than Okazaki Castle?

lf that's the case, l will abandon Okazaki.

l am nothing without your support.

- l will do as you say. - My lord.

lf we told you to abandon Okazaki, would you?

l will.

And you'll go back to Sunpu?

- No, l won't. - What?

There's no place for a lord forsaken by his vassals.

There's only one place l can go.

To the ancestral burial grounds to join them.

My Lord!

Listen to me.

l will give you my wife and children.

ln exchange, give me your wives and children.

My family and your families

will be executed on the riverbank as examples.

They're not being killed. We're letting them die.

Even with that sacrifice,

l won't give away the castle or land to others.

My lord? l understand lmagawa as an enemy.

But who are the others?

Of course, the Oda.

- No. No. No. - What do you mean?

The Takeda clan to the north. The Saito clan in Mino.

We are surrounded by adversaries.

Then how do you propose we survive?

There is but one. No one else.

l'll neither depend on gods nor ask Buddha for help.

Just one. l am relying on you.

Rely on us then. You may rely on us.

But what lies before us...

...Are rain and storms, snow and ice.

Let's try to get through that to see what's there.

lf we don't try, how would we know?

Only the spirits of our ancestors know what lies ahead.

The End