Original subtitles

TAIGA DRAMA

KURODA (KODERA) KANBEI

OTATSU

OTATSU'S FATHER, IBUKI ZEN'EMON

Otatsu, the young lord is here!

Sir Kanbei!

Please stop by later!

For delicious rice cakes!

Father!

You can see all of Himeji from here.

That side is Gochaku.

That's Akamatsu's Tatsuno.

Our Himeji is in the middle.

KURODA (KODERA) MOTOTAKA

Our duty is to protect Gochaku from Akamatsu.

Yes.

Lord Kodera of Gochaku wants you as an attendant.

I know that.

Do you understand what it means?

Although we received the Kodera surname, we are still outsiders.

The lord doesn't trust us entirely.

I'll be a hostage.

I am prepared.

Don't jump the gun. Listen to the end.

That's your bad habit.

Listen.

The Gochaku vassals have strong hereditary ties.

For us outsiders to survive, we must work harder.

Yes.

A warning. Don't be self-assertive.

The nail that sticks out gets hammered.

I'll keep that in mind.

WRITTEN BY: YOICHI MAEKAWA

MUSIC: YUGO KANNO

NARRATION: SHIHO FUJIMURA

CAST

KURODA (KODERA) KANBEI: JUNICHI OKADA

MANKICHI (YOUNG KANBEI): KIRATO WAKAYAMA

MORI KOHE: SANSEI SHIOMI

TAKENAKA HANBEI: SHOSUKE TANIHARA

OKON: SAKI TAKAOKA

KUSHIHASHI SAKYONOSUKE: TORU MASUOKA

IBUKI ZEN'EMON: ISAO BITO

SHIBATA KATSUIE: YOSHIMASA KONDO

DOTA GOZEN: NAOKO OTANI

KURIYAMA ZENSUKE: GAKU HAMADA

MORI BUHE: MASARU NAGAI

KUSHIHASHI SAKYONOSHIN: NOBUAKI KANEKO

OTATSU: NAO MINAMISAWA

ODA NOBUNAGA: YOSUKE EGUCHI

KURODA SHIGETAKA: RAITA RYU

KODERA MASAMOTO: TSURUTARO KATAOKA

KINOSHITA TOKICHIRO: NAOTO TAKENAKA

KURODA (KODERA) MOTOTAKA: KYOHEI SHIBATA

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: TAKASHI NAKAMURA

DIRECTED BY: KENJI TANAKA

GOCHAKU CASTLE - 1561

I am Mototaka's son, Kanbei Yoshitaka.

LORD KODERA MASAMOTO

You look sharp like your father.

Isn't that right, Sakyonosuke?

Yes, sir.

I'm Kushihashi Sakyonosuke.

KUSHIHASHI SAKYONOSUKE

I met you when you were a toddler.

You've grown up well.

I'm incompetent, so please give me guidance.

You needn't worry.

His son, Sakyonoshin, is also my attendant.

Sakyonoshin, train him well.

Yes, sir.

KUSHIHASHI SAKYONOSHIN

MORI BUHEI

- Kanbei! - Yes?

I've heard a lot about you.

Your family sold eye medicine.

You're the third-generation head for the Kuroda family.

Yes.

Most of the Gochaku key vassals are relatives.

My father, Sakyonosuke, is the lord's cousin.

Tanabe here is of the Kodera lineage.

You are the only outsider.

Work hard at your job.

What was that about?

Don't let it bother you.

Every day at this hour,

light this lantern first.

Yes.

It's the Lady.

KODERA MASAMOTO'S WIFE, OKON

You're new.

My name is Kanbei. I am honored to meet you.

Work hard.

I lose.

You're good, Kanbei.

Thank you very much.

Mototaka wouldn't beat me though.

Don't bite the hand that feeds you.

I am only joking.

Let's play another game.

Yes.

Did you summon me?

Yes.

I have business to tend to.

Keep Okon company.

Yes, sir.

Okon, I'm leaving now.

Please be careful.

Please be careful!

How happy he looks.

Do you know where the lord went?

No.

To his concubine.

He should honestly say so.

He prefers younger women.

I'm aware of it.

He is being considerate.

The fireflies look beautiful only when you're young.

At a closer look, it's just a dirty insect.

Well…

Aren't you Mototaka's son?

That's right.

In short, a hostage.

Yes.

I am also a hostage.

I married the lord as proof of my father's loyalty.

It was the same for my mother.

Was?

She died of illness.

Fireflies live 20 days, cicadas for three.

Life is short.

How strange…

That dirty insect

looks so beautiful from afar.

TATSUNO CASTLE - 1562

The following year,

Lord Akamatsu Masahide of Tatsuno invaded Kodera territory.

ISHIKAWA GENGO

Alright!

It's finally time!

I promised my father I would not disgrace the Kuroda name.

- I'm ready, Buhei! - Young Lord!

- Let's go! - Alright!

This was Kanbei's first battle.

Otatsu!

Here they come.

KANBEI'S GRANDFATHER, KURODA SHIGETAKA

Sir Kanbei!

Mototaka, where is the enemy?

The enemy's van, about 200, is 2.5 miles west by the mountain.

Led by Ishikawa Gengo.

Ishikawa, huh?

That traitor!

Lord, please let me be van!

Refrain, Sakyonoshin!

Your duty is to stay near the lord and protect him!

Please make an exception!

I'll take the enemy's head for sure this time!

- Please! - Refrain!

Let him!

Sakyonoshin! I admire your spirit!

- Fight bravely! - Yes, sir!

Your son is promising!

Let us teach that Akamatsu a lesson!

Off to battle!

Watch, Kanbei.

I'll show you how it is in battle.

Kanbei.

Fulfill your duties well.

Certainly.

Shoot!

Attack!

Sakyonoshin!

What's going on?

I believe we have the edge.

Lord! This was my playground as a child!

I'll be the lookout!

All right! Go!

Yes, sir!

You're trembling.

You, too.

It's from excitement.

Sakyonoshin!

Ishikawa Gengo, prepare to die!

Withdraw!

Attack!

Withdraw!

After them!

They're being lured.

- It's a trap! - Trap?

If half advances and half retreats, they're luring you.

- Buhei, warn the lord! - Okay.

Hurry!

They're here!

Shoot!

Retreat!

After them!

Retreat!

Damn!

Father!

This is a trap!

Sakyonoshin is pursuing them without realizing it!

What?

That fool!

We must save him!

Wait! A careless move could get us killed, too!

But we can't abandon him!

I know of a secret path!

Secret path?

- Lead the way! - Yes, sir!

Sakyonoshin!

Is that Kanbei?

Kanbei! Stay back!

Attack!

Kanbei!

- Stay by me! - Okay.

Retreat!

The enemy is fleeing!

It's our victory!

I did it. I distinguished myself.

Fool!

If it weren't for Kanbei, you would be dead now!

Mind your own business.

Lowly eye medicine dealer.

Kanbei.

Let's go.

Yes.

You did very well for your first battle.

But I was useless in actual combat.

If it weren't for Uncle, I would be dead now.

With experience,

you'll be as strong as your uncle.

I couldn't come close.

Don't be weak-kneed.

As the heir to Himeji Castle,

you have to distinguish yourself.

What does a woman know about battles!?

It's not just me.

Everyone in Himeji wanted you to distinguish yourself.

Who wanted him to come home safely even without

distinguishing himself?

I don't know.

I miss this view!

You haven't returned to Himeji in a while.

Are the conditions harsh as an attendant?

I'm serving close to the lord. It's not harsh.

I'm proud of my job.

For the young lord of Himeji to work in Gochaku

means you're a hostage.

It's the fate of a samurai.

But there are all kinds of hostage situations.

My late mother was a hostage.

But she wasn't unhappy.

Father was kind to her, and everyone loved her.

Though it was a short life,

I'm sure she was happy.

I agree.

I didn't expect it to rain!

It's like that time.

What?

Remember that time?

Please make me your wife.

I'll make you my wife.

Forgive me.

Are you cold?

Caught a cold?

You returned soaking wet. Where did you go?

- The beach. - Beach?

Why there?

I just wanted to see the beach of Himeji.

I'll be going, Grandfather.

Come by again.

I will.

Who are you?

Darn!

Please pardon my rudeness.

I'm Zensuke from Kuriyama Village.

Why did you attack me?

I heard you were a wise man,

but without military skills, so I tested you.

Please make me your vassal.

The Kuroda look at talent, not status, when they hire.

I may be of humble birth,

but I'll surely prove useful.

Young Lord, I am worth a hundred men.

What an interesting man.

Make him your vassal.

I can't.

I don't have the means.

Don't think short term.

Don't lose the chance. It may never come again.

Please!

Return to your village.

No… I'm not giving up yet.

You're worth a hundred men?

Don't make me laugh!

I just started. It's only natural that I'm weak!

Just wait! I'll become stronger than you!

Stop talking big.

NEAR MINO BORDER

After unifying Owari,

Oda Nobunaga started his invasion on Mino

by attacking Saito Tatsuoki's Inabayama Castle.

However…

Lord!

Your life is in danger. Please withdraw.

Let's retreat for now.

Retreat!

Lord!

Lord, you're alive!

Gonroku, are you that surprised I'm alive?

SHIBATA GONROKU KATSUIE

What are you suggesting?

Never mind!

We'll regroup and attack again!

If I want to go to Kyoto and take command,

I can't be struggling with Mino!

Nobunaga fell into their trap.

The Saito army employed the Ten Sided strategy.

ENCIRCLEMENT AMBUSH

The entire army lies in ambush.

When the enemy invades,

their escape route is cut off, and they attack full force.

Protect the Lord!

There's Oda Nobunaga!

Brother, how do you feel?

NOBUNAGA'S BROTHER, ODA NOBUYUKI

Oda Nobunaga!

NOBUNAGA'S MOTHER, DOTA GOZEN

Nobuyuki!

How could you!?

You're a demon!

Nobuyuki…

Do you want me to die?

But I can't afford to die here!

Lord!

Lord, you're alive!

Monkey?

Lord, the enemy has retreated.

What did you do?

Please look there.

These men live along Kiso River.

They prepared all the torches and flags up there…

KINOSHITA TOKICHIRO

…to make it appear as if the castle were attacked.

I was afraid I may be too late…

I'm happy to see you alive!

- Monkey. - Yes.

Are you that happy I'm alive?

I live for you!

I lost this time.

But I will get Mino!

- Retreat. - Yes, sir!

What's wrong, Tokichiro?

The Saito army has a brilliant strategist.

Strategist?

INABAYAMA CASTLE

You got fooled by the torches and flags?

The enemy is smart.

Damn them!

We almost had Nobunaga!

LORD SAITO TATSUOKI OF INABAYAMA CASTLE

We'll get him for sure the next time.

Yes, do that.

This man will guide Kanbei

into becoming a strategist.

His name is Takenaka Hanbei.

TAKENAKA HANBEI

In Harima,

Kodera and Akamatsu made peace through Mototaka.

KODERA MASAMOTO AKAMATSU MASAHIDE

However, Akamatsu was secretly plotting an attack

on the Uragami clan's Murotsu Castle.

A messenger arrived at Gochaku Castle one day

with a request to form an alliance with Uragami.

Lord, this is our golden opportunity to gain an edge.

That would be ideal.

That's true.

Wait. Don't decide in haste. Isn't that so, Mototaka?

Exactly.

Allying with Uragami will only anger Akamatsu.

Mototaka, when did you become weak-kneed?

Now is the time! We can't be sitting idle!

In these times, a truce means nothing.

If I may humbly speak…

Allying with Uragami means war with Akamatsu.

Kanbei!

Let him speak.

Go on.

Yes, sir.

The Uragami fief, Murotsu, faces the sea,

and is a strategic sea route.

If we ally with Uragami,

Akamatsu will feel cornered and attack us.

Novice! What do you know!?

If we dally out of cowardice, Akamatsu will take Harima!

- But that would…! - Refrain!

Lord, what is your decision?

You all have valid points.

The decision is…

very difficult to make.

A month later,

Kodera Masamoto decided to ally with Uragami.

The two families would be bonded through marriage.

What's happening with the marriage with Uragami?

A princess from the Kodera relatives

will be chosen as a bride.

Just like me.

That is the fate of a samurai's daughter.

Kanbei, do you have a woman you love?

What?

If so, don't let her go.

Or you'll regret it for life.

Sir Kanbei.

Otatsu… what are you doing?

Cleaning.

Do you have time?

Yes.

Did you hear?

Hear what?

Oh, Young Lord.

- Otatsu. - Yes.

I talked with your father last night.

Otatsu will be marrying into the Uragami family.

Otatsu…?

She'll be adopted by Lord Mototaka.

Then get married.

Hearing that Gochaku has no princess of suitable age…

I asked from my side, to be of service.

I think that would be best for Otatsu, too.

If…

Even if Otatsu were to marry you,

she wouldn't be fit for you.

You are of different status.

Otatsu will feel small.

What did Otatsu say to it?

She readily agreed to my request.

Are you…

sure?

Yes.

I'll be helping the Kuroda family that I'm indebted to.

You said even a hostage could find happiness.

I vow to become happy.

The Uragami and Kodera are forming an alliance.

It's a matter of perspective.

We won't be restrained now.

We can demonstrate the Akamatsu power.

But we've failed once.

We must plan well.

Who said anything about attacking Kodera?

NEW YEAR'S 1564

TATSUNO CASTLE

MATSU

Target Murotsu Castle!

Their guard is down with the wedding!

We'll crush the Uragami!

MUROTSU CASTLE

Young Lord!

Young Lord!

The Akamatsu army is headed for Murotsu!

A flower's life is short.

So is a human life.

It was an era in which only the strong survived.

The people prayed for the wars to end.

END OF EPISODE 2

We should raise an army and crush Akamatsu.

There aren't many men who live by duty.

PREVIEW

Attack!

Kanbei!

Tokichiro?

Takenaka Hanbei?

Claim rule!

Don't waste your life!

You're a disgrace!

Sir Kanbei is my…

NEXT EPISODE