Original subtitles

Men come into this world, and some enjoy longevity.

Life is fleeting and unpredictable,

like drifting clouds.

On May 14, 1606, the Lord of Tatebayashi Castle,

Sakakibara Yasumasa died. He was 59 years old that year.

By coincidence, on the same day in Fushimi Castle,

Lady Nishigori suddenly died. She was also 59 years old.

And then, on June 1st at Edo Castle,

New Shogun Hidetada's second son was born!

He was named "Kunichiyo."

He was two years younger than the Shogun heir, Takechiyo!

AOI Tokugawa Three Generations

Episode 21: "Peerless Father"

Original Story and Screenplay: James Miki

Music: Iwashiro Taro

Original Subtitles JN Productions, Inc

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles Kame Fansubs

CAST

Tokugawa Hidetada NISHIDA TOSHIYUKI

Toyotomi Hideyori ONOE KIKUNOSUKE

Acha MITSUBAYASHI KYOKO

Yuki Hideyasu OKAMOTO FUJITA

Matsudaira Tadayoshi TERAIZUMI KEN

Okubo Tadachika ISHIDA TARO

Ono Harunaga HOSAKA NAOKI

Ochaa GODAI MICHIKO

Honda Masazumi WATANABE IKKEI

Honda Masanobu KOYAMA SHIGERU

Ohatsu NAMINO KURIKO

Tokugawa Ieyasu TSUGAWA MASAHIKO

Mito Mitsukuni/Narrator NAKAMURA BAIJAKU

Kodai-in KUSABUE MITSUKO

Ofuku KIKI KIRIN

Katagiri Katsumoto KOBAYASHI NENJI

Yodo OGAWA MAYUMI

Ogou IWASHITA SHIMA

Producer: Kawaii Junshi

Director: Ozaki Mitsunobu

How was the Noh performance?

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The nobles were delighted as well.

Kyoto - Nijo Castle

They start to complain if they are not entertained well.

I understand you plan to build a palace for the Imperial Court.

I received an Imperial command to build the Sento Palace.

Sento Palace?

Namely, a retirement palace.

Then the Emperor's successor will be Prince Hachijo?

Prince Hachijo is the Emperor's younger brother.

His Majesty has bypassed his natural son...

to make his brother successor.

I believe he has trampled on ancient tradition.

Ancient tradition?

Suden, what do you think?

Writs of the ancient practices say...

regardless of his position in government,

the eldest son is next in line.

But people say Prince Hachijo should be the next Emperor.

No doubt that's the influence of wicked nobles.

I, Ieyasu, will recommend that...

His Majesty's son, Prince Kotohito, become Crown Prince.

How old is Prince Kotohito?

He is eleven, My Lady.

Many disagreements will probably arise.

That is why I am asking your help, Lady Kodai-in.

Please recommend Prince Kotohito for successor...

to nobles whom you know.

I am only a retiree.

Please, My Lady.

Lord Ieyasu...

I ask that you grant me a favor as well.

Anything you wish, My Lady.

At the Noh performance,

I met Vice Major Counsellor, Kujo Tadahide.

Kujo Tadahide?

His wife Sadako is the daughter of Hashiba Hidekatsu,

nephew of Taiko Hideyoshi.

Please show consideration to Lord Tadahide.

Then someday...

he could be useful to you.

I shall, My Lady.

Kujo Tadahide was soon made Captain of the Left Guard.

This was all due to Lord Ieyasu's powerful political influence.

Tadahide's wife Sadako was the daughter of Ogou...

and earlier husband, Hashiba Hidekatsu.

Edo Castle

On September 23, 1606,

New Shogun Hidetada and his wife Ogou...

moved into the new palace in Edo Castle's Main Compound.

Osaka Castle

If the great Taiko were alive,

the Tokugawa's arrogance would never be tolerated.

Please forget that.

"Forget?"

The Tokugawa winds blow mighty now.

If they resist the winds, even the strongest trees fall.

If you bend like the willow, the winds will soon abate.

Bending will not make the winds cease.

Lord Ieyasu intends to blow Hideyori down.

Impossible.

Ohatsu?

Yes?

If war should break out, whom will you join?

Osaka or Edo?

I won't join either side.

What?

I will stand between them,

and give my life to stop the fighting.

I hardly think so.

Please forget about fighting.

For Ogou's sake and Princess Sen's as well!

Lord Ieyasu provokes it.

You are stubborn as well!

"Stubborn?" That's absurd.

Toyotomi honor can be saved if you will step back.

I cannot bow to a traitor.

You must believe the Taiko's power has ended with him!

Don't be insolent!

Is that what Lord Kyogoku says?

No, it is what I ask.

Is that because you adopted Ogou's daughter?

That's a separate matter.

That's absurd!

Your husband, Lord Kyogoku, betrayed Ishida Mitsunari!

Sister!

On November 4, upon arriving in Edo, Ieyasu inspected the palace at once.

Is this the grand hall?

The sliding doors were painted by Kano artists.

Quite sumptuous.

It's thanks to you, Father.

This is wonderful.

It's truly befitting a new Shogun.

Thanks to you, Father.

All that remains is the tower.

Make it no less grand than the one in Osaka.

Yes, Father.

Also...

Gorotamaru and Nagatomimaru...

were made nobles, Junior 4th Rank, Lower Grade.

Oh, that's wonderful.

Gorotamaru is Yoshitoshi, Captain of the Middle Guards.

Nagatomimaru is Yorimasa, Vice Minor Captain of the Inner Palace Guards.

Fine titles, don't you think?

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

We'll have nothing but good fortune.

A second son was born to the New Shogun.

Okaji is pregnant with my child.

Your 16th, isn't it?

You can't beat me yet.

Oh yeah, we've also staked out the area for Sunpu Castle.

Excellent, Father.

Where's Takechiyo?

Bring Takechiyo here.

Unfortunately, Lord Takechiyo is not feeling well.

Smallpox?!

No, we believe it is the flu.

Masazumi!

Take some medicine to the West Compound.

That one... Powdered deer antler...

And the one I mixed...

That one... Korean ginseng!

Takechiyo

Take you medicine.

Your loving grandfather mixed these potions himself.

Here, Young Lord.

Heaven will punish you if you refuse.

Bear the bitter taste.

- Pardon me! - Quiet, please.

Her ladyship has come.

How is he?

Is he feverish?

Her ladyship is speaking to you! Answer her.

There is nothing to fear.

We heard he vomited his food.

Yes.

When?

Last night.

What does the physician say?

He should be better after a few days' rest.

Why didn't you inform us?

You, the wet nurse to the Shogun's heir,

neglecting to inform us! It's outrageous!

You will be punished for this.

Never mind.

Ofuku is being impudent!

Takechiyo?

It's Mother.

I must wipe you.

On December 24, Ieyasu's 6th son, Matsudaira Tadateru,

married Date Masamune's daughter, Princess Iroha.

Lord Tadateru was fifteen. Princess Iroha was thirteen.

On New Year's Day 1607...

Ieyasu's 5th daughter Princess Ichi was born at Edo Castle.

It is your child, My Lord.

I know. I know.

Who would have dreamed I'd have a child at the age of 66?

It is truly your child.

Yes, she's mine, indeed.

I had hoped she would be a boy...

No, a princess is fine.

A princess is fine.

Oichi will bring extraordinary good fortune.

Please...

Don't abandon her.

Here, here...

Stop that.

My Lord?!

What's the matter?

My chest...

Father!

Father...

I'm still alive.

But, I'm dying.

What are you saying?

Your Excellency...

He must have complete rest.

You went hawking once too often.

Someone has placed a curse on me.

Curse?

It could be Yodo.

Or, perhaps... Konoe.

Konoe Nobutada, Father?

I forced him to resign as Chancellor.

There are many who despise me!

That is enough talk for now, Your Excellency.

No...

Stay here.

Father...

What?!

Lord Ieyasu?

He is extremely ill.

Are you sure of this?

It is reported that Lord Ieyasu paid no New Year's calls.

Nor did he participate in any New Year's events.

Tokugawa hereditary vassals are hastening to Edo Castle.

So Heaven has finally punished him?

Sir Katsumoto...

What should we do?

First, we must send a messenger to pay a sick call.

That is not what I mean.

I'm referring to the plan we discussed earlier.

Pardon me, My Lady...

Lord Ieyasu is still alive.

This is suspicious!

The government must be hiding the Old Lord's death.

For what reason?

That I don't know.

But, they also concealed the Taiko's death.

That was during our war with Korea.

Even if he is alive, he is 66 years old.

I doubt he can recover.

Perhaps...

he is only pretending to be ill.

Pretending?

Ieyasu is a sly schemer.

He might be watching to see what the daimyo will do.

Sir Katsumoto!

Find out... the truth of the matter!

Yes, My Lady.

Hidetada...

I'm here, Father.

Come closer.

If I should die...

what will become of the country?

Tell me.

Without your guidance Father,

the land could be embroiled in war again.

Fool!

You are the Seii Taishogun!

War? That's unpardonable.

What were all my hardships for?

Why did I build Edo and establish the shogunate?

If you allow the shogunate to fall,

I will come back from beyond and haunt you.

Listen carefully to what I'm going to tell you.

You, too, Masanobu!

Shut Toyotomi Hideyori in as a 650,000 koku daimyo.

Yes, Father.

Keep watch over the daimyo.

Transfer any troublemakers to another fief.

Abolish those who defy you.

Plant Outside Daimyo in a pot.

In a pot, Father?

Prevent them from taking root in a single area.

But, the Date and Shimazu are different.

Treat them as kinfolk...

eventually to give them the Matsudaira surname.

Yes, Father.

Next...

in dealing with the Court...

keep the reins on them.

Should nobles gain strength, suppress them.

Should they weaken, support them.

Prince Hachijo's investiture as Crown Prince...

must never take place!

Lend your support to Prince Kotohito.

Then, give my 5th daughter Princess Ichi...

to Prince Kotohito in marriage to be Empress!

- What? - Princess Ichi?!

What do you think? Isn't that brilliant?

But Father...

I dare not...

It is my dying wish!

Ex-Shogun Ieyasu's plan became clear in his last wish.

It was to control daimyo through force,

and to control the nobles through marriage.

- Pardon me, My Lord... - Louder!

Why did Lord Ieyasu...

object to Prince Hichijo's ascension to Crown Prince?

I don't know for certain.

You don't know?!

No, I really don't know,

but Prince Hachijo was 19 and already had a wife!

Prince Kotohito was only 12 and was not yet married!

Ah, and that's where Princess Ichi comes in?!

Not so loud!

In mid-January, Taiko Konoe Nobutada called at Edo Castle.

"Taiko" was the title of a former Chancellor.

Thank you for coming so far.

Unfortunately, the former Shogun is in bed ill.

I, Hidetada, will hear you in his stead.

I was unaware of his illness. Forgive my rudeness.

Does this concern the investiture...

of Prince Kotohito as Crown Prince?

No, My Lord.

His Majesty wishes to make Prince Hachijo his heir.

Oh... I cannot understand that.

We cannot object to the Emperor's wishes.

Prince Hachijo was the adopted son of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

A vassal cannot become Emperor.

It defies the way of Heaven.

Please reconsider the matter.

True, he was Hideyoshi's adopted son,

but when Lord Hideyori was born,

the Hachijo house was established.

If I may speak, Sire.

Okubo? Speak.

Lord Ieyasu's second son, Yuki Hideyasu,

is the older brother of the New Shogun.

But, because he was adopted by Lord Hideyoshi,

he did not succeed the Tokugawa house!

Third son, Lord Hidetada, became heir!

The Imperial Household is different than the Shogun.

Please hold, Sir.

If the Imperial House, so revered by the people,

should bend the ancient practices,

the very foundation of governance will be shaken.

Aren't you being disloyal arguing against the Imperial Envoy?

Oh, this is all the more puzzling.

If the Emperor should err in judgment,

shouldn't a true vassal risk his life to correct him?

How very true!

Be it Chancellor or Regent,

if a noble serving the Emperor will not correct his errors,

this, certainly, is disloyalty!

I fear I have spoken rudely.

Though I was dismissed as Chancellor,

I have come to Edo...

only to smooth relations between Court and shogunate.

Forgive my rudeness, Sir.

We are vassals of the Court.

Though I say to you what is right in the name of justice,

my reverence of the Court is not one bit diminished.

We have no intention of creating discord.

I am relieved to hear your assurances.

We shall discuss this another day.

Thank you for coming, Sir.

The lord of Owari Kiyosu Castle, Matsudaira Tadayoshi,

hastened to Edo to see his sick father.

Stop!

Tadayoshi has long suffered from tumors.

He was in extreme pain.

Are you in pain?

It is nothing.

You didn't have to come if you were ill.

This is my last duty as a son.

What?

I didn't wish to be late for Father's funeral.

Don't be absurd.

How is he?

Rest assured. He has completely recovered.

Is that true?

Yes, he gets out of bed tomorrow.

What a relief.

Right now, he is more concerned about your illness.

The situation has turned completely around?

You must rest and recover just as Father has.

Tadatsune, look after him.

Yes, My Lord.

Our father is invulnerable, isn't he?

They say ill weeds thrive.

Are you all right?

Are you all right?

He is forever complaining that the New Shogun is too soft.

Isn't that the reason for his longevity?

By no means, Sire.

On occasion, he offers words of praise.

Not to me.

Having the greatest father in the country...

is a hardship for his sons.

I must share that hardship with you.

Huh?

In order to carry on Father's great work,

we brothers must work together.

However...

I will not live much longer.

Don't be so weak!

You are my only true brother!

We are from the same mother. We are but a year apart!

I will never forgive you if you die!

I am overjoyed at your complete recovery, Father.

Congratulations!

Congratulations.

So many of you!

Who can tell children from grandchildren?

Or wet nurse from concubine?

Fool!

You can see that right away!

Who thought I was going to die?

Raise your hands.

- Here... - Never mind.

Children are honest.

I, too, thought I would die.

Nonsense!

I did not die because...

since childhood, I've ridden the plains on horseback...

and made my body strong.

Gorotamaru! Are you listening?

I am Yoshitoshi now!

Oh, Yoshitoshi, so you are...

I am Yorimasa!

We know.

And, the other reason was... medicines!

When you take ill,

you must rest in bed and take good medicines!

I have rare medicines, gifts from all over Japan.

Also from Korea and Annam!

Even some that I mix myself! Right, Ochaa?

Yes, your lumbago tonic was very effective.

Medicines also saved my life.

They even saved Takechiyo's life.

Thank you, Father.

If any of you should become ill,

don't hesitate to ask for some.

My limbs are always cold lately.

That is due to old age.

Oh my...

Tadateru...

Yoshitoshi...

Yorimasa...

Ah, Tsuruchiyo...

Takechiyo, Kunichiyo, Oichi...

All of you, live a long life.

I won't forgive anyone who dies before his parents!

You will be unfilial children!

Where's your answer?!

Yes.

With more spirit!

Yes!

Oroku, help me blow my nose.

Yes, My Lord.

Ah... I'll do it myself.

Thank you for coming to visit me, Father.

You must not lose to an illness.

You made the first strike at Sekigahara!

Fighting and defeating the fierce Shimazu!

The bullet wound I sustained is my pride and joy.

Oh, let me see it!

Oh, it would make any samurai proud!

I must tell you, Father.

What is it?

A report came from Kiyosu.

On February 17 at the archery contest at Sanju Sangendo,

my vassal Ueda Kakuemon hit the target 126 times!

Following Asaoka Heibei last year,

we have taken first place for the second year!

Excellent!

Your encouragement of martial-arts training has borne fruit.

I commend you!

Though I am unskilled, I, Tadayoshi...

I, Tadayoshi...

I am the son of Tokugawa Ieyasu!

Well spoken!

Edo Castle

- Sire... - Huh?

Tadayoshi?

Tragically, Lord Tadayoshi died on March 5th.

He was 28 years old.

Ieyasu received the news on his way back to Sunpu.

Tadayoshi...

Tadayoshi...

He died...

He died instead of me!

Osaka Castle

Have you seen Hideyori?

Where is Hideyori?

Hideyori...

What's the meaning of this?!

Mother, you shouldn't barge in!

You may go.

Forgive me!

How quickly you've grown.

Don't you pity Osen?

Why?

Osen is still a child.

Yesterday she was playing with her dolls.

If you don't like her, we can send her back to the Tokugawa.

Mother!

Listen carefully.

Lord Ieyasu is vassal to the Toyotomi.

But they have changed.

They blocked your appointment to Chancellor...

and made themselves hereditary Shogun...

by establishing a shogunate in Edo.

If we allow this outrage,

they will eventually push the Toyotomi out.

For the honor of the Toyotomi,

we may have to fight them someday.

In that case, why not divorce Osen before she bears children?

I must refuse, Mother.

It's for Osen's own good.

Osen married me...

to bring Toyotomi and Tokugawa closer together.

That was true in the beginning.

She was forced to leave her parents...

and serves bravely in her own childish way.

I could not bear to divorce her...

over quarrels between adults.

So be it, then.

But she will always be torn between two houses.

If you pity her,

yield and reconcile with the Tokugawa!

What?

I will be satisfied as a 650,000-koku daimyo!

I never expected to hear such words from you.

Lord Hideyori!

You are the son of the great Taiko Hideyoshi!

Tragically, for Ieyasu, 1607 became a year of grief and damnation.

Kitanosho Castle

Less than a month after the death of 4th son Tadayoshi,

2nd son Yuki Hideyasu fell to illness.

Hideyasu!

Old Lord!

Hideyasu's condition is critical!

But he was recuperating at Kitanosho!

Suden!

Summon priests! Pray for him!

Pray for Hideyasu's recovery!

Yes, My Lord!

Heaven!

Have you abandoned me?!

We must save him!

He must not die!

No!

To be continued

To be continued