Original subtitles

Here I am again tonight.

Bravo, Mito!

Stop that.

This isn't a Kabuki play.

Among the nobles, those privileged to become Chancellor or Regent...

emerged from the Go-sekke (Five Fujiwara Houses).

They were the Konoe, Takatsukasa, Kujo, Nijo, and Ichijo Houses.

These most illustrious houses of nobility...

were established in the mid-Kamakura Era...

with descendants from the Fujiwara house.

Shattering this honored tradition...

and taking the title of Chancellor for themselves...

were samurai leaders Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Hidetsugu.

My grandfather Ieyasu considered this an outrage...

and returned the title of Chancellor to the Go-sekke.

However, being superior in military and economic power,

the Edo shogunate began a bold intervention in Court affairs.

The Go-sekke were powerful in name only.

Even the title of Chancellor was only a mere decoration.

Wasn't this all part of Ieyasu's scheme?

AOI Tokugawa Three Generations

Episode 23: "Scandal in the Court"

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

Todo Takatora TAMURA RYO

Aoyama Tadatoshi ISHIKURA SABURO

Okubo Tadachika ISHIDA TARO

Honda Masazumi WATANABE IKKEI

Itakura Katsushige SUZUKI MIZUHO

Ono Harunaga HOSAKA NAOKI

Kato Kiyomasa KARIYA SHUNSUKE

Honda Masanobu KOYAMA SHIGERU

Tenkai KANEDA RYUNOSUKE

Ohatsu NAMINO KURIKO

Tokugawa Ieyasu TSUGAWA MASAHIKO

Mito Mitsukuni/Narrator NAKAMURA BAIJAKU

Kodai-in KUSABUE MITSUKO

Fukushima Masanori KANIE KEIZO

Doi Toshikatsu HAYASHI YOICHI

Yodo OGAWA MAYUMI

Ogou IWASHITA SHIMA

Producer: Kawaii Junshi

Director: Ozaki Mitsunobu

In late April 1608, Kyoto Deputy, Itakura Katsushige,

hastened to the renovated Sunpu Castle.

I am honored to appear before you, My Lord.

Raise you head.

The Kyoto Deputy was charged with protecting the Court...

as the chief of police and public safety commissioner.

This was much like the head of the FBI in America.

Do you have any secured information?

If I may say, morals in the Court are exceedingly loose.

The misconduct by the nobles offends the eye.

Such as...?

They indulge in wine and women from broad daylight.

Illicit meetings are an everyday occurrence as well as orgies.

It is lewd and disgusting.

I have heard the rumors.

And, most outrageous of all...

a certain noble is carrying on...

with the Emperor's favorite lady-in-waiting.

Who are these people?

Forgive me, I haven't found out yet.

Investigate thoroughly.

We are doing our best,

but the nobles are reluctant to speak about their own.

The Chancellor says that no Courtiers indulge in illicit behavior.

He says it is outrageous for the Kyoto Deputy to intervene.

The Chancellor says that?

We shall have to replace the Chancellor.

That's right.

The depravity of the nobles angers the commoners...

and could weaken their faith in the government.

Learn every detail of these activities.

Yes, My Lord.

In August, New Shogun Hidetada visited Sunpu Castle...

to inquire about the Ogosho's health.

Sunpu Castle

See that? Make the moat too narrow for a boat to maneuver.

And also make it as deep as the length of a spear.

Make the enemy come close. Then he's an easier musket target.

I see.

The moat around Edo Castle's West Compound is to wide.

You'll waste bullets that way.

Toshikatsu...

If any West daimyo should attack us,

which road would they take?

When Ishida Mitsunari revolted,

the 80,000 troops were divided into two groups.

One group came from the north on the Nakasendo to Ogaki,

the other from the south on the Ise Highway, also to Ogaki.

The Nakasendo and the Ise Highway?

If a revolt begins in the West,

they will come on the same roads.

Where should we engage them?

In the north at Kiyosu Castle in Owari.

In the south at Anotsu Castle in Ise.

Kiyosu Castle and Anotsu Castle?

Excellent!

The New Shogun is blessed with capable vassals!

Thank you, Sir.

We must renovate Kiyosu Castle to prepare.

Next year we will build a massive castle.

And, we must place an experienced daimyo in Anotsu Castle.

True.

Who is a trustworthy daimyo?

Er... that is...

It is Todo Takatora!

I was just about to say that!

What are you saying, Sir?

You don't need to be surprised.

You are promoted from Imabari to Anotsu.

Congratulations, Sir.

Add Iga-Ueno to your fief as well.

Thank you, My Lord!

I ask the New Shogun...

What happens if the enemy should get past Kiyosu Castle and Anotsu Castle?

I would hasten to Sunpu and fight them.

What if they get past Sunpu?

There is not fear of that.

What?

You possess such power,

that even a million foes would flee in fright.

Fool!

I am speaking of fifty, no, even a hundred years from now!

Sorry to keep you waiting. I'll move here.

You are much too concerned with minor points.

You were late to Sekigahara...

because you wasted too much time attacking Ueda Castle.

Win a great victory in the central campaign,

and, even though foes may be left standing,

they will eventually submit.

Thank you, Sir.

Wait, wait, wait...

To the present shogunate, what will be the central campaign?

Who is the foe that must be crushed?

Is it the Toyotomi?

No.

It's the Court.

The Court?!

The Toyotomi have already lost.

Then can do nothing to harm us.

What we have to fear is the Court joining with the Toyotomi.

As you must know, the Emperor is displeased with me.

We are at odds over the successor to the throne.

Why do I object to Prince Hachijo as successor,

and support Prince Kotohito?

You know, don't you?

So Princess Ichi can marry Prince Kotohito.

Exactly.

With ties to the Court,

the Shogun's house will gain even more prestige.

Then our rule will be secure.

However...

If we should fail, shogunate prestige will plummet.

That is why...

you must consider Ichi's marriage as the great battle.

Whatever the risk,

you must insist that Prince Kotohito becomes Emperor.

But the Court abhors any interference by the shogunate.

So you must force it upon them.

If we threaten with force,

we will become enemies of the Court.

Not with force.

With a secret means.

A secret means?

Just wait and see.

Excuse me, Sire...

Enter.

Lord Todo Takatora is here.

Admit him.

I hope you are well, Sire.

Have you come for an urgent matter?

Yes.

You aren't satisfied with your transfer to Anotsu?

By no means, Sire!

What is it?

Lord Hachisuka sends word...

that on his last visit to Osaka Castle,

Lady Yodo sought a writ of loyalty from him.

Loyalty?

That he would never forget his debt to the Taiko...

and swear loyalty to Lord Hideyori.

The she-fox is in a panic.

Perhaps it is time...

to invite Lord Hideyori to Sunpu.

Right.

Osaka Castle

Lord Ieyasu sent an envoy to Siam to buy muskets.

Is that true?

A Sakai merchant told me.

Then he plans to start a war, after all?

That I don't know, but...

he is issuing trade permits to Luzon and Annam.

This is a grave matter.

Didn't Lord Ieyasu retire?

His retirement was only to deceive us.

Everyone looks to Sunpu for directions.

Shogun Hidetada is only a puppet?

Mother...

What is it?

The Young Lord is doing well in Harunaga's mansion.

He nurses well.

Does Osen know?

No, she knows nothing.

Keep this a secret for now.

The truth is...

Do you wish to see your son?

- That's not it. - Then tell me.

I've sired another child.

What did you say?

My maid is with child.

Is it Otsu?

It's Kozue.

That's wonderful!

To sire two children at the age of 16!

That year in December...

visitors came to Kodai-in's mansion in Kyoto.

They were Minister of the Right, Kujo Tadahide,

and his wife, Princess Sadako.

I have received word from the Court...

of my appointment to Chancellor.

How wonderful.

My appointment to Chancellor...

was due to aggressive petitioning by the Ogosho.

I am sure you had something to do with this as well.

Your advancement is Princess Sada's pride.

Sadako's pride is a tribute to the Taiko.

But, the Ogosho's true intent...

is to right the depravity in the Court...

and to get rid of undesirable elements.

I often hear of debauchery among the nobles.

I am reluctant to punish nobles with the shogunate's support.

I fear I might offend the Emperor.

What a strange thing to say.

Even if you should offend the Emperor,

why shouldn't you fight the corruption of nobles?

For posterity's sake, draw the line between right and wrong.

The rumors even involve nobles friendly with the Toyotomi.

There is no need to hesitate.

Thank you very much!

You are the Chancellor.

No matter whom you face,

know what is good and what is evil...

and fully exercise your powers.

I shall, My Lady!

Now, Lady Osada...

Yes?

Your father Hashiba Hidekatsu was the Taiko's nephew.

And you mother is the Shogun's wife, Ogou.

The blood of both the Toyotomi and Tokugawa flows within you.

You serve as a necessary bridge between the houses.

If necessary, you must mediate to keep the peace.

Yes, My Lady.

I, Kodai-in, pray for peace between houses as well.

For men born in the same country to fight each other...

is sheer folly.

Edo Castle (1609)

Ogou...

Good morning.

Good morning.

Rejoice.

Kujo Tadahide was appointed Chancellor.

Eh?

Princess Sada is the wife of a Chancellor.

Osen married a Toyotomi, Otama married a Maeda,

and Sada married a Chancellor.

Your daughters married well!

Thanks to you.

Yes, we have Father to thank.

Princess Kazu... Come onto my lap.

You will soon marry into a prestigious house as well.

Do you want a daimyo or a noble?

A noble would be best.

Samurai wage war.

Don't be unreasonable.

The Shogun is the leader of all samurai.

I cannot sleep for worrying about Osen.

I hear Princess Ichi will be wed to the Emperor.

Who did you hear that from?

From you.

- I did not. - You did so.

- No. - I heard it with these ears.

Oh, did I tell you?

Please don't tell anyone else.

Of course not.

Princess Ichi's marriage has not been arranged yet.

It is hoped that all goes well.

No one, not even the Court, can refuse the Ogosho.

That's right.

That is why we chose another Chancellor.

Huh?

Yikes, I've let another secret slip.

Come, Kazu...

Go and play.

Here is more confidential news.

Takechiyo will take a wife from a Go-sekke house,

and Kunichiyo, from a great daimyo house.

My father, Tokugawa Ieyasu, is a remarkable man.

He is looking fifty, no, a hundred years into the future.

Do you understand?

He will scatter Tokugawa seeds in the Imperial house,

daimyo houses, and throughout all of Japan.

He's like a dandelion.

Dandelion?!

Yes, we are like dandelions.

We must have more and more children.

I'm growing too old!

Nonsense... Nonsense...

Aren't seven children enough?

Yes, but...

- Your Excellency? - Yes?

I must ask you...

Yes?

Do you love our children?

Of course.

Then please build a world with no more wars.

A rule by force will eventually incur hatred.

But, without might, we cannot form ties by marriage.

Marriage ties are fine,

but scattered dandelion seeds can spark the flames of war.

I see.

On February 19, Ieyasu's messenger Honda Masazumi arrived in Edo Castle.

Why are West daimyo renovating their castles?

Investigate thoroughly and discover the reason.

Is one of them Fukushima Masanori?

And Kato Kiyomasa as well.

The Ogosho is exceedingly angry.

Why are they renovating their castles?

Do they expect war to come again?

They question the shogunate's purchase of armaments...

which is causing alarm.

That's absurd!

The shogunate protects the country! Armaments are necessary!

Masanobu...

Investigate this thoroughly.

Very well, Your Excellency.

Next, make certain daimyo send hostages to Edo.

Right!

My Lord...

Since last fall, few daimyo leave their families at home.

With the exception of the sickly,

all daimyo families are moving to Edo.

Oh, that's excellent.

Report it as such.

Very well, Sir.

Next, hurry the land survey...

before Lord Yorimasa becomes lord of Mito Castle at Hitachi.

Very well.

Issue Don Rodrigo a pass to loan Adams' new ship to Spain.

To Spain?

Governor Marinas, who is stationed in Luzon,

is returning home to Acapulco.

Why should we loan him a great ship?

To test whether it can survive the rough Pacific Ocean.

We cannot object if he returns with a shipload of muskets.

Won't the ship be stolen?

If so, we will fight them.

Very well.

Issue a permit to Ron Rodringo.

It's Don Rodrigo.

It's Don Rodrigo, Sire.

The following is highly confidential,

so I will give an oral message.

Fine.

Having inspected Kiyosu Castle with Lord Yoshitoshi,

the Ogosho will build a new castle at Owari-Nagoya.

Owari-Nagoya?!

Please be so informed.

That will be expensive.

Let the West daimyo assume the expenses.

Again?

Until they have depleted their savings.

The Ogosho is really scary!

Why can't a warlord repair his castle?!

We should have reported our plan in advance.

It's a silly accusation.

Nine years after Sekigahara,

beams rot, walls crumble, and roofs leak!

That's understandable.

He regards the West daimyo as enemies!

You are, after all, hot-blooded lords.

Doesn't it infuriate you?

It cannot be helped.

Suspicion arose because we began renovations at the same time.

What do you mean, "suspicion?!"

Don't yell!

I won't be suspected unjustly!

I'll go to Sunpu tomorrow and explain myself!

You will only make him angry.

Fukushima Masanori

What? So, now you're the Ogosho's pet cat?

That's an insult, Sir!

Now, now!

Say, "Meow!"

You must be grateful for Anotsu Castle!

- Silence! - No!

The party's over!

Who made Ieyasu what he is today?!

It wasn't the Ogosho who won at Sekigahara!

It was our troops!

We promised not to mention it!

You're spineless, too!

What did you say?!

Kiyomasa, you're a master builder of castles.

After all your trouble, will you simply tear it down?

No!

I'll crush mine to pieces!

That will also make him angry.

I must retaliate!

I repaired the tower after returning to Hiroshima.

I'll break it to bits!

Suit yourself!

On April 1 Ieyasu ordered Shimazu Iehisa of Kagoshima Castle...

to subjugate Ryukyu. (Okinawa)

After five days, Shuri Castle was taken.

This was also part of Ieyasu's plot...

to deplete the armies of great daimyo.

- Hold, Sire! - What?!

You must not say "plot."

Don't argue with me!

Lord Ieyasu was your grandfather.

I'll not change history for anyone's sake!

Not "change" history!

Merely refrain from using treasonous words.

What's so treasonous?!

He questioned the building of castles, took hostages,

and sent daimyo to needless battles!

Please exercise a little restraint, Sire!

If you anger the Shogun, the Mito will be abolished!

How can scholars learn if they fear abolishment?!

I, Sukesaburo, request a long leave of absence.

What?!

I will suffer eternal shame if I sully the name of the Gongen!

Traitorous vassal!

Pardon me!

Hold still!

I'll execute him! Unhand me!

Come to your senses, Sire!

Someone has died.

Oh, on May 3,

lord of Obama Castle, Kyogoku Takatsugu, died of illness.

Who was that at the window?

Takatsugu's widow, Ohastu.

- Lady Yodo's younger sister? - Right.

Lady Ohatsu shaved her head and is now "Jokoin."

Osaka Castle

I never dreamed he would die so soon.

Pray for him with care.

Thank you, Sister.

How old is the successor?

He's seventeen.

And Princess Hatsu?

Seven, My Lady.

Oh, seven? A little young...

You will be the lady of the Kyogoku house.

Yes.

You must help Lord Tadataka,

and uphold the honor of the Kyogoku.

Yes.

I came here at the age of six.

That's true, isn't it?

Princess Hatsu will go to Edo now.

To Edo?

Daimyo wives and children must live in Edo as hostages.

Hostage? But Ohatsu is descended from the Tokugawa.

Ogou will be very happy!

Will you go to Edo as well?

No.

I will remain at your side as a bridge to the Tokugawa.

That is very reassuring.

You have a fiery temper. I cannot leave you alone.

You will advise me?

Mother...

Why wasn't I taken hostage?

The Toyotomi are not daimyo.

Hideyori is the heir of the great Taiko.

Do you also wish to go to Edo?

No.

I am Lord Hideyori's wife.

Mother!

Kozue has given birth to a princess!

A princess?!

I wish to call her "Princess Yui."

Princess Yui?

"Bind" from "betrothal gifts" and "paper tying cord."

Oh, that's a fine name.

Thank you, Mother!

This must be kept secret.

I understand.

Then, on July 4,

a serious scandal was exposed at the Kyoto Imperial Palace.

Before the Kyoto Deputy can report scandals in the Court,

they become the talk of the town.

If they are neglected,

a serious problem could arise.

The masses are merely envious.

The shogunate is exaggerating to create dissension.

Surely there is more behind it.

It arises from the former Shogun's conceit.

He is attempting to manipulate the Court.

The shogunate is being insolent...

to participate in the affairs of the Court.

They were originally our guards.

The Chancellor must not be controlled...

by the ambitions of the former Shogun.

Whatever the former Shogun's designs,

the depraved behavior of the nobility is a fact!

I say to the Chancellor...

No person alive...

is unaffected by affairs of the heart.

That holds true even for nobility.

So true. Since time immemorial,

men have fallen in love with women,

and women, with men.

Indeed, isn't it love...

that heightens beauty and fosters the soul of elegance?

It is when one loves...

that he can compose beautiful poetry.

How can one compose fine poetry without having loved?

Illicit love affairs are disdained by all,

and bring shame to the nobility.

Even illicit affairs are love affairs.

Let's send a knowledgeable person...

to tell Lord Ieyasu about "The Tale of Genji."

I don't know what the fuss is about,

but Lord Tokugawa must learn that love affairs...

have been the glory of the Court since time began!

Then I say to you...

We are listening, sir.

Is an affair with the Emperor's concubine...

surely not immoral?!

To engage in adultery with an attendant of the Throne...

Is that not the height of treachery?!

Stop, sir!

You are before His Majesty!

That is why I speak!

Lord Tadahide!

Have you gone mad?!

This is the scandal that has provoked the rumors!

You must not believe such rumors.

They are not rumors!

Please...!

This is a report by Kyoto Deputy Itakura Katsushige!

Emperor Goyozei

Tadahide...

What did you just say?

I am denouncing the traitors...

who cause you pain, Your Majesty.

Read the report.

You may mention names.

Tadahide...

Many nobles have engaged in illicit affairs...

with Imperial concubines.

Witness to this was Inner Palace gatekeeper,

Lord Kaneyasu Bingo-on-kami.

The evil courtiers are named as follows...

Councilor Karasumaru Mitsuhiro!

That's a lie!

Silence!

Left Vice-Middle Captain, Oimikado Yorukuni.

Left Vice-Minor Captain, Kazannoin Tadanaga.

Left Vice-Minor Captain, Namba Munekatsu.

Right Vice-Minor Captain, Tokudaiji Saneshisa.

Right Vice-Minor Captain, Nakamikado Munenobu!

The ladies illicitly engaged with these men are as follows...

Naishi-no-suke, Lady Hirohashi.

Gon-no-suke, Lady Nakanoin.

Naishi-no-jo, Minase.

Bausgu-no-jo, Karahashi.

Myobu Sanuki.

The guilty nobles in this unprecedented scandal...

were dismissed from office.

The guilty ladies were shut up in their own mansions.

Overcome by the shock,

Emperor Goyozei took to his bed.

Lax!

Of all things!

They stole the Emperor's own concubines.

And the guilty ones were respected courtiers!

Could any scandal be worse?!

Shameless and despicable!

True.

They should all be crucified upside-down!

But what happens?! Dismissal from office!

Mere confinement?

Jolted by the disgrace,

the Court probably wishes to settle this quietly.

That's preposterous!

The depravity of the Court is excessive!

What should be done, Sire?

Send Shigemasa to the Kyoto Deputy!

Allow no cover-up!

The guilty parties should be dragged to the Sanjo riverbed...

and beheaded!

Yes, Sire.

My Lord...

What?!

No matter what happens, you must not destroy the Court.

Destroy it?

I wish to destroy the insects that eat at the Throne...

and clean out the Palace.

Is that so disagreeable?!

Kyoto Deputy's Mansion

Therefore, I ask for immediate custody...

of the guilty lords and ladies.

Please, not that, sir.

Won't you comply?

The lords, perhaps...

but an Imperial order is required to release ladies.

It is the Kyoto Deputy's duty to protect the Court.

Imperial matters are not a concern of yours.

Then...

I ask that you state their punishment!

His Majesty is ill. He has yet to decide.

The Ogosho says...

all guilty parties must be executed.

The shogunate should not interfere!

Silence!

Though Lady Hirohashi is your daughter,

it is shameful, sir, to lessen her sentence!

While I, Itakura, am alive,

I will deal harshly with any wrongdoers!

They're infuriating!

They make a fool of the Emperor...

and hide behind his authority.

Outrageous!

They leave me no choice!

Drag the women to Sunpu in the name of the shogunate!

I'll cut off their heads!

They should be cut to pieces!

Push and push...

until we succeed!

We must not withdraw!

To be continued

To be continued