Original subtitles

I want to ask you...

If the Shogun produces no heirs,

one may be chosen from the Tokugawa, Owari, or Kii house.

That was Lord Ieyasu's last will, wasn't it?

That's correct, My Lady.

Then, what will become of Tadanaga?

Huh?

If 3rd Shogun Iemitsu has no sons,

shouldn't he make his brother Tadanaga the 4th Shogun?

That was not Lord Ieyasu's wish.

What?

Only sons of the Three Houses were eligible,

that of the Shogun, Owari or Kii.

"The eldest must succeed?"

Yes.

I thought the Three Houses were Owari, Kii, and Mito?

No...

It was later that the Mito House became one of the Three Houses.

Study harder!

For example, would it still be disallowed...

if Iemitsu stepped down in Tadanaga's favor?

Yes. Both Emperor Go-Yozei and Emperor Go-Mizuno-o...

wished to make their brothers Emperor,

but the shogunate rejected it.

Therefore, Lord Tadanaga's succession to Shogun...

can never be.

I understand.

But Sire...

What?

The 5th Shogun Tsunayoshi...

was 4th Shogun Ietsuna's younger brother.

There was a great furor then.

What do you mean?

Fool!

That's in the future!

AOI Tokugawa Three Generations

Episode 38 "The Utsunomiya Trap Ceiling"

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

Tokugawa Iemitsu ONOE TATSUNOSUKE

Todo Takatora TAMURA RYO

Honda Masazumi WATANABE IKKEI

Honda Narishige FUWA MANSAKU

Inoue Masanari AMAMIYA RYO

Mito Mitsukuni/Narrator NAKAMURA BAIJAKU

Tenkai KANEDA RYUNOSUKE

Doi Toshikatsu HAYASHI RYUZO

Ogou IWASHITA SHIMA

Producer: Kawaii Junshi

Director: Shigemitsu Yukihiko

March 1622

Ogou, are you enjoying the cherry blossoms all alone?

Edo Castle

The new mansion in the North Compound is completed.

Tadanaga is overjoyed.

Thank you, My Lord.

What's wrong?

Please sit down.

The petals are falling.

Did you like the clock from Holland?

How does it compare with the one from England?

Tadanaga is 17 years old.

Oh, you want a bride for him?

That, too.

When can he have Sunpu?

When? Well...

Are you hesitant because of Owari and Kishu?

Well, there's that, too.

Tadanaga is the Shogun's younger brother.

I'm the Shogun.

I'm speaking of the future.

It's cold...

- Please listen to me! - I am.

Iemitsu was named noble Senior 3rd Rank.

Owari's Lord Yoshinao is Junior 3rd Rank.

So is Lord Yorinobu of Kishu.

Even Mito's Lord Yorifusa is Senior 4th Rank, Lower Grade.

But, Tadanaga is Junior 4th Rank, Lower Grade!

It can't be helped!

Yoshinao, Yorinobu, and Yorifusa are Tadanaga's uncles.

They are Iemitsu's uncles as well!

Iemitsu is different.

Please ask that Tadanaga be made Junior 3rd Rank, too.

Don't be willful!

I'm not.

Think of my position a little!

Again, they will say the 2nd Shogun is henpecked...

and controlled by his wife!

Who says that?!

Who? I've forgotten.

Tell me!

In that case, don't be frightened.

Last night, the Dai-Gongen appeared to me in a dream.

He said, "Here, HIdetada, are you under Ogou's thumb?"

What lies!

Right, they're lies! Lies!

Lies!

On April 17, Hidetada visited the Nikko Toshosha...

for Ieyasu's 7th death anniversary.

Yoshinao of Owari, Yorifusa of Mito, many daimyo, nobles,

and priests accompanied Hidetada.

I understand you have no heir as yet, Lord Yoshinao?

Unfortunately, I am clumsy...

There is nothing to fear.

Since the Dai-Gongen had many children,

he will answer your prayers for a son.

Yorifusa...

Have you finished your manju?

Don't eat so much.

Reporting.

Are we ready to leave?

No...

Okudaira vassal, Horii Iga-on-kami, sends an urgent warning.

Urgent warning? Tell me.

There are suspicious movements at Utsunomiya Castle.

Please cancel your stay there tonight.

What?

Masazumi...?

Are you saying Honda Masazumi plans to betray the Shogun?

Masanari...

I won't stop in Utsunomiya.

I'll return to Edo on the Nishikaido Highway.

Yes, Sire.

Go to Utsunomiya and inform Masazumi.

While there, make an inspection of the castle.

My Lord, please refrain from doing so.

Huh?

The Samurai Intermediaries and nobles accompany us.

Any undue commotion will embarrass the shogunate.

Won't Masazumi be suspicious if we bypass Utsunomiya?

Masanari...

Tell Honda Masazumi that Her Ladyship suddenly became ill,

so we are proceeding directly to Edo.

That will do.

First we must determine if Masazumi has daimyo supporters.

Let's send out spies.

But, surely not Masazumi...?

We must take precautions.

Yoshinao...

Yorifusa...

Don't tell anyone about this.

Of course not!

Please spend tonight at Mibu, Your Excellency.

Okay.

Back in Edo Castle, Hidetada ordered a top-secret investigation.

What is Masazumi doing?

He's behaving normally.

He was very concerned about Her Ladyship's condition.

Is that right?

After the nobles have left,

we must launch inspection tours in all the provinces.

I cannot believe it.

Couldn't it be a false charge?

A false charge?

The Okudaira were very close to the Okubo through marriage.

When Okubo Tadachika lost his position,

the former lord of Okudaira said it was a conspiracy by Honda Masanobu.

Wait a second...

Frankly, Utsunomiya belonged to the Okudaira.

They were unhappy that it was given to Honda Masazumi.

I've heard that it caused Princess Kame much grief.

Is that so? My sister...

My Lord, doubts of Lord Honda's loyalty are mounting.

Do you have proof?

When we stayed at Utsunomiya Castle on our way to Nikko,

several things in the guest mansion puzzled me.

Such as...

Late at night when the Shogun wished to go into the garden,

he could not open the door.

The pages say all the Honda vassals were encamped outside...

with their horses saddled.

For security's sake, I would order it as well.

Not only that...

the bedchamber was built high.

There is ample room for men to move under the floor.

That's nothing significant.

Do you have a grudge against Masazumi?

I'm offended, sir!

Forgive me...

Let's watch awhile and see what happens.

Don't stir up a commotion.

Yes, Sire.

Lord of Utsunomiya Castle, Honda Masazumi, was 58 years old.

During Ieyasu's rule, Masazumi and his father Masanobu...

ran the government as the most powerful officials.

But with Hidetada as Shogun, Masazumi fell from power...

and many despised him.

Sir Masazumi...

I...

Ah, no... It's nothing.

In May, due to renovations on the Main Compound,

Hidetada moved into the West Compound.

Iemitsu took the Edo mansion of Honda Tadamasa...

as a temporary residence.

It's Yorifusa.

I've been waiting for you.

What's this? Goldfish?

Stop that! Fool!

How silly.

They were a gift from the Red Hair.

Where's the fun in playing with goldfish?

Let's go out.

Don't tell anyone now.

Ohisa is with child.

Ohisa?

The handmaiden.

The one with the clear features.

Who made her pregnant?

I did.

That's fine.

But neither the Owari nor Kii lords have any children.

I, their younger brother, should not overtake them.

I'll soon be a father.

Tonight will be my last night of street killing.

You should stop your night revelry, too.

You'll be 3rd Shogun soon.

You dare say that?

Huh?

Who lured me into this in the first place?

Someone's coming!

Remember the plan?

First you attack, then I move in.

Don't fail.

Right.

Let's quit!

Huh?

He looks strong!

Come out!

Run!

On July 1, somewhere in Kojimachi, Edo,

Tokugawa Yorifusa's first child was born.

The mother was Ohisa, daughter of Mito vassal Tani Sigenori.

No, it was not I.

The child is Takemaru, later to be Yorishige.

He's my older brother.

I was not born yet.

As life comes into this world, so does life depart.

Hidetada's 2nd daughter Tama, wife of Maeda Toshitsune,

died on July 3 at Kanazawa Castle in Kaga.

She was 24 years old.

Pitiful child.

Was there ever a child as pitiful as Tama?

She was torn from her father and mother at the tender age of three.

How lonely you must have been, Tama.

I feel so sorry for her.

If she were in Edo, we could have attended her death.

Otama must surely resent us.

Mother...

We sent a small child to the farthest lands in the north.

How can she not hate us?!

Forgive me.

It was for the shogunate.

Women are not tools!

I know...

Osen and Okatsu are also suffering for the shogunate!

The Tosho Dai-Gongen is a monster!

Be strong!

Oh, woe!

I can still remember that terrible day!

Otama...

No! No!

Otama...

I don't want to go! I don't want to go anywhere!

Otama, Kaga is a fine place. There are no monsters there.

Be happy there.

Mother!

Otama!

I don't want to go anywhere!

Mother!

Lady Ogou was now 50 years old.

In her grief, she took to her bed.

Tokugawa Tadanaga (Hidetada's 2nd son)

Am I worthy of being Shogun?

The vassals must be disgusted with my bungling.

They must be saying, "The 2nd Shogun has no ability."

"Compared to the Dai-Gongen, he is nothing."

Surely they must say so secretly.

I have heard no such talk.

They may not say it aloud, but they all think it.

I'm unsuccessful in relations with the Court.

I failed to stamp out Christianity.

My chief vassals turn away from me.

I cannot even punish Tadanao, who refuses to come before me.

And, I cannot control the behavior of my heir, Iemitsu.

You have fine qualities of your own, Your Excellency.

Fine qualities?

Namely, you excel in Japanese and Chinese classics,

and you can see into the heart of many matters.

Moreover, you exercise extreme discretion.

And you possess a soul of rare compassion.

In other words, I'm indecisive?

By no means.

What should I do about Iemitsu?

He's headed toward his own ruin.

There is nothing to fear.

Just as water takes the shape of its container,

a man will grow into the position he is given.

But Iemitsu continues his wild behavior.

Your Excellency, among the vassals,

it is believed that Lord Tadanaga will become Shogun.

Why?

For one, Doi Toshikatsu's sister was Lord Tadanaga's wetnurse.

That's absurd.

Another reason is that...

Lord Iemitsu will have nothing to do with women.

The postponement of his marriage with the Takatsukasa...

is viewed with suspicion.

The castle is rife with rumors that Lord Iemitsu...

will eventually be disowned.

That's outrageous.

Because of this situation, Lord Iemitsu is naturally upset.

What should I do?

The Dai-Gongen made you Shogun at an early age,

and he governed the land as the Ogosho.

Are you suggesting that I retire?

By no means.

I was only giving an example.

Don't hesitate.

Archbishop, tell me exactly what you believe.

Then I respectfully submit...

if possible, it must be made known here and abroad...

that Lord Iemitsu will surely be the 3rd Shogun.

Arrested by the Nagasaki Magistrate,

the 55 Christian followers will be executed as ordered.

Our envoy reports that he has failed...

to settle the internal discord in the Mogami house.

What?

Vassals Matsune, Yamanobe, and Tateoka...

refuse to work for a resolution.

Disloyal wretches!

How dare they ignore shogunate judgment!

I ordered that they all work together...

to support their you lord, Yoshitoshi!

What shall we do, Your Excellency?

Abolish their clan!

Confiscate Dewa 570,000 koku!

Yes, Sire.

That's all!

On August 21, the house of the illustrious Mogami of Yamagata...

was abolished and their lands confiscated.

Yamagata Castle

After Mogami Yoshiaki's death,

the house had been embroiled in succession struggles.

It is the Shogun's wish that you, Kato Yoshiaki,

assist in Lord Iemitsu's armor-donning ceremony.

The Armor Donning?

It's an honor to be long cherished by your house.

I'm not fit for the task.

The Shogun has so ordered it.

I'm a clumsy man!

I know.

Why must I?

If the greatest warrior of our times...

assists the next Shogun in his armor-donning ceremony,

the Shogun will be blessed with good fortune in battle.

The greatest warrior of our times?

You were one of the 7 Great Spearmen at Shizugatake.

You fought in Shikoku, Kyushu,

the Odawara and Korea campaigns,

the Battle of Sekigahara, and the Osaka Campaigns.

Over the years, you have won many, many honors.

Ah, well...

I'm the only survivor?

September 15

That hurts!

Bear it! Don't be rude!

Iemitsu...

Stand.

The sword...

Magnificent.

It suits you well.

Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Tokugawa Yoshinao of Owari...

Tokugawa Yorifusa of Mito...

and Tadanaga, listen well.

When Iemitsu becomes 3rd Shogun,

you must all serve him as his vassals.

Understand?

If you should fight among yourselves,

your lands will be confiscated.

Yes, Your Excellency.

Tadanaga... Do you understand?

Yes.

My Lord...

Please show Her Ladyship how splendid you look.

I refuse.

Why?

Ah, it will make her very happy.

It's so heavy, I can't walk.

Pull yourself together, fool!

My Lord!

Send Honda Masazumi to take Yamagata Castle.

Masazumi?

When the guest mansion was built at Utsunomiya Castle,

a hundred of the Negoro bonzes who helped...

were secretly killed.

Our secret investigation has revealed this.

Lord of Utsunomiya Castle, Honda Masazumi,

led 3,000 men to take Yamagata Castle.

And on October 1 a shogunate envoy arrived at Yamagata Castle.

Honda Masazumi...

Though you are a high shogunate official,

you have recently engaged in suspicious behavior.

You are suspected of breaking the 11 Articles.

It concerned the famous Utsunomiya trap ceiling, didn't it?

Trap ceiling?

The ceiling above the Shogun's seat...

was rigged to come crashing down.

That's a black lie!

The planks on the bathroom floor were removable.

Under the floor there were swords sticking up.

A fabrication!

Then Honda Masazumi's betrayal...

There's no motive for it.

Motive?

Was he framed, then?

Probably by the Okudaira.

Or even by Doi Toshikatsu.

Doi Toshikatsu?

We can't say for certain,

but behind this incident lay the smoldering hostility...

between the Okubo and Honda houses.

Okubo and Honda houses?

Sukesaburo, remember the ruin of Okubo Tadachika?

I remember very clearly.

Tadachika was sent to Kyoto by the Ogosho...

to destroy a Christian temple,

and Odawara Castle was stolen in his absence!

And Masazumi, while taking over Yamagata Castle,

lost Utsunomiya Castle.

Isn't that exactly the same?

I see.

They took revenge on Masazumi.

So the guilty ones are those close to the Okubo...

The Okudaira!

They are extremely suspicious.

Doi Toshikatsu is innocent, then?

You can never tell!

Senior official Masazumi was an annoyance to Toshikatsu.

Then we will never know the truth?

By the way, Sherlock...

Don't get smart!

Thus, Honda Masazumi lost Utsunomiya 155,000 koku...

and was banished to Yuri in Dewa.

But, he made little protest and submitted calmly.

Perhaps it was because he felt it was useless to resist,

or that he would eventually be found innocent.

The truth is not known.

Do you feel better?

Thank you, My Lord.

Word came from Lady Acha.

The Court held...

a special performance of sacred music and dancing...

to pray for your speedy recovery.

I'm unworthy.

How does this feel?

Thank you, My Lord.

I have something important to tell you.

I'm retiring next year.

Eh?

I've given this much consideration.

Why?

Archbishop Tenkai says the quickest way to reform Iemitsu...

is to make him Shogun and let him see his own abilities.

Iemitsu is only nineteen.

He will be twenty next year.

Will he be alright?

Don't worry.

Until then I'll straighten out the kinks in government...

and pluck out all the bad elements.

Though I'm retiring, I won't withdraw from government.

I'm Iemitsu's guardian.

I must instruct him in the particulars of governance.

And in the making of an heir.

Huh?

As the Ogosho, I must keep watch over the daimyo.

Will you be moving to Sunpu?

Sunpu is too far away.

I'll give it to Tadanaga as you wished.

Tadanaga will receive Sunpu?

Happy?

Thank you, My Lord.

How about Odawara for our retirement home?

Odawara?

Odawara is close to Edo and to Sunpu.

There are also hot springs in Hakone and Atami.

It is the perfect place to cure your illness.

Live a long life.

I've had a happy life.

I can die with no regrets.

Don't be silly.

What would I do without you?

I'm nothing without you.

What's so funny?

I'm ticklish here.

Forgive me.

October 8,

Matsudaira Tadanao's vassal, Honda Narishige,

suddenly came to Edo, asking to see Doi Toshikatsu.

Tadanao was Hidetada's nephew and son of the late Yuki Hideyasu.

He has insulted the shogunate by feigning illness...

and ignoring repeated orders to appear.

This is unforgivable.

I am deeply sorry.

A lord's crimes are due to incompetent vassals.

You will not avoid punishment either.

I fully accept it, sir.

When is Lord Tadano making his appearance?

Since he is kin, the Shogun is most concerned about this.

There is nothing more that we can do!

What?

Countless vassals have been killed...

for urging our lord to come to Edo!

Our lord can no longer reason.

He won't listen to what anyone says.

He drinks and swings his sword about in drunken fits of frenzy.

Why don't you stop him?

Tie him up and drag him here if you must.

Not that, please!

Isn't that true loyalty?!

Though a lord may be lacking in stature,

his vassals must never fail him.

Lord Tadanao is our master!

Now we can only appeal to the shogunate...

to deal with our master.

I, Narishige, have come here to make that very request!

Hara-kiri.

We can't make allowances for kin.

Please wait!

There are other daimyo to consider.

Please!

Iemitsu and Tadanaga can learn from this.

Lord Tadanao is Princess Katsu's husband!

I care nothing about that!

The Dai-Gongen reduced Lord Tadateru's punishment...

to deprive him of samurai privileges!

I'm Hidetada!

Please allow me to handle the matter!

No!

I'll send a messenger to Kitanosho!

Please be patient!

Toshikatsu!

Six months!

I've waited for six months!

Please, Sire!

Your Excellency...

To be continued.

To be continued.