Original subtitles

Here I am once again.

Fall 1626...

The shogunate built a guest palace in Nijo Castle,

and prepared for Emperor Go-Mizuno-o's visit.

On September 6, the first day, the night rains has ceased,

and Imperial Consort Masako arrived.

Twenty mounted samurai led the way.

Accompanying her were Great Minister Nijo Yasumichi,

Consort Attendants Sanjonishi Saneeda,

Nakanoin Michimura, among 8 high and 16 attendant nobles.

Five, including Yagyu Munenori, guarded the Consort's cart.

Next came the Emperor's mother, Chuwamon-in.

Accompanying her were former Chancellor Kujo Tadahide...

and several other nobles.

Then there were 18 high and attendant nobles,

with other mounted guards and attendants in splendid dress.

Next Shogun Iemitsu appeared in full Court dress...

to welcome the Emperor.

Accompanying the Shogun were over 300 daimyo.

After a while, Emperor Go-Mizuno-o appeared.

In attendance were Chancellor and Minister of the Left,

Konoe Nobuhiro, and several hundred nobles.

After the first meal, at a private feast,

Lord Hidetada and Shogun Iemitsu...

received a drink from the Emperor.

After the customary drinks, seven courses were served.

The Emperor's eating utensils were made of gold.

Utensils of the Consort, Empress Dowager, and princesses...

were made with gold mixed with silver.

The welcoming ceremony was conducted...

by Doi Toshikatsu and Sakai Tadayo.

Banquets in the Inner Chambers were supervised by Lady Acha.

The banquet utensils were made by artist Kobori Enshu.

The weather was clear on the second day.

When the Emperor breakfasted,

gifts from Shogun Iemitsu were presented.

To the Emperor, 30,000 ryo in silver, 200 robes,

aloes wood, silk, fine thread, 30 tortoise shells, musk,

and a Yukihira sword.

To the Consort, 10,000 ryo in silver, 50 robes,

aloes wood, fine thread, figured silk, and musk!

Chuwamon-in received the same.

To Princess Onna Ichinomiya, 3,000 ryo in silver,

30 robes, doll furnishings, gold brocade,

gold and silver coins!

Princess Onna Ninomiya received 2,000 ryo,

20 robes, gold brocade, and gold and silver coins!

But the coins for the Princesses were not cash,

but doll money, minted for Girls' Day dolls.

On this day, a bugaku performance was held.

The Emperor and Courtiers played the koto.

In the evening, an elaborate feast was held.

On the 3rd day, at a private breakfast,

Shogun Hidetada sent these presents:

To the Emperor, 2,000 ryo in gold,

100 robes, figured cloth, aloes wood, musk, honey,

and a sword with the Imperial crest!

To the Consort, 10,000 ryo in silver, 30 robes,

aloes wood, and 50 bolts of figured silk!

Chuwamon-in received the same in kind.

Onna Ichinomiya received 3,000 ryo in silver,

20 robes, doll furnishings, and toy puppets.

Onna Ninomiya received 2,000 ryo in silver,

20 robes, doll furnishings, and toy puppets.

On this day, the Emperor saw the view from the tower.

Then he reviewed a show of horseback riding.

Next, there was a performance of foot-ball by nobles.

And in the evening, there was waka poetry meeting.

On the 4th day, there was a Noh performance!

There's more?!

Just a bit.

Hurry up!

Among the plays were Okina, Naniwa, Tamura, Genji Kuyo,

Dojoji, Miwa, Kumasaka, and Shojo!

A banquet was scheduled to follow,

but due to hangovers, the Emperor declined the offer.

It was only natural.

On the 5th day,

the Emperor enjoyed the view from the tower again.

He offered Hidetada, Iemitsu, and Tadanaga cups of wine,

and finally returned to the Imperial Palace!

The Tokugawa shogunate had staked its reputation...

in giving the Emperor a grand lavish welcome to Nijo Castle!

It was an event that marked Tokugawa rule over all Japan!

In the Edo Era, at least,

it was spectacular hospitality on an unprecedented scale.

AOI Tokugawa Three Generations

Episode 43 "A Woman's Lifetime"

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

Princess Masako SAKAI MIKI

Acha MITSUBAYASHI KYOKO

Jokoin NAMINO KURIKO

Tokugawa Ieyasu TSUGAWA MASAHIKO

Honda Masanobu KOYAMA SHIGERU

Todo Takatora TAMURA RYO

Mito Mitsukuni/Narrator NAKAMURA BAIJAKU

Yodo OGAWA MAYUMI

Ofuku KIKI KIRIN

Doi Toshikatsu HAYASHI RYUZO

Ogou IWASHITA SHIMA

Producer: Kawaii Junshi

Director: Shigemitsu Yukihiko

September 11

Nijo Castle

My Lord.

Huh?

It's Masanari.

What is it?

An urgent message arrived from Edo.

Her Ladyship, Lady Ogou, is critically ill.

What?

Edo Castle

Lady Ogou?

Ogou...

Princess Sen has returned.

Can you hear? Princess Sen has returned!

Mother...

Mother!

I, Iemitsu, am here.

Ogou is dying.

I'll send Tadanaga.

No, I shall go!

Don't be absurd. You're the Shogun!

Tomorrow, the envoy arrives to name you Great Minister.

The day after tomorrow,

you must appear in Court to thank the Emperor.

There is something I must say to Mother!

Then have Tadanaga relay your message.

Sakai Tadakatsu...

Go with Tadanaga as my representative.

Yes, Sire!

Sire, a younger vassal would be better.

That's true.

Tadakatsu, I withdraw my order.

Inaba Masakatsu!

Yes, My Lord!

Take a physician with you.

Go quickly!

September 12

Be strong!

The Ogosho, Shogun, and Lord Tadanaga are all in Kyoto.

At a time like this...!

Do you understand?

Here are Osen, Okatsu, and Ohatsu!

Ogou?

Ogou!

You must not die yet.

You are invincible!

Do you remember?

When we three sisters...

The day we three fled from Kitanosho Castle!

Ogou... Ogou...

We sisters suffered the fall of two castles,

and our parents were killed.

We grew up under the protection of Lord Hideyoshi.

The eldest, Chacha, gave birth to Lord Hideyori...

and was called "Lady Yodo."

The second daughter Hatsu married Kyogoku Takatsugu.

I, the third, now live a happy life here.

Do you understand?

If you should break with the Toyotomi,

I will become enemy to my sister!

What will become of Osen, who wed into the Toyotomi house?

Will you say women are only tools of war?

My Lord!

My Lord!

Didn't Father say this...

No, not at all.

I haven't finished.

Oh, sorry.

"Ogou's family runs high to girls."

"Little can be expected of a woman of her age."

"If you desire sons, take a young concubine."

Will you obey Father?

"Ahh" is a poor answer.

What should I do?

Whatever you wish.

I'll consider it.

I knew it!

In Fushimi, I dreamt of you every night.

How I pined for you.

In all this world,

there is no woman like you.

Have no fear! I shall never take a concubine!

However...

Please give me a son next.

Yes, My Lord!

A son, right?

A son.

Yes, My Lord.

I must bear a son.

Oh?

Since Osen, Otama, and Okatsu were all three girls,

Hidetada is in disfavor with you, Father.

That is not so.

I must bear him a son soon. I am six years his senior!

Wait until next year.

Next year?

This year, we must fight a great war against Mitsunari.

I doubt he'll be able to return to Edo.

How cruel...

Haste makes waste.

I understand you advised Lord Hidetada to take a concubine.

I never said that.

Oh yeah, I might have!

I knew it!

It is only natural for any respected daimyo...

to have one or two concubines.

What kind of look is that?

I wish to give birth to the heir!

Go right ahead.

Then please allow me to go to Utsunomiya!

That is impossible.

I beg of you!

Making war is different from making children.

No! No!

Otama...

I don't want to go anywhere!

Otama, Kaga is a fine place.

There are no ogres or snakes.

Be happy there.

Mother!

Otama!

I don't want to go anywhere!

Mother!

I shall go to Kyoto despite your objections!

However, I will do more than accompany Osen.

I shall meet with my sister, Yodo, in Osaka...

in order to dispel her suspicions about the Tokugawa.

I am the only person...

who can melt the discord between our two houses.

Please allow me to help!

If any grief should come to Osen,

I could never die in peace!

May I put my toy dishes into my wedding chest?

Your toy dishes?

They are my treasures from Great-Grandmother.

Well now, whatever should we do?

What is the matter?

It's coming!

Mother!

Could you be?

I am Sada.

Have you ever seen a more intelligent or beautiful girl?

Thank you!

You know this person, don't you?

She's your mother.

I hope you are well.

Osada...!

Forgive me!

I did not wish to leave you!

Not a day passed that I did not think of you!

Mother!

Oh, joy! Thank the gods!

I'm glad I came to Osaka!

Please allow the Kyogoku to adopt your fourth daughter,

who was just born in Fushimi.

Sister...

If she is wed to our heir, Kumamaro,

it will enhance the name of the Kyogoku,

and smooth the strife between Tokugawa and Toyotomi.

But the decision is not mine to make.

I have heard...

Lord Hidetada will do anything you ask.

By no means!

You persuaded him...

to allow you to accompany Osen to Osaka.

I was concerned about Osen.

It was to entrust Osen to our sister, Yodo.

In that case, wouldn't you feel safer...

to entrust your youngest to me instead of a stranger?

Please share the Asai bloodline...

with the Kyogoku house.

Please, Ogou.

I am Katsu.

Thank you for this meeting.

We rely upon your help, sir.

And we upon yours.

An heir?!

- Did you say an heir?! - Yes.

Praise the great god, Hachiman!

Well done, Ogou!

Thank you, My Lord.

Now my pride is restored!

How happy Father will be.

Great Minister of the Left, Minamoto Hidetada...

is named Prime Minister.

Great Minister of the Right, Minamoto Iemitsu...

is named Great Minister of the Left.

Mother!

She is moving her lips.

It's true.

She must be dreaming.

Well done, Ogou!

Thank you, Sir.

Four girls, and finally a boy! I was worried!

Forgive me, Father.

Now I can make Hidetada successor without worries!

Remember, Ogou...

Takechiyo is no ordinary child.

He has been born heir to the shogunate!

I shall remember and devote myself to his training.

It is best to leave his training to a capable vassal.

It is folly to leave the upbringing of the Shogun's son...

to doting parents!

He must be separated from his parents...

and rigorously trained!

I am Saito Toshimitsu's daughter, Fuku.

Saito Toshimitsu?

Former vassal to Akechi Mitsuhide.

Tragically, he was defeated in the Battle of Yamazaki...

and crucified at Awataguchi.

Despite her appearance,

Ofuku possesses incredible intelligence.

You must take your medicine.

Bear the bitter taste.

How is he?

Does he have a fever?

I must wipe the perspiration.

You did it, Ogou!

Another son!

Now I can face Father. I thank you, Ogou.

Your Excellency...

What? Are you okay?

I don't wish to let anyone have this child!

I will raise him with my own hands.

May I, My Lord?!

Yes. Do so, if you wish.

I'm the Shogun.

I'll not break my word. Rest assured.

Thank you, My Lord.

Oh, you've come, Takechiyo?

Come forward.

Masazumi. Serve him some sweets.

Karukan cakes. They're good!

Thank you, Grandfather!

Thank you.

Back, Kunichiyo!

You are a vassal who must serve Takechiyo.

Get back, I say!

Begone!

No, I will not!

Go to Osaka and stop this war!

Calm down, Ogou!

Will you allow Osen to be killed?!

It's the samurai way. It can't be helped!

The samurai way? That's absurd!

Are you so ambitious to rule Japan...

that you would sacrifice women and children?!

Watch your words, woman!

If they displease you, kill me!

You dare...!

Hold! Hold!

But I must also remonstrate with you!

In all this world,

nothing is as evil as war!

Takechiyo?

Who's there?

Takechiyo...

What's the meaning of this?

How frightening. And you a boy...

Can this be my son?

Clear the room.

Kunichiyo, Kazu, too...

What's the matter?

Prepare yourself, now...

The Ogosho has petitioned for Kazu to wed the Emperor.

To be Imperial Consort!

And what happened?

I don't know yet.

The Court must be in an uproar, though.

Of our five daughters,

Osen wed into the Toyotomi house,

Otama wed into the Maeda house,

Okatsu wed Matsudaira Tadanao,

Ohatsu wed into the Kyogoku house,

and the last, Kazu, will wed into the Imperial house.

I wonder who will be happiest?

Who knows?

The Imperial house is the greatest in the land.

No, My Lord.

A woman does not necessarily derive happiness from status.

What? Then are you unhappy being the Shogun's wife?

I am very happy.

With you, a kindly man, I had two sons and five daughters.

I didn't have a mother-in-law to serve.

Nor did I have to be jealous of young concubines.

If he has a hidden son, the child will be third son...

after Takechiyo and Kunichiyo.

Since Kenshoin has said he is a Takeda son,

he cannot be the Shogun's third son.

I hope he will not be a source of trouble.

First, I must learn who his mother is.

Please refrain from needless inquiry.

Needless inquiry?

The Shogun has his reputation to uphold.

If your needless prying should embarrass him,

even our gentle Shogun will be angry.

It could even cause discord in your marriage!

Vexing!

Pitiful child...

Was there ever a child as pitiful as Tama?

She was torn from us at the tender age of three.

How lonely you must have been, Tama.

I've done a terrible thing.

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

Otama must surely resent us.

We sent a small child to the farthest land 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 an ogre!

You were a finer wife than ever I deserved.

Please be truthful.

I'm telling the truth.

Have you never wished to divorce me?

Not once.

You taught me many and all things.

And, you bore me two sons and five daughters.

How could I be what I am without you?

Ogou, you are my benefactress and my support.

A wife no one can replace.

Though I am unworthy,

I shall love you for all eternity.

Ogou...

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Mother?

She will not survive this time.

Imperial Consort Masako (Hidetada's 5th daughter)

We must send someone...

No, there's no need to hurry.

For Lady Ogou's sake,

I pray that the Imperial Consort remains serene...

and bears a healthy child.

Yes.

The greatest happiness for a parent...

is the happiness of his children.

September 15

How is she?

It is over, My Lady.

Ogou!

Why did you hasten to your death...

leaving me all alone?

Did our older sister come for you?

Sister!

Mother!

My Lord?

It's Gou.

Ogou...

I pray that you are well.

When did you arrive in Kyoto?

Have you recovered?

I wished to thank you.

Thank me?

In all this world, no woman was more fortunate than I.

It was all due to you, My Lord.

What nonsense.

Iemitsu became Shogun...

and Princess Kazu became Imperial Consort.

It was all due to your efforts, Ogou.

I am hardly worthy. Thank you, My Lord.

Ogou...

Come here.

Being occupied with state affairs,

I fear I've left you alone too much.

Let's withdraw to Odawara now...

and live happily together.

I can have no more children.

How silly. We have many grandchildren.

You're cold...

Cold. Your body is chilled through.

We must summon a physician.

Please let me remain like this.

Ogou!

Ogou!

Mother...

The sad news reached Nijo Castle on September 18.

The Shogun is here.

Father...

Our deepest condolences...

on the death of Her Ladyship, My Lord.

When will you return to Edo?

We await your orders concerning the funeral.

I leave it to Iemitsu.

I wish to remain here.

October 18, 1626...

Lady Ogou's body was cremated at Azabu-no...

and buried at Zojoji in Shiba.

That year she was 54 years old.

Her posthumous name was Sugen-in.

Hidetada returned to Edo...

three days after a grand funeral had been held.

To be continued.

To be continued.