Original subtitles

On October 10, 1629,

Iemitsu's wetnurse Ofuku was received in Court...

by Emperor Go-Mizuno-o,

and her name was changed to Kasuga-no-Tsubone.

However, this incident infuriated the proud nobles.

My Lord...

What is it?

What was the reason that the nobles were so furious?

Don't you know?

I'm only pretending not to know.

How impudent.

Kakubei!

Ofuku was a woman of no status. A lowly wetnurse.

That's right.

Granting such a woman audience with the Emperor...

damages terribly the prestige of the Court.

But Ofuku went as Shogun Iemitsu's representative!

That proves the shogunate's disrespect for the Court.

A spiteful move!

Watch what you say!

That was not all.

Lady Kasuga had the gall to request...

a special performance of Court music!

Are you siding with the nobles?!

It's an objective analysis!

Objective?!

Familiar faces appear before you again.

AOI Tokugawa Three Generations

Episode 46 "Enthronement"

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

Masako SAKAI MIKI

Date Masamune SUMA KEI

Acha MITSUBAYASHI KYOKO

Mito Mitsukuni/Narrator NAKAMURA BAIJAKU

Jokoin NAMINO KURIKO

Doi Toshikatsu HAYASHI RYUZO

Ofuku (Kasuga-no-Tsubone) KIKI KIRIN

Producer: Kawaii Junshi

Director: Ozaki Mitsunobu

Imperial Consort Masako

Onna Ichinomiya Okiko

November

Emperor Go-Mizuno-o

Perhaps this is sudden.

But for various reasons...

I abdicate the Throne this day.

Onna Ichinomiya, come forward.

By our Imperial Ancestors, I yield the Throne to you.

Your Majesty...

Will you send an Imperial Edict to the Kanto?

Succession to the Throne...

cannot be dictated by the shogunate.

Imperial Consort Masako informed Edo...

of the Emperor's sudden abdication.

He abdicated?

That's hot! Hot!

That's hot!

He probably plans to install a child Empress...

and have a Regent control everything.

We must adamantly object!

Toshikatsu...

What does the Ogosho say?

He says to ignore it.

Ignore it?

To ignore it until an Imperial Envoy brings word.

With Emperor Go-Mizuno-o's abdication,

Consort Masako became Empress Dowager...

and was called Tofukumon-in.

I pray no harm comes.

My Lady?

My sister Princess Sen had wed into the Toyotomi house.

The Tokugawa, Father's house, destroyed them.

Nonsense.

Lady Yodo's arrogance caused the Toyotomi's destruction.

Lady Chuwamon-in, Emperor Go-Mizuno-o's mother,

hurried here to admonish him for his rash action.

Moreover, Princess Onna Ichinomiya...

is the Ogosho's granddaughter and niece of the Shogun.

No harm will come to you.

December 1

We cannot accept the Emperor's abdication!

Then we shall go to Edo and tell the Shogun in person.

Would you bypass the Kyoto Deputy?!

This is an Imperial Order!

The shogunate cannot accept this sudden abdication!

Oh, my word...

It is the Emperor's wish to abdicate.

I've heard His Majesty's mother Chuwamon-in...

admonished him for it.

Tsuchimikado...

I've heard you were ordered to perpetrate this outrage.

Perpetrate? How very rude of you, sir.

Silence!

The shogunate will conduct an investigation of this matter!

Be so prepared, my lords.

And answer truthfully!

Very well.

Thus, with bitter feelings between shogunate and Court,

the new year of 1630 began.

The Go-Sekke paid their New Year's call at Nijo Castle.

They all asked that the Ogosho and Shogun come to Kyoto.

Go to Kyoto? Whatever for?

In September the coronation of the Empress will take place.

Huh? That's absurd.

I'll see right here from Edo...

if a coronation is possible without the shogunate approval.

Shall I say that in your reply?

No. There's no need to reply.

Huh?

Ignore the nobles until they capitulate.

March 4...

Hidetada's 4th daughter and Kyogoku Tadataka's wife Princess Hatsu...

died at their Edo mansion.

She was 28 years old.

Please forgive me.

The Kyogoku did everything possible to save her.

Don't lie.

When Ohatsu lay dying,

Tadataka was watching a sumo match!

It could not be helped.

Sister...

Ogou is grieving.

I raised Ohatsu tenderly.

Perhaps it was a mistake to allow it.

Lord Kyogoku Tadataka is here.

I refuse to see him.

Shigemasa...

I place Kyogoku Tadataka under house arrest!

Tell him so.

I must speak, Sir.

I don't want to hear it.

If you love your daughters so much,

please take a little pity upon Masako as well!

What?

You made her marry the Emperor for political reasons,

only to argue with him now.

It grieves Masako so,

she must be weeping every night!

Lady Jokoin...

Your interference is not wanted.

I speak as Ogou's voice!

Thinking back...

You wed Princess Sen to Lord Hideyori and destroyed the Toyotomi.

You wed Princess Tama to the Maeda and let her die in Kanazawa.

You wed Princess Katsu to Tadanao and made her divorce him.

And now once more, you endanger Masako's position.

As a parent, aren't you ashamed?!

Everything you mentioned...

was what the Dai-Gongen ordered!

Women are human as well.

They're not tools for politics!

Though you are my sister-in-law,

I'll suffer no more insolence from you.

Leave.

Leave!

Please...

Please reconsider, Sir!

Ogou...

I miss you.

For allowing me to go back to Sunpu...

I thank you, Your Excellency.

Tadanaga...

Last fall in Sunpu,

you met with Hoshina Masamitsu's heir Komatsu.

Is that correct?

Yes, Your Excellency.

Did you know he is our younger brother?

Father told me.

Why didn't you report the meeting?!

I am Shogun and your older brother.

It was shameless audacity to meet with him first!

Even when Mother died,

you donated a memorial tower to the Mt. Koya monastery!

I had been raised by Mother...

and received training beyond measure!

I also ask...

When I was stricken with smallpox, didn't you say...

you, the second son, should succeed me?

Listen well.

According to the Dai-Gongen's last wishes...

if I have no sons,

the 4th Shogun would be Gorohachimaru of Owari...

or Nagatomimaru of Kishu.

No matter what happens to me,

you will never succeed to the Tokugawa house.

Never be conceited again.

Lord Tadanaga of Suruga left Edo in despair.

It would be the last time the brothers would meet.

Date Masamune

I understand Lady Chuwamon-in is ill.

I sent a representative to call on her right away.

That was very good.

There seems to be much discord in the Palace...

concerning His Majesty's abdication.

If I may be so bold as to ask, Sir...

Why does the shogunate object...

to Onna Ichinomiya's ascension to Empress?

It goes without saying.

With no previous notice or leave,

the Emperor abdicated in favor of Onna Ichinomiya.

But to object for so little?

Shogunate pride must be upheld.

Princess Onna Ichinomiya is your granddaughter.

That's a separate matter.

Others will see it...

as shogunate harassment of the Court.

That's not so.

The Court has an alarming motive...

for installing a female sovereign.

An alarming motive?

A female sovereign cannot marry.

Thus, she cannot bear children.

If Onna Ichinomiya becomes Empress,

our Tokugawa line in the Imperial house will end.

Ofuri

Your Excellency...

Speak.

The Ogosho bids us send physician Saka Yugen to Kyoto.

Saka Yugen?

He offers Lady Chuwamon-in acupuncture treatment.

To Chuwamon-in, who was gravely ill,

Hidetada also sent shogunate physician Nakarai Narichika.

June 23

On June 23, Hoshina Masamitsu, Lord of Shinano Takato,

accompanied his son Komatsu to be received by Shogun Iemitsu.

This was the hidden son that Hidetada had by an attendant.

Raise your head.

We are overjoyed to see you so well, Your Excellency.

It is a great honor to see you, Your Excellency.

I am Hoshina Masamitsu's adopted son, Komatsu.

Come forward.

Now, come closer. Closer.

How old are you, Komatsu?

Nineteen, Your Excellency.

What is your mother's name?

Shizu, Your Excellency.

Is she still well?

She lives peacefully in Takato.

When you were little,

you lived in Bijuni Mansion with your mother, didn't you?

Under Lady Kenshoin's protection.

Father is really timid.

In fear of Her Ladyship, he sent you far away!

Toshikatsu is a coward, too.

You knew everything, but kept it from me.

If it had been discovered, he could have been killed.

There is no more need to fear.

Come to see me whenever you wish!

Thank you, Your Excellency.

I must make it up to you in Father's place.

Masamitsu...

Though you had a son,

you disowned him and made Komatsu heir, didn't you?

Thank you for raising him so well.

I, Iemitsu, thank you!

I am hardly worthy, Sire. Thank you!

Komatsu...

Stand up.

Stand up, I say.

Oh, you are really tall!

What do you think, Tadayo? Does he resemble me?

Aren't his finely chiseled features exactly like mine?

Yes, Your Excellency.

What's so funny?

Sit down.

Komatsu...

Do you enjoy river pastimes?

Yes.

Komatsu is an expert swimmer, Your Excellency.

Oh, that's excellent!

The day after tomorrow,

I shall review the navel troops.

After that, I will go boating.

You come, too.

Yes, Your Excellency!

Earthquake!

Pardon!

July 3...

The Ex-Emperor's mother, Chuwamon-in Sakiko, died.

She was 56 years old.

The Ogosho suggests...

that the shogunate send condolence callers.

I know that.

Representing the Ogosho will be Osawa Motoshige.

Representing the Shogun will be Kira Yoshifuyu.

Okay, fine.

The Ogosho would also like to send a message.

What is it?!

Due to various circumstances, the Emperor's abdication...

and Princess Onna Ichinomiya's ascension to the Throne...

are respectfully accepted.

He accepts a female sovereign?!

That's right, Sire.

That's outrageous! What of the Shogun's pride?!

You must ask the Ogosho about that, Sire.

Did you find it?

Yes, the female sovereign is an Empress.

I know that!

The first in Japan was Empress Suiko.

Her reign lasted from 592 A.D. to 628 A.D.

Empress Kogyoku, 642 to 645.

Empress Saimei, 655 to 661.

Empress Jito, 686 to 697.

These were all until the Asuka Period.

Next, the Nara Period...

Empress Genmei, 707 to 715. Empress Gensho, 715 to 724.

Empress Koken, 749 to 758. Empress Shotoku, 764 to 770.

There were eight in all.

Six.

One, two, three...

Empresses Saimei and Kogyoku were one person.

Empresses Koken and Shotoku were also one person.

In other words, they served twice as Empress.

Until the Asuka Period,

all Empresses had previously been Imperial Consort.

From Imperial Consort to Empress?

But in the Nara Period (646-794),

none of the Empresses were former Consorts.

Now, if Hidetada's grandchild Okiko becomes Empress,

she would be the first female sovereign in 859 years!

859 years!

- May I ask a question? - Go ahead.

What is this A.D. that appears after the years?

It's the Western way of calculating the calendar.

Outrageous.

Use the Western calendar to study our country's history?

It's for convenience's sake.

I cannot accept it.

Don't argue!

July 13

Raise your heads.

Tadakatsu, Masakatsu, Shigemune!

Come closer.

A confidential report came from Lady Acha.

Tofukumon-in (Masako) has conceived again.

Oh, joyous news!

If she bears a son,

he can ascend the Throne in adulthood.

Onna Ichinomiya will serve in the interim till then.

Yes, Sire.

Father...

Is it not against the Dai-Gongen's wishes...

to do the bidding of the Court?

We are not doing their bidding.

The shogunate didn't give their approval...

to either the abdication or the Empress!

Shigemune...

Go to Kyoto at once.

Present a memorandum regarding Onna Ichinomiya's coronation.

Yes, My Lord.

Toshikatsu...

Tadayo...

Go with Konchiin Suden to Kyoto...

and plan the rites for Onna Ichinomiya's coronation.

Yes, Sire.

It must be on a lucky day in early September.

Yes, Sire.

Properly speaking, samurai are protectors of the Court.

Fighting the nobles will ill serve our land.

However...

Nobles who allowed the Emperor's abdication...

must be punished.

Therefore, the coronation of Onna Ichinomiya...

will be under the guardianship of the shogunate.

Father...

By custom, samurai are not allowed to participate.

It doesn't matter...

as long as we hold the power.

Masakatsu...

Tell daimyo with fiefs over 100,000 koku...

they don't need to go to Kyoto for the coronation.

Tell them to send only gifts.

Yes, Sire.

September 12, 1630...

in the Shishiiden Hall of the Imperial Palace,

the coronation took place.

Onna Ichinomiya Okiko ascended to the Throne at the age of 8.

She became Empress Meisho.

What is it?

The shogunate has made an outrageous demand.

Samurai Intermediary Nakanoin Michimura...

has displeased both Shoguns.

They asked for his dismissal.

Why are they displeased?

It is because of my curt speech and rude ways.

Samurai Intermediary is an Imperial appointment.

They say Michimura should be replaced...

by Great Minister Hino Sukekatsu!

Even more outrageous.

What should we do, Your Majesty?

What do you say, Michimura?

Since the shogunate is angry about the sudden abdication,

we should avoid any trouble for now.

The samurai may do as they please.

Please tell them so.

September 16

As Kyoto Deputy, I wish to speak.

In order to relate the wishes of the Ogosho and Shogun,

I requested the presence of the Five Fujiwara Houses.

But only three appeared!

We are most offended, Sirs!

Unfortunately, Lord Konoe and Lord Nijo were unable to come.

Please excuse them.

I do not care about the reasons!

I, Shigemune, will remember this!

Doi Toshikatsu...

will now relate the wishes of the Ogosho and the Shogun.

We shall respectfully hear them.

Not since the Heian Era...

has a Princess ascended to the Throne.

This sudden abdication by the Emperor is most regrettable!

However...

since His Majesty has already made his decision,

it cannot be helped.

And, since preparations for the coronation have begun,

there should be no ill feelings in the future.

The Shogun is far away in the Kanto.

Thus, he has no way of knowing the customs of the Court.

Therefore, with the Gosekke to lead them,

nobles must work together to ensure the continuation...

of the Imperial line that began with the dawn of the gods.

We shall, sir.

Moreover, nobles must apply themselves to scholarship...

and never disobey the laws of the Tosho Dai-Gongen!

If they should fall remiss in these their duties,

they will be punished by the shogunate!

So let it be known.

Speak if there be objections.

Not that this is an objection...

but I wish to ask a question.

Speak.

The Imperial Palace has received until now 20,000 koku.

But the sum was reduced to 10,000 koku.

Why is that?

It is because the Empress is a child.

She may be a child,

but Palace costs and goods remain the same.

Even so, a female sovereign should not incur special expenses.

I also wish to ask...

the retirement allowance for the Ex-Emperor is 3,000 koku.

It is difficult for him to manage with so little.

Please reconsider the amount.

Is that what the Ex-Emperor said?

It was a private query made by him.

Such a question is inappropriate at this time.

It will be discussed at a later date.

Please, my lord.

You are truly the Ogosho.

You have ascertained their weakness.

Threatened by Doi Toshikatsu and Sakai Tadayo,

the nobles shrank back in fear.

That is fine.

But, we cannot deny the Ex-Emperor.

We'll double his allowance to 6,000 koku.

I'm sure he'll be extremely pleased.

I wonder about that?

I hear Lady Tofukumon-in has conceived again.

Lord Masamune, you are incredible.

It is exactly as you predicted.

It will surely be a prince this time.

Who can tell?

I'm willing to bet 100 ryo on that!

I refuse.

I can't bet on a princess.

You're absolutely right. It would make a poor wager.

Poor, indeed.

My Lord, please be friendly with the Court from now on.

Your daughter is Tofukumon-in.

Your granddaughter is the Empress.

The Court and shogunate have now become one.

Sir Masamune...

I owe it all to your help.

Not at all, Sir.

It was the power of the Dai-Gongen.

That's true.

That's true, still...

October 5...

Lord of Anotsu Castle in Ise, Todo Takatora, passed away.

He was 75 years old.

Sire, I must speak to you.

A Shinto priest of Sengen Shrine in Sunpu...

has appealed to the shogunate for help.

An appeal?

According to his letter...

on November 11, in the vicinity of Sengen Shrine,

Lord Tadanaga took thousands of beaters on a monkey hunt,

and killed 1,200 monkeys.

What?

At Sengen Shrine,

all killing has been forbidden for 800 years.

The monkey is worshiped as a deity.

This is most grave.

Also in September,

Lord Tadanaga hunted monkeys in Anyojiyama.

Why didn't his vassals stop him?

They tried, Sire. But he refused to listen.

He has killed attendants on more than one occasion.

That fool.

Wretch!

Forgive me, My Lord.

No!

At this time,

the behavior of Lord Tadanaga grew abhorrent.

Sire!

To be continued.

To be continued.