Original subtitles

Please sign this joint statement that approves Motonari-dono's succession.

There was a man who was taking advantage of Moronari's succession ...

... to extend his power in the Mori clan.

It was Inoue Motokane.

As a Mori vassal with strong economic power, he had an ambition of controlling the Mori in the future.

INOUE MOTOKANE As the Inoue Clan Head

Motonari-dono.

My longtime wish has come true. I'm so happy, sir.

INOUE MOTOKANE As a Double-Tongued Ruffian

A capable man knows how to speak with a double or triple tongue,

without letting others find out his true intentions.

Motonari lost his younger brother Mototsuna ...

... and his key vassal, Katsura Hirozumi.

In the wavering Mori clan,

with Inoue's hidden intensions,

Motonari's succession is causing more repercussions.

MORI MOTONARI

Episode 17: A Fierce Dawn

Screenplay by: Uchidate Makiko

Original story by: Nagai Michiko

Music by: Watanabe Toshiyuki

Theme performed by: The NHK Symphony Orchestra Music performed by: Concert Regnie

Title calligraphy by: Mori Motonari Narration by: Hirano Keiko

CAST

Mori Motonari: Nakamura Hashinosuke

Lady Mii: Tomita Yasuko

Fujino: Kaga Mariko

Inoue Motokane: Kataoka Tsurutaro

Katsura Motozumi: Tsurumi Shingo

Watanabe Kayou: Katsumura Masanobu

Fukubara Hirotoshi: Sasano Takashi

Shiji Hiroyoshi: Nakamura Baijaku

Lady Aio: Matsubara Chiaki

Lady Yuki: Ichiro Maki

Watanabe Suguru: Enoki Takaaki

Hisa: Matsukane Yoneko Kosanta: Nasa Kenji

Lady Sugi: Matsuzaka Keiko

Produced by: Kida Yukinori

English subtitles: Koala Fansubs

Directed by: Kobayashi Takeshi

April, 1524 (Taiei 4)

The Mori's key vassal, Katsura Hirozumi, and Motonari's half-brother, Aio Mototsuna,

failed in their rebellion against the Mori.

Their deaths cast a big shadow over Motonari.

Sire.

What are you doing?

I'm going to Mototsuna's grave.

I'll have someone pick flowers for you.

I want to pick flowers for him.

SHIJI HIROYOSHI Are you trying to make it up to him?

How long are you going to be depressed?

"They rose in arms, because I took over the clan."

"If I didn't do it, they wouldn't have died." How long are you going to say that?

I worked behind the scenes to make you inherit the clan leadership.

Then, you pick flowers with me.

No, I won't.

It was hard for me to make them die,

but I did it for the sake of the Mori.

I'm not going to pick flowers for atonement.

-- These are flowers for pledging. -- Pledging?

Mototsuna died for the Mori.

I'll never forget his intensions.

I am going to make the Mori stronger.

That's what I want to pledge to him.

LADY AIO

I'm...

This must have been what Mototsuna wanted.

He ran away from me to stick to his beliefs.

Then, he died.

I'm proud of my son.

Mototsuna.

Your brother came to see you.

Aio-dono.

I will not waste my brother's death.

Mototsuna.

Forgive me.

I'll ...

... never forget ...

... your feelings.

His tombstone is small,

but he died for a big cause.

He must have no regret.

I have only one favor to ask, sire.

The flowers will wilt without water.

Would you get water from a local farmer?

I know it's an outrageous request for a lord,

but it's too heavy for me to carry.

I'll be glad to.

Mototsuna...

Mototsuna...!

Mototsuna!!

Aio-dono...

Here.

I heard Aio-dono committed suicide.

Is it true?

She was with us until yesterday.

How did it happen?

They were all with us until yesterday!

I shouldn't have gone to get the water.

It was good that you did so.

Aio-dono must be smiling and telling Mototsuna-dono ...

... that she made the lord go and get water for her.

No matter how hard things are,

you shouldn't kill yourself. It's wrong.

As long as your body is warm, you're allowed to live by Buddha.

It's wrong to disobey Buddha!

It's all ...

... my fault!

Excuse me.

Father.

I heard you didn't eat anything today.

If I had joined their rebellion,

Katsura-dono and Mototsuna-dono might not have died.

Same for Aio-dono.

We...

WATANABE SUGURU I shared the same vision as Katsura-dono.

But I refused to join him.

A rebellion might have been a way to protect the Mori.

But I didn't want to be part of it.

Father, I think you protected the Mori by not killing the lord.

Motokane, what's the matter?

Sire.

Watanabe-dono has been acting funny.

What is he doing?

The night when Katsura died,

INOUE MOTOKANE I saw Watanabe-dono in front of the castle.

He and Katsura must have agreed that, if Katsura failed, he would rise in arms.

Wanatabe seems to be planning another rebellion for Katsura.

Suguru wouldn't do something like that.

I can't believe that.

I understand how you feel,

but you must be careful with him.

I don't want to lose any more people, just because I took over the clan.

If Suguru rises up,

I'd rather be slain by him.

If Watanabe dies,

you'll be ranked after the lord and Shiji.

You're right. That's fair enough.

What I want is ...

... the Mori.

I might have to draw my sword against the lord and Shiji in the future.

Are you thinking that far?

No, I'm not thinking anything.

I'll come out on top first.

I always liked falcons as a child.

Falcons fly, perch on high trees, and never come down to the ground.

Other birds like chickens have to walk on the ground.

They'll be eaten by people eventually. I don't want to be like them.

That's how I felt as a little boy.

But, if you just come out on top, you'll be crushed by someone else.

A truly capable man knows how to make more capable men work for him after he comes out on top.

Listen.

Keep an eye on Watanabe, all right?

Talking with you, Yuki-dono, makes me feel a little better.

We lost people one after another. Everything started looking meaningless.

Sugi-dono.

I also feel like I'm dead even though I'm still alive.

LADY YUKI A woman, whose husband and child has died,

doesn't really exist in this world.

She is just allowed to breathe in this world.

Now that you mention it, I, too, have nothing to do.

From now on, men must learn how to utilize women.

Otherwise, they can't be leaders.

If they know how to use your brains,

and my beauty,

we'll work very hard without sleeping, you know?

You're right.

Sugi-dono.

You'd better "sharpen your weapons" all the time.

Well, you'll have to excuse me now.

I'm going home to take a nap for my skin.

Katsura Motozumi-dono is here, sire.

What brought you here in the nighttime?

KATSURA MOTOZUMI (Hirozumi's Son) Can we talk in private?

Leave us alone, Kayou.

You must already know what I'm going to tell you.

I want to avenge my father's shame.

Watanabe-dono.

Will you help me?

You must be worried about the future of the Mori, too.

My father stood up for the sake of the Mori but he couldn't fulfill his dreams.

Will you please help me for him?

I don't want to believe it either.

But I heard Watanabe-dono and Katsura Motozumi-dono are planning a rebellion.

That's what my spies said.

Inoue-dono.

Can you spy on Watanabe-dono?

We'll spy on Motozumi-dono.

Motokane.

FIrst,

you must find proof of their rebellion.

Don't do anything ...

... until you find proof.

If I find proof...

If I find it --

... can I kill him on the spot?

You got more news from my clan's spy?

FUJINO You don't have to tell me, if you don't want to.

But let me say this again.

If somebody is trying to hurt the lord,

I'll do anything to fight back.

I don't mind being called a coward or making an enemy of the entire nation.

Mii-sama.

You're love the lord that much.

What made you fall so much in love?

Because the lord is trying to live with all his might.

As his wife, I know that best.

I heard that Katsura Motozumi entered Watanabe-dono's mansion.

They might rise together in arms against the lord.

Why did you try to hide that from me?

Fujino.

Are you in love with Watanabe-dono?

If you tell me,

Watanabe-dono might be killed before he rises in arms.

No wonder you didn't want to tell me.

I don't want him to die!

Fujino.

You're in love now. I'm happy for you.

I don't want the lord to die. You don't want Watanabe-dono to die.

I know so well how you're feeling.

I'm just ...

... looking at him from a distance.

I'm going to tell the lord about Watanabe-dono, alright?

You do whatever you want, Fujino.

No hard feelings.

I'll never let my lord die.

Sire?

It can't ...

... happen to Suguru.

Father.

Fujino-dono?

What's the matter?

I know I'm acting out of line, as a woman.

But it's about the life of someone who's precious to Mii-sama. Please forgive my rudeness.

What are you talking about?

Watanabe-sama.

Please don't raise a rebellion.

Rebellion?

-- Neither Motonari-dono or you shouldn't die. -- What are you talking about?

Why are you playing innocent?

Watanabe-dono.

Please don't die!

I know everything.

If the lord dies, Her Ladyship will grieve.

And, if the worst happens to you,

I will!

I'm so embarrassed.

I thought you were going to rise in arms, Watanabe-sama...

Please forgive me.

Well, thank you for coming over and worrying about me.

Oh, please don't.

Neither the lord or I will die.

You asked me that much. I cannot die no matter what happens.

WATANABE'S MANSION I'm Inoue Motokane!

Please open the gates!

What brings you here at this time of night?

I came to talk with Watanabe-dono.

Please show me the way.

I'll relay your message now.

Inoue-dono, who are they?

Go!!

Rioting!

Kill Watanabe Suguru!

Father!!

Father! Inoue-dono is...!!

What!?

You weren't planning a rebellion!

Why is this happening to you!?

Kayou, run away. Take the back door.

What about you, Father?

Don't worry.

Fujino-dono. Take Kayou with you.

Yes!

I'll fight with you, Father!

No!!

Hurry!

I'll fight with you!!

Don't you know what your father wants?

Prepare to die!

Father!!

Hurry!!

-- Hurry and go! -- Father!!

-- Father...! -- Go!!

-- Father! -- Kayou-dono.

Hurry!

Father!!

Hurry.

This is the lord's order.

Is that so?

This is...

...how I would live.

Kill him!

Put him down.

Motokane!!

Fujino?

Watanabe-dono...

Watanabe-dono is dead.

How dare he! I'll kill Motokane!!

Fujino!

Calm down!

Mii-sama!

Why did this happen?

Fujino?

Watanabe-dono.

Watanabe-dono is dead!

He is dead?

Why did you kill him!?

I found solid proof, so I killed him.

What kind of proof?

-- Watanabe Suguru died with dignity. -- What's the proof!?

I'm asking you what kind of proof you found.

Then, let me tell you, sire.

I went to his mansion, just to ask him if he was going to raise a rebellion.

Then, they attacked us first.

That's the proof.

Why didn't you arrest him to interrogate?

Do you think I was willing to kill Watanabe?

Motozumi is the same. You don't know what he is planning.

You have no time.

Sire!

Katsura Motozumi seems to be trying to attack Koriyama Castle.

-- Motozumi is? -- Sire.

See what's happening?

Sire! Please send troops to Katsura's mansion!

Shiji.

I'm going there by myself.

No, you can't!

His mansion is full of his soldiers.

I want to see it for myself.

Sire!!

Hurry up!

Sire...?

Wait.

Motonari is here!

Motozumi!

Motozumi!

Where's Motozumi?

Motozumi!

Where's Motozumi?

Motozumi.

Don't you know what your father wanted?

Why do you waste your life?

If you raise in arms to avenge your father's shame,

and end up dying yourself,

your father would be more ashamed.

Why don't you understand that!?

A child is supposed to succeed with his father's unfulfilled dreams.

Hirozumi...

Hirozumi...

... told me right before he died.

"I'll entrust a new Mori to you."

-- No, he wouldn't say that. -- He did.

What Hirozumi entrusted to me ...

... wasn't your rising up in arms!!

Your father...

Your father rose in arms ...

... because he was worried about the future of the Mori!

Motozumi.

You ...

... must help the Mori!!

If you really loved your father,

you must know what exactly he said.

Motozumi!

Don't you ...

... believe your father's words!?

I...

I...

will keep my promise with Hirozumi,

and create a new Mori!!

Please help me.

No.

Kill me.

I...

I can trust you, because you are Hirozumi's son.

If you can't trust me, whom your father trusted,

then, kill me.

Sire!

I would like to have this sword.

I won't punish Katsura Motozumi.

Motokane.

Thanks for having been faithful to my order.

So you'll forgive everyone?

Right.

These incidents were all caused by my orders.

It's nobody else's fault.

It's my fault.

I will never make such a mistake again.

Inoue.

Shiji.

Grandpa Fukubara.

I want you three to bring your hearts together for a new Mori,

and work together.

I'm impressed with the lord.

He went there all by himself and made an ally of Motozumi-dono.

Hisa.

Don't you think a new era has started in the Mori?

I think so.

Motonari-sama's era has just started.

He complains too much,

but he is splendid sometimes.

I'm impressed with Fujino, too.

How true.

She is ugly,

but she saved Kayou-dono's life. How splendid.

I wonder why I was born with such beauty.

I envy Fujino-dono.

An ugly woman lost control of herself for a man.

Watanabe-dono must have been moved by her.

A beautiful woman like me looks cold even if she loses control of herself.

She who laughs last ...

... might be an ugly woman.

Sugi-sama.

You're learning a different perspective. I'm happy for you.

I'm happy that Motozumi changed his mind, but...

But...

I didn't want to give that sword away.

I miss my sword...

How long are you going to complain?

You need new vassals.

If you're sissy like that, nobody wants to become your vassal.

I know it well.

Not the hereditary vassals from my father and brother's times.

I need my own vassals.

I must win their hearts at any cost.

You already won my heart, sire.

-- I have the proof... -- The proof?

Um...

I'm... pregnant again...

Really?

Yes.

That's... great.

-- You don't look happy. -- Oh, Mii.

That's not what it is.

You don't want your sons to kill each other, right?

Every day,

I'm telling my baby to be good to his brother.

So you're almost winning, sire.

Well, but...

Having blood-related people makes me feel down.

You're so weird.

Most lords want to produce as many children as possible for their clans.

Are you thinking ...

... of having a baby with another woman?

Don't talk stupid...!

If that happens,

I'll kill the baby.

Hey, don't say scary things.

Otherwise, I'll kill you, sire.

Hey.

Don't say scary things when you shave me.

Alright.

-- Now, shave me. -- Yes.

The dawn of a young generation was ...

... the dawn of a more fierce time for the Mori.

End of Episode 17