Original subtitles

Prewar school textbooks in Japan have an anecdote on Motonari stressing the sibling bond.

Although it wasn't a true story, it reflected his desperate wish.

Motonari lost his brother Mototsuna and capable vassals, due to Mototsuna's revolt.

That is when he experienced the downfall of the Mori clan.

Based on his experiences, Motonari always told his children,

"If siblings have ill feelings against each other, the clan will surely go to ruin."

Yuki-dono!

- Sire. - Yuki-dono!

Motonari destroyed Yuki's Takahashi clan and expended his fief.

Thus, his neighboring clans started seeing him as a threat.

While other clans raised an alert level to the Mori,

the solidarity of his four children was his earnest wish.

MORI MOTONARI

Episode 22: Three Arrows

Screenplay by: Uchidate Makiko

Original Story by: Nagai Michiko

Music by: Watanabe Toshiyuki

Theme Song Performed by: 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

Chiyojumaru: Kamikawa Takaya

Eno: Takayashi Yumiko

Inoue Motokane: Kataoka Tsurutaro

Akagawa Motoyasu: Nagashima Toshiyuki

Kodama Naritada: Masuoka Toru

Katsura Motozumi: Tsurumi Shingo

Fukubara Hirotoshi: Sasano Takashi

Shiji Hiroyoshi: Nakamura Baijaku

Shishido Takaie: Kase Taishu Hisa: Matsukane Yoneko

Ouchi Yoshitaka: Kazama Toru

Amago Kunihisa: Shimizu Koji

Kikkawa Okitsune: Kyomoto Masaki

Sue Okifusa: Natsuyagi Isao

Sue Takafusa: Jinnai Takanori

Kame: Hazuki Riona

Amago Akihisa: Takashima Masanobu

Shishido Motoyoshi: Ishida Taro Uyama Hisakane: Isobe Tsutomu

Kamei Hidetsuna: Kawahara Sabu Kunishi Motosuke: Sakamoto Akira

Tokujumaru: Tomita Shigeo Kihara: Koneri Sho

Lady Sugi: Matsuzaka Keiko

Amago Tsunehisa: Ogata Ken

Produced by: Kida Yukinori

English Subtitles: Koala Fansubs

Directed by: Kobayashi Takeshi

Summer 1531 (Kyoroku 4)

Motonari, who destroyed his sister-in-law's Takahashi clan,

became only a stroke ahead of other provincial constables.

One day, he had an unexpected visitor.

It was Kikkawa Okitsune.

KIKKAWA OKITSUNE (Kikkawa Clan Head, Mii's Nephew)

He was Mii's late brother's first son.

As the current Kikkawa clan head, he held an important position on the Amago side.

Oh, Okitsune-dono.

What is the matter, all of a sudden?

How've you been, Okitsune?

I'm glad to see you, Auntie.

I'm happy see Fujino, too.

Did you bring any good news?

Sire.

You should think about becoming Amago Akihisa-dono's blood brother.

Since she lord attacked the divided Takahashi,

you think he will attack the divided Amago next. Is that what you're worried?

Actually, I personally advised Akihisa-dono to do so, for the sake of the Mori.

Akihisa-dono resents the Mori, who sided with the Ouchi.

He's trying to find a the time to attack you.

He is such a hot-blooded, confident man.

So you're thinking about the peace and security of the Mori for me?

That's right.

Sire.

You shouldn't make an enemy of Akihisa-dono.

But we are with the Ouchi. Becoming his blood brother is...

Such a logic doesn't work.

Motonari-dono, when you were with the Amago, you had the nerve to communicate with the Ouchi.

Okitsune.

- That's a strategy to survive. - It certainly is.

Motonari-dono.

I consider survival as a game.

Like backgammon, you're supposed to adopt various measures to reach the goal.

Enjoying the process is a good way of living, I think.

If you remove your worry of fighting the Amago now,

you can enjoy the process of making another measure.

I understood.

Okitsune-dono.

Please enjoy your stay here tonight.

Fujino.

You already know why Okitsune came over, don't you?

You don't need to answer.

It's your job to keep in touch with the Kikkawa.

But he seems to be a snake in the grass, you know?

Mii-sama, as long as I stay with you...

...you'll never be at peace as the lord's wife.

Mii-sama.

Please send me back to the Kikkawa.

No, I won't.

Well, I guess you should have been born as a man.

Yes, I was born as a woman by mistake. Are you having fun of me?

I'm just...

You're just trying to comfort me?

If you work with me for the Kikkawa, you can comfort me better!

Fujino, Fujino.

Isn't Okitsune thinking about something dreadful?

KIKKAWA OKITSUNE'S MANSION In July of 1531 (Kyoroku 4),

Motonari went to Kikkawa Okitsune's mansion.

I am Amago Akihisa, sir.

AMAGO AKIHISA (Tsunehisa's Grandson)

Sir, I am very honored to become your blood brother today.

Thank you for your courteous greeting.

I am Mori Motonari.

I am very sorry for having stopped you here.

Thus, Motonari became Amago Akihisa's blood brother.

How auspicious.

I am very happy to have witnessed the birth of such good brothers.

Thanks.

Here.

I'm a lightweight. I already got drunk.

I'm going to get some fresh air.

- Motonari. - Sorry.

- I'll pour for you. - Oh, thanks.

AMAGO KUNIHISA (Shingu Party Head)

What a nice breeze.

Feels so good.

By the way, Akihisa-dono.

Why do I have to become your blood brother?

What a laugh.

Okihisa-dono's rising? It's easy for me to quell it.

Then, why did you agree to become my blood brother?

I'm going to...

...seize power.

The Amago keep going eastward under my command now. You must be aware of that.

I'm going to Kyoto, to seize power.

I became your blood brother, because my lord ordered me.

Tsunehisa-dono did?

He keeps saying, "You can advance eastward, but beware of the Mori in your back."

Because he thinks highly of you, Motonari-dono.

Motonari.

You should never trust your blood brother.

As I go eastward, I can quell Okihisa-dono...

...and attack the Mori. The Amago have enough power to do everything.

Also, we have a hot-blooded group called the Shingu (New Shrine) Party.

You already know that.

Kikkawa Okitsune is another untrustworthy man.

Amago Akihisa is a dreadful man.

Tsunehisa-dono is over seventy now.

Akihisa-dono will take over pretty soon.

Until then, we must build the foundation.

Otherwise, you don't know what we'll get.

Akihisa simply doesn't like the fact that Tsunehisa-dono thinks highly of you.

He's so childish. You should just leave him alone.

He's scary, because he can dominate with his childish power.

Once he quells Okihisa-dono's revolt, he'll go eastward and probably...

...he'll start moving to kill us in his back.

Unlike Tsunehisa-dono, it's hard to predict what Akihisa will do.

We need to take some measures.

I...

...already know what kind of measure you have in your mind.

Mii.

Just be prepared.

However, for the following three years...

...Akihisa maintained an eerie silence.

Before January of 1534 (Tenbun 3),

Motonari had his third son, Tokujumaru.

ENO (Motonari's First Daughter) - Father.

Did you find an unusual bird?

You want to see it, Tokujumaru?

Just a little bit, because it's cold.

Eno, come over here.

You're like his real mother.

Because Mother's mind is preoccupied with Father.

Right, Tokujumaru?

You're more handsome than Father. I don't know why.

I'll change your diaper.

I thought she is a fierce girl, but she might make a good mother.

Sire! Sire! Sire!

- It's an emergency! - What's all your commotion about?

En'ya Okihisa committed suicide.

Okihisa failed in rising against his father Tsunehisa.

Okihisa's matter is cleared. We don't know what Akihisa will do next.

How dreadful.

Amago Akihisa and Ouchi Yosohitaka.

I heard they are both trying to seize power.

I wonder why they're so desperate.

I don't need power.

I have been prepared.

I'll...

I'll marry Eno off to Lord Shishido's grandson, Takaie-dono.

Takaie...?

Wait, sire.

You know what Takaie-dono was called before manhood, don't you?

He was called 'Kaizokumaru (Pirate Boy)'!!

- Yeah. - Yeah? That's it?

Are you giving your princess to the pirate?

Well, the Shishido's Goryu Castle is right next to ours.

They can become our dependable in-laws, if Akihisa attacks us.

I know how you feel, but you don't need the Pirate Boy for that.

It is said, "Names and natures do often agree."

He must be violent and crippled!!

Are you giving your princess away to a crippled rowdy fellow?

Sugi-dono.

The word 'pirate' means strong and dignified.

You got it wrong.

Great Lady.

I think the lord's idea is great.

What?

I have been prepared, too.

Eno is a strong-minded girl. She'll become a bridge with the Shishido.

She is perfect as their bride.

Please wait.

The Shishido and the Mori have been fighting at every occasion since your father's times.

You don't know when they'll start fighting us again.

How dare you send... your daughter to such a clan...!

Brides are not hostages.

If the two clans fight against each other, brides are sent home.

Even after she is engaged, her wedding will be a long time coming.

I have been prepared for that for many years.

Sugi-dono.

This is good for my daughter, too.

We have no choice.

But, sire.

Take someone strong when you go to talk about this engagement.

We have been on bad terms with them.

Just seeing the pirate boy and the pirate's grandfather puts your life in danger, you know?

I'm going by myself.

By yourself!?

Are you serious, sire!?

I've never heard of a clan's head going alone to his enemy's territory.

The Shishido have been trying to beat us since last generation. Didn't I just tell you?

I know...

I know this is a suicidal mission.

But I cannot settle this matter, unless I do that much.

All right.

Go by yourself.

You'll get killed by bandits, before you get to see the pirates.

You're going to go by yourself, take a low profile...

...and make them feel good. Am I right?

You probably found out what kind of person Shishido-dono is...

...and what kind of praises he would like.

You know everything, Mii.

GORYU CASTLE (Shishido Motoyoshi's Residence)

- Mori-dono. - I came here suddenly...

...because I was granted with a junior 5th court rank, Right Head Lead.

However, you already received a junior 5th court rank, Lord of Aki.

SHISHIDO MOTOYOSHI (Aki Provincial Constable) - I came to pay tribute to you.

Thank you for the kind words.

By the way...

...I heard Takaie-dono reached manhood.

How auspicious.

He must be an admirable general now.

That's what everybody says.

Oh, his parents died when he was younger. He was raised by me, his grandfather.

- He's not that great. - Oh, no.

People are praising him to the skies, you know.

I would like to see the jewel...

...polished by you, Shishido-dono.

He isn't as good.

Well, Mori-dono. I guess you're here to tell me something.

Um... that's...

My name is Takaie, sire.

What do you want, Takaie?

SHISHIDO TAKAIE (Motoyoshi's Grandson) - I wanted to see Mori Motonari-dono.

Please excuse my rudeness.

It is my pleasure to see such a famous general, who destroyed the Takahashi.

I am very honored.

I came here...

...to ask you to think about his marriage with my daughter Eno.

I'm the one who would like to ask that.

- Really? - Takaie!

Don't answer without thinking.

I needn't think. It's obvious.

Partnership with the Mori is the best for the Shishido clan.

Grandpa, you must have acknowledged the power of Mori-dono, who destroyed the Takahashi.

Surely, the two clans have a bloody past.

But we shouldn't be obsessed with our past.

Partnership between neighbors creates the greatest power.

Motoyoshi-dono.

He is as good as I've heard.

That makes me want him even more.

Motoyoshi-dono, please consider their engagement favarobly.

Somebody, bring sake over.

You agreed?

I don't want you to agree to my engagement without asking me.

Eno, I agreed not only for our clan...

...but also for you.

I want to think and decide for myself.

Don't you know why your father went there at risk of his own life?

What can you think and decide for yourself?

Men and women cannot live as they like in this world.

Nobody can choose anything in this world.

Then, something is wrong with this world!

It is, but this is where you live.

Why don't you try to get along with someone you're meeting by fate?

Father and Mother didn't choose to marry.

But we had children, fought together, and expanded our castle.

Now, I won't forgive anyone who draws sword against your father.

Didn't you say this, Eno?

"Mother's mind is preoccupied with Father."

That's what fate is.

Tsunehisa's grandson, Amago Akihisa, quelled his uncle's rebellion.

Then, he rapidly conquered the Ouchi's provincial constables in Bingo and Iwami.

Did you want to see us, sire?

I'm going to transfer responsibility for my clan to Akihisa.

Okihisa's matter is settled. It might be a good time for me now.

But Akihisa is still being shaky.

I need to watch him from behind.

You must be talking about becoming his guardian. But you're 80.

You cannot seize power only with youth.

So you want to make a move?

I, Hidetsuna, will do anything with you, Great Lord.

I, Hisakane, will do so, too.

I don't need a happy ending in my life.

I'd rather go to hell after having a life of pandemonium.

I'm going to transfer responsibility for my clan to Akihisa.

I'll keep working hard to preserve family honor.

I'd like to ask for your continuous guidance in the years to come.

Akihisa.

Do whatever you want, with your own vassals.

Shojumaru, what are you thinking?

Inoue-dono is absent again.

Never mind.

Let's begin.

Sire, your blood brotherhood with Akihisa is totally useless.

We worked hard to get the Takahashi fief.

But Akihisa took it and the neighboring provincial constables by force. Don't tell me you'd forgotten.

Lord became his blood brother while keeping his tie with the Ouchi for some reasons.

- For what reason? I want to hear that. - What?

Sire.

Akihisa will stir more things up for us.

I don't want any more battle.

Oh, why don't we side with the Amago again?

We're with the Ouchi.

His blood brotherhood with the Amago was a survival tactic.

The Mori is with the Ouchi.

We won't side with the Amago.

Inoue-dono.

You didn't come to the conference again. What are you trying to do?

Everybody is now trying to find out what the Amago will do.

The Ouchi or the Amago... I don't care anymore.

Motonari just yields to the powerful. He's a guy of that level.

Because he doesn't have power, he just sways between the Ouchi and the Amago.

I already knew that you wanted to manipulate the Mori.

But, Inoue-dono.

The Lord cannot be manipulated easily.

I have money.

Money is power.

He might not look it, but he is actually a scary man.

How naive.

You can buy almost anything with money.

I'll buy the Mori with money.

Inoue-dono, I'll keep your words to myself.

All right?

OUCHI YOSHITAKA'S MANSION (Yamaguchi)

Kame, daughter of Torayoshi (Murakami Navy Commander)...

KAME (Murakami Torayoshi's Daughter) ...was staying with the Ouchi family in Yamaguchi.

Father.

Is your sword wound hurting again?

No.

Please continue, sire.

Amago Akihisa has been stirring things up for the Mori.

This could make the Mori switch their side again.

OUCHI YOSHITAKA (Most Powerful Daimyo in Western Japan)

Yes, they are exposing their bare back to the Amago.

SUE TAKAFUSA (Okifusa's Second Son) - Sire.

Why don't we throw down the gauntlet against the Amago?

They have extended power. But, after all, they're no match for us.

They are puffed up, because we haven't really shown what we can do.

Sire.

Please just half-listen to what my son is saying.

"Win without fighting."

That's the basis for everything.

I'm fully aware of that!!

But we're just letting the Amago do as they please, because we're not fighting.

I'm saying now is the time for us to fight.

No.

Instead of throwing down the gauntlet against them...

...we should help the Mori to suppress the Amago.

Sire.

Helping the Mori out of hardships? You're too kind.

No matter how hard the situation is, the Mori must protect us as our walls. That's their job.

What is it you expect me to do?

We should take a hostage from the Mori.

They must prove that they'll never betray us, no matter how much they're shaken by the Amago.

We should have them send us a hostage.

Sending us who?

Their eldest son, Chiyojumaru.

- You want me to tell them to send their heir? - That's right.

If Motonari betrays us, we'll kill Chiyojumaru.

What are you looking at?

This is a coin from Ming China.

I'm wondering if I can see Ming China through this hole.

You must be trying to see Innoshima Island, because you're missing home.

I don't want to go home.

As long as I stay here, I get to see interesting books and items from Ming China.

I want to learn a lot more about overseas, so that I can help the Murakami Navy.

I hate women who want to do everything like men.

You hate me? I don't care at all.

I wonder if I can see through my father's mind.

I'm no match for him.

Every time I tell a good idea, he presents an even better idea.

He is a gentle, warm-hearted man, but he never lets his feelings take control.

He can discard people coldly.

He's like Motonari-dono.

Ah, Motonari is crying over an order from the Ouchi.

He's totally forgotten about Kame. He's crying with his wife.

CHIYOJUMARU (Mori Clan Heir)

Did you want to see me?

You're the Mori's heir and almost reaching manhood.

I've been looking for a good godfather for you.

A gentleman said he would be happy to be your godfather.

He is Ouchi Yoshitaka-dono.

Can I go to Yamaguchi then?

You don't know when you can come home.

Chiyojumaru.

After reaching manhood...

...you must stay in Yamaguchi.

I am going there as a hostage, aren't I?

You're letting me carry some of your burdens.

So you're acknowledging me as a man.

I, Chiyojumaru...

...will prove the Mori's loyalty with my own life.

I wish you stayed in my tummy forever.

When you were inside my tummy, we were always together.

When a baby comes out, that's the beginning of farewell.

In December of 1537 (Tenbun 6),

Motonari called his three sons over the night before Chiyojumaru left for Yamaguchi.

Now, break it.

Even Tokujumaru could break it.

How about this?

Now, break them.

Good.

You can break a single arrow.

But, if three arrows stay together, even Chiyojumaru cannot break them.

Tokujumaru.

Chiyojumaru.

Shojumaru.

Your brother is going to Yamaguchi.

You three don't know what kind of hardships are waiting in the future.

You might have to live in agony and want to be released by giving in.

In such times, think about those three arrows.

You have brothers. Never forget that.

You three have to be united by heart, become the three arrows,

and work together as a team.

Work together...

...always work together with your brothers for the Mori.

You must remember that.

Chiyojumaru.

I...

I...

...trust you.

Thank you.

Father.

You want to leave women out?

Um... I was...

I thought you wanted me to marry for our clan.

But I don't have to work with my brothers, do I?

Somebody.

Bring four arrows.

Eno, hold it.

Try it.

Please do not worry.

Father, Mother.

I'm going.

Sire.

I, Hiroyoshi, will protect him.

I'm counting on you.

Please live long and wait for me to come home.

Chiyojumaru.

Stay well.

Chiyojumaru.

"He might not see me again,"

Motonari and Mii were trying not to think so.

End of Episode 22