Original subtitles

You can break a single arrow.

But, if you have three arrows, even Chiyojumaru cannot break them.

You three have to be united by your hearts. Become the three arrows,

and work together as a team.

Brothers work together to protect the Mori.

Motonari, who was caught between great powers,

made a desperate diplomatic policy.

He sent his first son, Chiyojumaru, to the Ouchi as a hostage,

and married his first daughter, Eno, off to his arch-rival, the Shishido.

His dear children became shields to protect the Mori.

However, another man was trying to advance to Aki.

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

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

MORI MOTONARI

Episode 23: Invasion of the Amago

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

Chiyojumaru: Kamikawa Takaya

Eno: Takayashi Yumiko

Shiji Hiroyoshi: Nakamura Baijaku

Katsura Motozumi: Tsurumi Shingo

Watanabe Suguru: Enoki Takaaki

Watanabe Kayou: Katsumura Masanobu Hisa: Matsukane Yoneko

Kunishi Motosuke: Sakamoto Akira Awaya Motochika: Shionoya Masayuki

Kosanta: Nasa Kenji Shojumaru: Ando Kazushi Tokujumaru: Tomita Shigeo

Ouchi Yoshitaka: Kazama Toru

Naito Okimori: Onodera Akira

Amago Kunihisa: Shimizu Koji

Toshi: Otsuka Nene

Sue Okifusa: Natsuyagi Isao

Sue Takafusa: Jinnai Takanori

Kame: Hazuki Riona

Amago Akihisa: Takashima Masanobu

Shishido Motoyoshi: Ishida Taro Shishido Takaie: Kase Taishu

Uyama Hisakane: Isobe Tsutomu Kamei Hidetsuna: Kawahara Sabu

Lady Sugi: Matsuzaka Keiko

Amago Tsunehisa: Ogata Ken

Produced by: Kida Yukinori

English subtitles: Koala Fansubs

Directed by: Ochi Atsushi

-- December 1537 (Tenbun 6) --

Fujino, good news!

While the Amago were extending their influence,

Motonari had to show his unchanging loyalty to the Ouchi.

He already sent his first son, Chiyojumaru, to Ouchi Yoshitaka's mansion in Yamaguchi, as a hostage.

Sire, I received a letter from Chiyojumaru.

Sire, he wrote me.

Boys always miss their mothers once they move out.

I haven't received anything.

Oh, I'm sorry. I'm getting everything.

Sire.

He said he was welcomed by everyone there.

Well, he went there as a hostage, when the Amago were trying to attack us.

He must be the one who is the most relieved.

Sire.

Oh, here.

Please read here.

Not only Lord Ouchi, but also people in town, praised how Chiyojumaru looked.

I was afraid if they would think him as a mountain monkey.

I'm relieved.

Here.

Please read here.

"Yamaguchi is a great place, but there aren't any women who are as pretty as Sugi-sama."

Chiyojumaru-sama! How honest of him!

I was afraid if he would think of Sugi-sama as a mountain monkey compared with the women in Yamaguchi.

I'm relieved.

Hey, Mii.

Why are you crying?

Chiyojumaru is all right.

Yes.

You have to write him back.

What shall I write?

Fujino had received a secret letter from someone unexpected.

-- OUCHI MANSION (Yamaguchi) --

I'm sorry.

-- CHIYOJUMARU --

I am Chiyojumaru, Mori Motonari's first son.

I thought so.

You look a lot like Motonari-dono.

Do you know my father?

-- KAME -- Oh, excuse me.

I am Kame, of the Murakami navy.

Your mother told you?

She told me a girl has seduced my father.

Men and women are in the same line.

There's no seducer or victim.

Don't worry.

Girls forget everything, if they don't see their men for a year.

Anyway,

you must have come here as a hostage.

Yes.

The lord will become my godfather tonight, when I reach manhood.

Congratulations.

As you may know, the Ouchi and the Amago must fight at some future time.

The Mori, who are caught between, had to send you as a hostage ...

... to get through this crisis.

I'm all prepared.

Chiyojumaru-dono.

Your father wouldn't do anything to get you killed.

But the Amago will surely rise up against the Mori.

You must be suffering, but your father is suffering even more.

Kame-dono.

You don't seem to have forgotten about my father.

If the Mori yield to the Amago, your head will be chopped off.

You don't know when you will die.

So you must report the Ouchi's movements to your father and have him make use of it.

I'm going to do my part admirably. I already know.

You're so serious-minded.

You're making me want to see your father.

Excuse me.

That night,

in December, 1537 (Tenbun 6),

the Ouchi clan held a manhood ceremony for Chiyojumaru.

Chiyojumaru received a character from Ouchi Yoshitaka's name.

He changed his name to Mori Shonotaro Takamoto.

-- NAITO OKIMORI -- -- (Ouchi Key Vassal) --

Takamoto-sama.

-- TOSHI -- -- (Naito Okimori's Daughter) --

I am Toshi, Naito Okimori's daughter.

My father told me to bring you this mirror.

Naito-dono did?

When he reached manhood, he too, saw himself reflected on the surface of the water.

He said he couldn't see well.

Thank you.

Father.

I am going to Kyoto with the lord soon.

-- SUE TAKAFUSA (Ouchi Vassal) -- Because Amago Akihisa is...

...steadily extending his influence in national politics.

We cannot let him win.

-- SUE OKIFUSA -- -- (Ouchi Key Vassal, Takafusa's Father) --

Don't go to Kyoto.

The Otomo in Kyushu, the Amago in Izumo...

They might invade us while you are gone.

The shogun has no power now.

He cannot even suppress the Ikko Sect riots.

He's been urging the Ouchi and the Amago to come to Kyoto...

...because he wants us to help him.

Because he has no power, we can juggle him around!

We shouldn't show Kyoto to the lord!!

Kyoto is too elegant and too beautiful.

You and the lord are really getting along. That makes me so happy.

But, in fact, you two have conflicting personalities.

You are a fighter.

The lord is a noble, who loves music and poems more than battles.

You are getting along now.

But, once the lord sees Kyoto, he'll change.

He'll change for sure.

If you show him Kyoto, the Ouchi go down!

I'm trying to accomplish something you couldn't, Father.

You're just jealous of me!

What...?

I, Takafusa, will seize power with the lord!

We're going to Kyoto, all right!?

Damn fool...!

-- KORIYAMA CASTLE -- -- (Aki) --

Kayou-dono.

You wrote me and asked me to recommend you as the lord's vassal.

But I haven't told him anything.

--WATANABE KAYOU -- -- (The Late Suguru's First Son) --

I'm going to take you to the lord now. It's a reckless mission.

Yes.

Please promise me once again.

You will never avenge your father's death on the lord.

I had already forgotten about vengeance.

The secret letter Fujino received was from Watanabe Kayou.

Thirteen years ago

Kayou believed that his father was killed by Motonari's order.

He had hid himself since his father's death.

He was serving the Yamauchi clan in Bingo.

I trust you, Kayou-dono.

I had wanted to help your father.

But I couldn't.

That's why, at least, I want to help your wish come true. You know?

Yes.

Dying to avenge someone means nothing.

Dying to help someone is far more meaningful.

You know?

I know it well.

Kayou.

You are here for real?

You surprised me.

Sire, Your Ladyship.

I know it.

Kayou.

Why don't you serve me?

You must hate me.

Your father, Suguru, was killed, because of me.

Kayou.

Serve me.

Fujino.

Thanks.

Thanks for bringing him over.

I, Watanabe Kayou,

would like to serve you, sire.

-- GASSAN-TODA CASTLE (Izumo) -- Meanwhile,

the young lord of the Amago, Akihisa, was sending troops out.

-- AMAGO AKIHISA -- -- (Amago Lord, Tsunehisa's Grandson) --

He was steadily proceeding on a path towards rulership.

Sanuki. Iyo.

Bungo. Buzen.

Suo. Nagato. I want them all.

Great Lord.

I just came back from the battle in Harima.

You don't like clam shell matching?

I don't.

Just matching the pictures? What's the fun of it?

Great Lord.

I'm going to attack the Mori.

The Amago now have more momentum than the Ouchi.

Excuse me.

Izumo. Hoki.

Bingo. Bitchu.

In east, we have Inaba, Mimasaka, Bizen, and Harima.

In west, we now have the Iwami silver mine.

But, right behind us in Aki,

there are the Mori, who are on the Ouchi's side.

We can't control here.

-- AMAGO KUNIHISA -- -- (Amago Key Vassal, Shingu Party Head) --

Giving the Mori clout now ...

... will lead us to the path of rulership, we think.

The Amago are still unsteady on their feet.

The Mori are tough.

Going to the enemy's territory now is dangerous.

Battles don't go like a clam shell matching game.

Pardon me for saying so, but...

I am the Amago clan's head.

I know.

Akihisa.

Take it easy.

Wait for the right time.

-- SUE OKIFUSA'S MANSION -- -- April 1539 (Tenbun 8) --

The Ouchi's key vassal and mainstay, Sue Okifusa, was gravely ill.

Father.

Your fever will go down soon.

Bustling noise in Kyoto...

I hear bustling on the main street.

Brace up, Father!

You're just hearing the chanting to lower your temperature.

Bustling noise in Kyoto.

The lord seized power. He's smiling.

Father.

Father!!

Takafusa.

I was having a dream.

I was with the lord...

...in a camp.

It was hard...

...but it was fun.

Father.

If I am born again...

...I want to be a samurai.

I want to repeat the same life, once again.

Father.

I, Takafusa...

...was jealous of you, because you are too great.

But...

I am proud of you, who want to repeat the same life.

You have a much stronger backbone than I do.

The day you were born,

I was overjoyed.

I was running around the castle.

Father.

I will live a full life, too.

I want to live fully and say, "I want to repeat the same life."

The lord becomes weak sometimes.

Takafusa.

You must protect him throughout life.

The main street in Kyoto...

The lord seized power...

He is walking on the main street...

I'm so happy�

So happy...

Father!!

Father!

I, Takafusa ...

... will protect the lord!

Please rest assured!

Father.

In 1539 (Tenbun 8),

Sue Okifusa, a great general, left this life.

His aspirations were taken over by his son, Takafusa.

But, as he predicted,

the Ouchi would follow a strange fate.

-- GASSAN-TODA CASTLE -- -- (Izumo) --

Great Lord.

After considering the situation carefully,

we decided to attack the Mori by my authority.

I would like to report to you the decision.

Sue Okifusa died.

Since the Ouchi lost its mainstay, they cannot afford to help the Mori.

We cannot find a better opportunity.

We, the Shingu (New Shrine) Party, are going to battle.

Great Lord, please stay here and wait for the good news.

Excuse us.

- Great Lord. - Don't worry.

Let him do whatever he wants.

I'll clean up everything.

Great Lord. You should remember how old you are.

Just give us orders.

Come to think of it,

I can live longer thanks to Akihisa.

Look.

-- "King" -- - This is me.

-- "King" -- - This is Akihisa.

-- "Rook" "Bishop" --

You're a rook, Kamei.

You're a bishop, Uyama.

Do your own jobs to tightly protect Akihisa.

I'm counting on you.

Charge!

Go!

Amago Shingu (New Shrine) Party!

The Amago clan, mainly led by the Shingu Party, started preparing for a battle.

Sire.

Bingo Road is steep. It's too dangerous for a grand army.

And we have to cross the Eno River.

That'll make our soldiers exhausted.

On the other hand, the Iwami Road is easier for an army procession.

It's safer.

But...

The Iwami Road leads us to the front of Koriyama Castle.

The Bingo Road leads us to the back of the castle.

That's right.

Bingo Road.

Knock down Goryu Castle,

and attack Koriyama Castle from behind in one stroke.

I agree with you.

-- KORIYAMA CASTLE -- -- (Aki) --

Their plan to attack the Mori was reported to Motonari.

-- AWAYA MOTOCHIKA -- -- (Mori Key Vassal, Intelligence Officer in Charge of the Amago Matters) --

The Amago will certainly attack us.

But I haven't found out when.

They are sending an army 3,000-strong.

They are The Shingu Party, the Amago's elite unit led by Kunihisa.

The Shingu Party, huh?

Nobody can win a battle against The Shingu Party.

So we can't win.

Now.

Which road are they taking?

I don't know if they are taking the Iwami Road or the Bingo Road.

I think they'll probably take Bingo Road and cross the Eno River.

Princess Eno married into the Shishido at Goryu Castle.

Her castle will be the first target.

Takamoto or Eno.

We must kill one of them, right?

If Goryu Castle is attacked, Eno dies.

If we kneel down to the Amago and save her,

the Ouchi will kill Takamoto.

I don't want them to die.

Sire.

Please save them.

How can you kill my children?

I beg you, sire!

- Please save them! - Mii.

You ...

... used to say this all the time,

"You're almost winning."

I gave birth to them.

I won't let anyone kill them. I gave birth to them!

Mii.

You may only cry when you're with me.

Takamoto.

Eno.

No parent wants to leave her children to die.

-- June 1540 (Tenbun 9) --

The Amago army advanced on the Bingo Road with 3,000 men.

That meant, Eno, at Goryu Castle, was approaching death.

Eno.

I'm sorry.

Sire.

You're almost wining, aren't you?

I was reading a book Fujino has.

It says military strength doesn't determine battles.

Look.

Emperor Kuang Hsu of the Han Dynasty, with only a few thousand soldiers,

defeated Wang Mang's 420,000-strong army.

Xie Xuan of the Qin Dynasty, with only 80,000 men, defeated Fu Jian's 1,000,000-strong army.

Minamoto Yoshitsune, with only 3,000 men, defeated the Heike's 50,000-strong army.

Sire.

The Amago's 3,000-strong army?

You're almost winning.

I won't forget your words of encouragement.

You're right.

I must think I'm almost winning.

I'm going to Goryu Castle.

Are you bringing Eno home?

If I bring her home, the Shishido might betray us.

Then,

the Amago can capture this castle without any trouble.

Eno is...

She is...

Just be prepared.

Hurry!

-- GORYU CASTLE (Shishido Motoyoshi's Residence) -- -Bring them over!

Shift yourselves!

Gonsuke.

Go to Iwaya Castle and ask them if they have enough provisions.

An army marches on it's stomach, you know?

Father.

-- ENO (Motonari's First Daughter) -- -What brought you here?

Is Mother doing well?

Eno.

Shift yourselves!

Here is our deployment, sir.

-- SHISHIDO MOTOYOSHI (Shishido Clan Head) -- -The Amago are taking the Bingo Road? My pleasure.

I know the geography of my fief. It's my backyard.

On top of that...

-- SHISHIDO TAKAIE-- -- (Motoyoshi's Grandson, Eno's Husband) --

...we, the Shishido, are good at fighting on mountains.

No need to be afraid of a 3,000-man army.

What dependable words.

But don't underestimate the Shingu Party.

The Mori, too, will deploy the entire army.

If the Amago are taking the Bingo Road,

Their last assembly place will be probably here.

Yachimanyama Castle of Shiwachi.

To head for Koriyama Castle from there,

they have to cross the great Eno River.

But the river in our fief has sheer cliffs one after another.

If the Amago's grand army is crossing the river,

the only available place for them is here, at the foot of Iwaya Castle.

Iwamido Pass.

Iwamido Pass, huh?

Now, how much is Iwaya Castle is prepared?

It's a small but strong castle.

Motonari-dono.

My younger brother is there.

I'll make him guard his castle tightly.

He will use all kinds of tricks to stop them from crossing the river.

If he doesn't have enough strength,

we'll send the entire army to protect the castle.

You're my father-in-law.

Please leave everything to us.

Thank you for the kind words.

I feel relieved.

The Great Lord and the Lord tried to send me back to Koriyama Castle.

But I said, "I'm going to stay here."

I'll never die.

Because I'm very much like you, Father.

Every time you were in danger, Father,

you made it through, didn't you?

I'm your daughter. Don't worry about anything.

Do you still remember?

When I was little, had a nightmare and cried,

you always patted my head.

After you did so, I wasn't frightened of anything.

Yeah, I remember.

Eno.

Please tell mother ...

... that I was smiling.

Tell her not to worry about anything.

Please encourage her.

As the Shishido expected,

the 3,000-man Amago army tried to cross the river at Iwamido Pass.

The Shishido army guarding the area was far smaller than they.

It would be a hard battle.

Advance!

Advance!

Sire!

-- KORIYAMA CASTLE -- -- (Motonari's Headquarters) --

Lord Shishido went to Iwaya Castle with his entire army.

All right.

We're going to battle tomorrow morning.

Gentlemen!

Prepare your units immediately!

Eno.

I just got news on our army is crossing the Eno River.

We're getting shot at from Iwaya Castle across the river.

But no one is yielding an inch.

They must be having a decisive battle at Koriyama Castle now.

Great Lord.

Great Lord.

The Shingu Party has been crushed.

Crushed�?

After fighting all night and all day,

they finally advanced to a hard place in the river.

But it was a shallow rocky stretch.

From the top of the cliff...

On top of the cliff,

enemy soldiers were in ambush, weren't they?

Yes.

They dropped giant logs and rocks.

Some were smashed by them or drowned in the river.

Many men died.

After the chaos,

The Shingu Party had to retreat.

I'm going to battle next time.

Via Iwami Road, leading the entire Amago army.

I'm going to attack Koriyama Castle head-on.

Uyama.

A poised man like you is needed on a battlefield.

Go with Akihisa.

Report to me every situation there.

Great Lord.

Are you...?

Yes. If it comes down to it,

I might have to go there.

They're making me work until I die.

Now, even Amago Akihisa will lay low for a while.

Eno did great.

We must thank her.

She's got guts.

Anyway, I hate to think what will happen.

She will say, "I saved Koriyama Castle!"

She'll start bragging to Takamoto and her other brothers.

That's very likely, because the Ouchi didn't help us this time.

She'd say, "Takamoto, what were you doing then?"

Because she's fierce.

What's wrong, Kosanta?

What's the matter, Kosanta?

Amago Akihisa is going to attack the Mori.

He's going to lead his entire army.

- When? - Two months from now.

- From where? - From the Iwami Road.

How strong they are?

20,000 men.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Akihisa wants to attack Koriyama Castle head-on, with all his might.

Motonari was about to be driven to the wall.

End of Episode 23