Original subtitles

In August of 1540 (Tenbun 9),

Motonari holed up in Koriyama Castle ...

... and had a miraculous victory beating the 20,000-man Amago army only with 1,200 men.

Since the Amago suffered a crushing defeat,

many constables switched sides to the Ouchi.

The Ouchi influence extended to Izumo Province, near Gassan-Toda Castle.

The Ouchi main force, led by Sue Takafusa, was in pursuit of the Amago.

However, the cornered Amago still had an ace.

The ace was Amago Tsunehisa.

Tsunehisa, who continuously fought through battles,

had built so much power that, later in life, he was called the "great lord of 11 provinces."

He was preparing the last and greatest gamble in his life.

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

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

MORI MOTONARI

Episode 25: Amago Tsunehisa Dies

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

Mori Takamoto: Kamikawa Takaya

Akagawa Motoyasu: Nagashima Toshiyuki

Kodama Naritada: Masuoka Toru

Katsura Motozumi: Tsurumi Shingo

Shiji Hiroyoshi: Nakamura Baijaku

Hisa: Matsukane Yoneko Shojumaru: Iwabuchi Yukihiro

Shojumaru: Ando Kazushi Tokujumaru: Tomita Shigeo

Sue Takafusa: Jinnai Takanori

Kikkawa Okitsune: Kyomoto Masaki

Naito Okimori: Onodera Akira

Toshi: Otsuka Nene

Amago Kunihisa: Shimizu Koji

Ouchi Yoshitaka: Kazama Toru

Kame: Hazuki Riona

Amago Akihisa: Takashima Masanobu

Lady Hagi: Takahata Atsuko Kamei Hidetsuna: Kawahara Sabu

Uyama Hisakane: Isobe Tsutomu Kunishi Motosuke: Sakamoto Akira

Lady Sugi: Matsuzaka Keiko

Amago Tsunehisa: Ogata Ken

Produced by: Kida Yukinori

English subtitles: Koala Fansubs

Directed by: Matsuoka Koji

It takes courage to retreat.

I'll take the rear.

Please, protect the lord.

In 1541 (Tenbun 10),

the Amago unexpectedly suffered a terrible defeat.

They lost a great commander: Uyama Hisakane.

Uyama-dono!

Uyama-dono!

-- AMAGO AKIHISA -- -- (Amago Clan Head, Tsunehisa's Grandson) --

I commanded poorly in attacking Koriyama Castle.

I feel torn up inside.

I apologize for my Shingu Party.

-- AMAGO KUNIHISA -- -- (Shingu Party Head) --

The Mori victory gave power to the Ouchi.

-Our difficult position is obvious... -Why...!

-Why didn't you take Uyama-dono's advice? -Great Lord.

-- KIKKAWA OKITSUNE (Kikkawa Clan Head) -- -The Ouchi will take advantage of the momentum,

and gather a team of provincial constables to attack the Amago!

-We... -There's nothing to worry about.

I don't care if all the constables side with the Ouchi.

-Leave it to me. -But...

But the Ouchi will...

They will form a grand army to crush us in one blow.

I'm not afraid of grand armies.

Akihisa, you formed a grand army but fell right into Motonari's tricks.

That's what battles are.

I'll show you.

Okitsune.

I want you to do work hard for me.

In the summer of 1541 (Tenbun 10),

the Mori clan received a joyful news.

Takamoto, the heir who was taken as a hostage by the Ouchi in Yamaguchi,

was allowed to go home.

I'm not strong. I'm getting out of breath.

But we just switched!

I can pound out fibs, but I can't pound rice.

Good grief.

Once more.

I know.

I've never "beaten my brain."

All I can beat is...

...rice cakes!

Hey.

Why are you pounding rice? It's summertime.

Because Takamoto loves it.

He won't arrive for several more days.

What are you going to do with this?

We're just practicing today.

We want to see if they are strong enough to pound good rice cakes.

Are they?

They're only good at making shirimochi ("falling on their bottom").

Hey.

-- NAITO OKIMORI'S MANSION -- -- (Yamaguchi) --

Naito-dono.

-- MORI OKIMOTO (Motonari's First Son, Mori Clan Heir) -- -I'm going home tomorrow.

Thank you for having taken care of me.

-- TOSHI (Okimori's Daughter) -- -- NAITO OKIMORI --

Takamoto-dono.

You endured an uneasy life as a hostage for four years.

What are you saying?

I don't even know how much I learned from everyone.

I saw so many things for the first time here. Noh drama, tea ceremony, music, and dance.

Let me tell you, Takamoto-dono.

Such things do nothing in this war-torn era.

As soon as you go home, forget all about them.

Just think about fighting.

Got it?

The lord will soon rise up in arms against the Amago.

When we attack the Amago, we will ask the Mori to help us.

Takamoto-dono, you don't have time for tea ceremonies or noh dramas.

Yes, now is the time for us to beat the Amago.

If the lord won't miss a chance to attack more, the Amago won't stand a chance.

That's right.

Now is the time.

We must show them the world is still ruled by the Ouchi, even after Sue-dono's death.

Takamoto-dono.

I want you to help me.

Thank you for your hospitality for so long.

Please stay well.

Takamoto-sama.

Takamoto-sama.

My father has changed so much.

He's been so enthusiastic, since Sue Okifusa-sama died.

Up till then, he hated battles and was undistinguished as a general.

I liked the old father better.

Now, he just seems to be excited that his turn is coming.

It embarrasses me.

You shouldn't be embarrassed.

Your father was patiently waiting for his turn.

Don't you feel proud of him?

I love that tree.

This is my last look at it.

A cicada crying up on that tree.

It stayed underground for a long time, patiently waiting for summer.

That is why it is crying its heart out.

The way your father feels really makes sense.

Let me check. 700 Japanese swords and 150 dirks...

Correct.

We want the shipment landed at Ningpo by the end of July.

Certainly.

You look great in that outfit.

Thank you.

Good-bye.

You don't need to see us off.

This is how people greet overseas.

I read about this in a book.

It feels better than a bow. I can directly feel other people's feelings.

Help your father and work admirably.

Yes.

Well, Kame-dono.

I don't want you to see my father again.

It would make my mother feel sad.

Please.

Don't worry.

I'm staying here ...

... to learn more about overseas.

Unless I'm certain when I can do a good job, I cannot see him.

Don't you want to see him when you're having a hard time?

Isn't that what women do?

That's what hopeless women do.

When I'm not sure about my future, I don't want to use men as my salvation.

Takamoto-dono.

Men and women should fall in love, only when they are doing good work.

Love for your salvation during hardships is for poor people.

When I start doing good work, I'll see Motonari-dono.

I won't hold back for anybody.

I understand.

My mother is always doing good work as his wife and my mother.

Please come and see him anytime.

Excuse me.

-- KORIYAMA CASTLE -- -- (Yoshida, Aki) --

Takamoto!

Oh, Tokujumaru, Shojumaru.

Oh, my, you've grown magnificently.

Your father's waiting.

Come in.

I'm home.

Takamoto-dono.

You must think I've grown so old.

No, you haven't changed at all.

Oh, my, how honest of you!!

While you were in Suo, Young Lord, you must have learned how to flatter.

Takamoto.

We made your favorite rice cakes.

Rice cakes?

I prefer sake.

Sake!?

Sake's not good for you.

Oh, I don't know what to do with you.

Kids are like this, when they're left unsupervised.

Let's go.

Takamoto.

Please let me go with you when you ride horseback.

Takamoto, please promise us.

All right.

Takamoto, we have rice cakes, too.

-- KUNISHI MOTOSUKE -- -- (Mori Vassal) --

You did a fine job, staying with him.

Father.

I just came home.

Thanks for your fine job.

Motosuke.

Thanks for your trouble for such a long time.

I'll keep doing my best.

You may go now. Have a rest.

Father.

No, sire.

Thank you for sending me to Suo.

I don't know how much I learned there.

Sire.

While I was there, I was reminded of your great power.

I am proud of you.

More constables side with the Ouchi now. The Amago power has declined.

That's simply because you won the battle.

Takamoto.

Lord Ouchi must be thinking of attacking the Amago.

Yes.

I am certain he is going to battle in Izumo in the near future.

And?

I think Lord Ouchi is determined to do one more thing.

So?

After the battle at Koriyama Castle,

not only in Aki and Izumo, but also in Iwami and Bingo,

well-known generals started communicating with the Ouchi.

That means...?

Lord Ouchi and Sue-dono are in Itsukushima now.

They will call you any day now, to ask us to help them.

Sire.

You should prepare for battle at any moment.

Takamoto.

Even as a hostage,

you didn't waste your time staying with the Ouchi.

I'm glad...

...you're so reliable.

Takamoto.

Thanks for waiting, Takamoto.

Here.

Here, here.

I cannot eat this much.

Don't be shy.

I'm not being shy.

Takamoto-sama.

Don't tell me you're lovesick.

When I was in love, I could eat only a few rice cakes.

I could eat only fifteen.

I worried about you so much.

You used to eat thirty.

Takamoto, go ahead.

-Eat mine. -Eat mine, too.

All right, here.

Slow down.

Does it taste good?

This is good.

As the fall progressed, one night ...

... Motonari was invited to Manganji Temple by the high priest.

The priest said, "A fine artist is staying with us."

"He wants to show you his work."

Do you know him?

Can you leave us alone for a while?

I wanted to see you before the battle.

Once the battle begins, we might die.

Mori Motonari.

I...

...like you.

I feel the same way.

Your tactics...

Your wisdom...

I followed your examples, Tsunehisa-dono.

Do you remember the moment?

Yes.

I am Mori Shojumaru.

Shojumaru-dono.

After you master shooting strong arrows, I'll see you on the battlefield.

I had fun ...

... living at the same time as you.

The more schemes you use, the more chances of winning.

You'll lose with less scheming.

That is how men are supposed to live in wartime.

-- OUCHI HEADQUARTERS, ITSUKUSHIMA --

After New Year's Day,

-- OUCHI YOSHITAKA -- -- (Most Powerful Daimyo in Western Japan) --

the Lord will go to Izumo with 15,000 men.

Before I go to Kyoto, I want to beat the Amago and seize the San'yodo Highway.

Mori-dono, you're the most powerful constable in Aki.

-- SUE TAKAFUSA -- -- (Ouchi Vassal) --

Please help us, Mori-dono.

Sire.

I think you should wait for a year to attack Izumo.

Sire?

You have more constables on your side,

but you haven't taken full control of Bingo and Iwami.

You can take control of them in one year.

Going deep inside the enemy territory now ...

... is too dangerous.

Battles are like winds.

We're getting good winds now. We cannot miss this chance.

We're going to battle in January and will capture Gassan-Toda Castle by summer.

No.

We're not prepared enough yet.

If you do so, you'll meet the same end as the Amago during the last battle.

If their army is led by Tsunehisa, instead of Akihisa,

what are you going to do?

Tsunehisa?

He is 84.

What can he do?

He is a demon.

Demons don't get old.

I keep having a feeling that ...

... Tsunehisa is going to make some moves.

Father, I think we should send troops...

Shut up!

We haven't established food supply lines yet.

Sire.

Don't send troops yet.

You're so cautious, as usual.

Motonari-dono.

In the last battle,

the Mori survived because we sent troops. Don't you remember?

Please help us.

Motonari's worry turned out to be right.

Tsunehisa's scheme was progressing steadily.

All right, Okitsune?

Pretend you know nothing. Just appeal to Yoshitaka.

Please leave it to me.

I'll tell him, "The Kikkawa wants to cut ties with the Amago."

"We want to switch sides, because the Amago have no chance of winning."

-- KIKKAWA OKITSUNE (Kikkawa Clan Head, Mii's Nephew) -- -This is going to be interesting.

I'll pretend to side with the Ouchi and ...

... I'll report everything to you.

You don't need to.

Work hard and act like an Ouchi ally beyond any doubt.

When you fight against the Amago, you can kill our soldiers.

-How can I...? -Do it!

Unless you go that far, you cannot really trick them.

Devote yourself to tricking them �

... and do what I say.

Like other constables, I gave up on the Amago.

I decided to side with the Ouchi.

During the last battle, you gave us a real bad time as an Amago ally.

But you want to side with the Ouchi like us?

Yes.

I already ...

... visited Lord Ouchi. He allowed me to help him.

I came here to tell you that.

I see.

Mii-dono is my aunt.

I'm more than happy to become your ally.

Please forget about the past and ...

... allow me to work with you.

You don't seem to trust me.

How sad, but I can't blame you.

I will ...

... surely work hard in the next battle.

Well.

Okitsune-dono.

As your fellow constable, I know how you feel.

I, too,

kept switching sides, between the Amago and the Ouchi.

That's right.

Okitsune-dono.

Let's follow Lord Ouchi's words and work together.

Thank you for the kind words.

I, Okitsune,

will work very hard for the Ouchi.

I'm so happy that Okitsune decided to side with the Ouchi.

But...

... you don't really seem to be happy, sire.

It worries me.

Sire?

Did you fall asleep?

I am a Mori.

Please do not worry about my clan ever.

I have no other place to go.

You and I built this castle together. This is the only home for me.

You're not talking to me. That makes me feel sad.

You're right, Mii.

I can't trust Okitsune for some reason.

I don't know why. I just can't.

Well.

I should stop doubting. Otherwise, I cannot fight with him.

Is there anything I can do?

Well.

I might be worrying too much.

In October 1541 (Tenbun 10),

Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiharu gave one character from his first name to Amago Akihisa.

Thus, Akihisa changed his first name to Haruhisa.

-- AMAGO HARUHISA (Amago Clan Head, Tsunehisa's Grandson) -- -Kikkawa Okitsune.

He's pretending he sides with the Ouchi.

But he hasn't sent us any report!

What's going on?

Actually,

the Great Lord said we don't need to know what's going on in the Ouchi.

I already gave detailed instructions to Okitsune.

His first job is to prolong the battle throughout next winter.

The Ouchi are probably trying to defeat us by this coming summer.

But we'll prolong the battle until next winter, by all means.

Then, we will get great help.

Great help?

Cold weather.

That's it.

Cold weather in Izumo immobilizes soldiers from Suo.

When the battle falls into a stalemate,

Okitsune will lead the van in attacking us.

Haruhisa.

Kunihisa.

When he attacks us, you must let him win on purpose.

Okitsune is determined to kill some Amago soldiers.

"Letting him win" means, you lose that much.

Then, probably, Motonari will begin to trust Okitsune for the first time.

After the Ouchi run out of provisions,

Okitsune will lead the van in attacking this castle.

Great Lord.

Are you...?

You're guessing right.

In front of the entire Ouchi army,

Okitsune and his entire army will run into this castle.

Then, the Ouchi army will lose much of its strength.

When panic starts, we'll attack them at once.

Don't let a single enemy soldier out of Izumo.

He is a demon.

The more schemes you use, the more chances of winning.

You'll lose with less scheming.

-Haruhisa -Yes.

I'll give you my sword.

Huh?

That...

You mean, that sword?

That sword.

-Somebody! -That's all right.

I'll hand it to you in person.

You've caused so much trouble already. If we lose again,

I'll cut your head off with the sword.

Yes, sir.

I won't forget a demon's teachings.

You cannot beat the Great Lord.

If he were 30 years younger, he would have seized power.

Oh, he's determined to seize power now.

Right. Demons don't age.

With this sword,

I've fully lived a demon's life.

The Great Lord is...!

Send out news of his death, to every clan, including the Ouchi.

What are you saying?

-Once they find out... -Right.

You must keep a tight lid on a leader's death. That's the way it is.

The Great Lord told me a while ago.

He said, "When I die, send the news out in every direction."

"Then, the other clans will want to take advantage of it to attack us."

The Ouchi would be the ones.

We already set things up to defeat the Ouchi.

If they attack us, it'll be a good chance for us.

That's right.

I'll send the news out now.

You use everything for your plots.

Even your own death.

In November 1541 (Tenbun 11),

Amago Tsunehisa's 84-year-long life came to an end.

As he predicted, however,

his death began the Ouchi-Amago showdown that shook all the western provinces.

I'll attack the Amago.

-You're right! -Tsunehisa's gone.

You already won!

Seize power!

Seize power!

Seize power!

Sire.

Excuse me.

Lord Ouchi is requesting us to go to battle.

Shiji.

Don't you think something is fishy?

Yes, I do.

Tsunehisa's death was reported too fast.

I don't understand.

Sire.

Something will happen.

End of Episode 25