Original subtitles

The news of Amago Tsunehisa's death was promptly sent out to all the western provinces...

�as Tsunehisa's had wished.

But it was Tsunehisa's trap to bait Ouchi Yoshitaka over to Izumo.

I'll attack the Amago!

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

You've already won!

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

Tsunehisa sent his ally, Kikkawa Okitsune, to the Ouchi as his spy.

He told Okitsune to betray the Ouchi during the battle, to cause a sense of panic.

Sire.

Don't send troops yet.

You're so cautious, as usual.

Please help us.

Motonari, who was joining the Ouchi army to attack the Amago,

would be confronted by the huge shadow of Amago Tsunehisa.

MORI MOTONARI

Episode 26: The Ghost is Our Enemy

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

Watanabe Suguru: Enoki Takaaki Watanabe Kayou: Katsumura Masanobu

Sue Takafusa: Jinnai Takanori

Kikkawa Okitsune: Kyomoto Masaki

Naito Okimori: Onodera Akira

Toshi: Otsuka Nene

Amago Kunihisa: Shimizu Koji

Ouchi Yoshitaka: Kazama Toru

Amago Haruhisa: Takashima Masanobu

Shishido Takaie: Kase Taishu Hisa: Matsukane Yoneko

Kamei Hidetsuna: Kawahara Sabu Kosanta: Nasa Kenji

Sadako: Sato Eri Osai: Hatsuse Kaoru

Lady Sugi: Matsuzaka Keiko

Amago Tsunehisa: Ogata Ken

Produced by: Kida Yukinori

English Subtitles: Koala Fansubs

Directed by: Imai Yoichi

In winter, 1541 (Tenbun 10),

Ouchi Yoshitaka decided to start a campaign to attack the Amago in Izumo.

Motonari, who was called for reinforcements,

had to go to the Amago base, Gassan-Toda Castle.

There is no doubt about Amago Tsunehisa's death.

You must hide a leader's death. That's the way it is.

I wonder ...

... why the news reached our ears so fast.

Is there a catch?

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

You'll lose with less scheming.

Keep an eye on Kikkawa Okitsune.

-All right? -Yes.

This way.

I asked Takaie-dono to come over.

Father.

-- SHISHIDO TAKAIE (Shishido Clan Head) -- - Thank you for letting me in your armory.

It is the greatest pleasure for me.

You're like my son, Takaie-dono.

I'm counting on you.

Sire.

The Amago lost Tsunehisa. Now is the time for us to beat them.

Lord Ouchi's era is coming finally, isn't it?

The Ouchi have momentum now.

Right. They have a grand army of 15,000 men.

Who will the skilled strategist, Sue Takafusa-dono, move the grand army against?

Just the thought of it makes my heart beat faster.

Just the word of battle makes my heart collapse.

Don't worry.

This battle will be settled before we shed our blood.

Really, Akagawa-dono?

Really?

That's right.

The Amago failed to take Koriyama Castle.

Without Tsunehisa, they are barely breathing now.

-- WATANABE KAYOU (The Late Suguru's Son) -- - Many constables gave up on them,

and switched sides to the Ouchi.

Sire.

Tell Kodama with poor physique that our victory is obvious.

Is there something bothering you?

True...

True, the Ouchi have many constables as their allies.

But...

Going to the enemy territory without enough preparations...

That worries me.

Well, Tsunehisa knows how to use dreadful plots.

But Haruhisa can't to do anything with our 15,000-man army.

To preserve your honor, Father,

I will go to my first battle with dignity.

Right. Go wild then.

You men, too.

Kayou.

I'm counting on your ability.

Sire,

I will try hard to do my job.

Sire.

Kikkawa Okitsune-dono is here.

Auntie.

-- KIKKAWA OKITSUNE (Kikkawa Clan Head) -- - The Kikkawa will make concerted efforts...

...to be of one mind with Motonari-dono.

We'll fight for Lord Ouchi with him.

This campaign against the Amago will be a tough battle.

The deeper you go into the enemy territory,

the more chances there are of being trapped unexpectedly.

That's right.

Okitsune-dono is well-versed in the Amago matters.

I hope he'll work very hard for us.

Your Ladyship, Shiji-dono.

You should stop beating around the bush.

Okitsune-dono.

You're not going to betray the Ouchi, are you?

You aren't secretly in communication with the Amago, are you?

I think all I can do is to do my job on the battlefield.

Please watch what I do.

I was just questioned by them to prove my loyalty.

Okitsune-dono.

What brought you here today?

I came here to discuss the course of our campaign.

Please wait.

I just went to Yamaguchi to visit Lord Ouchi.

I bought these combs there.

I'd be happy if you use them.

Thanks for your consideration.

Sire.

Please take a look at this.

As you can see,

all the clans here gave up on the Amago and switched sides to the Ouchi.

Our victory is obvious.

But Lord Ouchi hasn't been in many battles. He might tire.

So I made a plan for him.

If he stays at those castles, including my Ogurayama Castle,

we can entertain him and make him relaxed.

I'm making arrangements for that.

I appreciate the thought.

But, if he is entertained this much,

I wonder when he can arrive at Izumo.

But...

...all the new allies in Iwami, Izumo, Bingo, want to show their loyalty.

I see.

Kikkawa-dono.

You did so much in such a short period of time.

I'm not finished yet.

I haven't done enough to show my loyalty.

I, Kikkawa Okitsune,

will protect Lord Ouchi with my own life, until we have our victory.

What are those marks?

They are shrines.

To receive the gods' blessings,

Lord Ouchi can visit those shrines on his way to Izumo. I made arrangements.

Well.

Your loyalty is painfully obvious, Okitsune-dono.

I must leave now, to prepare for the battle.

Excuse me.

Sire.

How encouraging to have him.

Too many side tracks.

The longer you side-track, the more your soldiers and horses get tired, and the more food you use.

The longer we take to get to Izumo, the more the Amago will be prepared to counterattack.

Are you saying Kikkawa-dono is in communication with the Amago?

That's possible.

I trust Kikkawa-dono.

Takamoto.

It's good to trust people.

But for men,

the more schemes used, the more chances of winning. You'll lose with less scheming.

Scheming? I don't want to live such a dirty life.

I'll try to win without scheming.

I want to trust Okitsune,

but since he was small, he was good at seeing which way the wind blew.

He's been just playing games.

Well...

It's nice of him to think about someone like me.

That means he's that desperate.

That's why women without men aren't good.

Listen.

When men are in trouble, they give things.

Kikkawa-dono knows how tough Mori women are.

He thinks we might tell the lord not to trust him.

He wants to tame us with things.

A single comb is not good enough to tame someone.

Men always give cheap stuff when they're in trouble.

Hey.

Don't you really know anything?

You must know what he's up to.

I don't know anything this time. I swear!

If I had been in communication with Okitsune,

he would have tried to tame us with something more practical.

Look how soft this comb is.

It doesn't work on hair at all!

-- OUCHI YOSHITAKA'S MANSION (Yamaguchi) -- - Okitsune's trap has started working.

Are you...?

Are you visiting all the shrines, sire?

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

I want to offer a sword and horse especially to Itsukushima Shrine.

Sire.

Why don't you visit only Itsukushima?

If you are side-tracked to so many places, you don't know when you'll reach Gassan-Toda Castle.

This is a battle!

Don't get mad.

I know it.

But Izumo is a land of gods.

Without courtesy, you can't win a battle.

I don't believe in gods or buddhas.

-- SUE TAKAFUSA (Ouchi Key Vassal) -- - What I can believe is ...

... my own skills.

Lady Sadako is here, sire.

--SADAKO -- -- (Ouchi Yoshitaka's Wife)--

Did you want to see me, sire?

Sadako, we're going to Izumo early next year.

You're having a battle against the Amago, are you?

The lord is going there for fun!

Sire, you are not one for fighting.

I'm not one for living in Yamaguchi, either.

While everyone is gone, I want to go to Kyoto.

Why don't you finish the battle fast and go to Kyoto with me?

I promise.

I'm taking you to Kyoto on vacation.

So hold the fort for a while.

The battle will be over soon.

It's a promise.

Yes.

I don't lie to my precious wife.

Your Ladyship.

-- NAITO OKIMORI (Ouchi Key Vassal) -- - Holding the fort during battle is...

...your job.

Osai.

-Bring me a brush. -Yes.

--OSAI -- -- (Sadako's Maid) --

I'll miss you while you're gone, sire.

Same for me.

But the Amago are now no match for us.

You can see me soon.

Wait for me.

When you come home, you're going to Kyoto with Her Ladyship.

I don't want to wait for such a man.

Are you pouting? You're so cute.

Sadako is too proud. She's no fun as a woman. I keep saying that.

I'm being loved by you behind Her Ladyship's back.

That's the most fun for me.

Bad girl.

Good girl.

This girl called Osai gets full attention from Yoshitaka.

Later, she would bear an Ouchi heir.

-- GASSAN-TODA CASTLE (Izumo) -- -I see.

If he visits all these places, his soldiers will tire before his arrival at Izumo.

And he will run out of provisions.

Nice going, Kikkawa Okitsune.

The Great Lord gave all these instructions to Kikkawa-dono, before he died.

Besides, Okitsune made arrangements to entertain Yoshitaka in all these places.

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

So we can prepare enough to hole up.

Hidetsuna.

Everything has been set to hole up, sire.

Is that ...

... another instruction from The Great Lord?

In front of the entire Ouchi army,

Okitsune and all his forces will run into this castle.

Then, the Ouchi army loses much strength.

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

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

All I can do is to laugh.

Even after death, The Great Lord is manipulating everybody.

The Great Lord made Kikkawa Okitsune switch sides.

And The Great Lord even arranged the rest.

Great Lord, Great Lord.

-- AMAGO KUNIHISA (Shingu Party Head) -- -The Great Lord arranged everything.

But the one who actually wins the battle will be Amago Haruhisa.

It's you, sire.

How shameful.

The Great Lord is here, he's there, he's everywhere!

He is taking command.

- He is watching out for you. - No, he keeps an eye on me.

I am a puppet, aren't I?

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

"Takamoto-sama, your favorite tree is deadwood now."

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

"But it is vigorously nurturing new buds inside."

"I am hoping that all the years you bore in Yamaguchi will sprout during your first battle."

In January 1542 (Tenbun 11),

Motonari's departure for Izumo was the next day.

Hurry!

Takamoto.

You're finally going to battle tomorrow.

Before you see Father, I have one thing to tell you.

Don't be in a hurry to distinguish yourself.

Try to do the right things for you.

All right?

Yes.

Takamoto.

Even during a battle, try to avoid killing others.

Think how you can win without shedding blood.

All right?

Yes...

Your hands were made by your parents.

We made those hands so that you can catch happiness.

Your enemy has parents, who must be wishing the same.

Hands are not for killing people.

They are made to catch happiness and hold other people's hands.

Yes.

Takamoto.

Finally, huh?

It's going to be a long journey, but I'll be with you. Don't worry.

Yes.

Bring his helmet.

Yes?

Bring it over.

You may leave.

Look Takamoto.

The Great Lady tied these strings on the lord's helmet, when he was going to his first battle.

I'll tie these on your helmet.

Um...

Good.

I'll help you, too.

Um, I can do it...

Don't be polite.

I'm not being polite...

What's this?

Let see.

"Takamoto-sama, your favorite tree is..."

"I am hoping that it will sprout during your first battle..."

"Takamoto-sama"

"From Toshi"

Hey, Takamoto.

Oh, this is...

This works better than my strings.

-- WATANABE KAYOU'S MANSION -- - If your father were alive,

he would have given you some instructions before battle.

I cannot do anything for you.

I feel like being with my mother.

You're making me feel relaxed.

Your mother?

What an ugly mother.

I feel sorry for your father.

I'm going to battle with my father.

Oh, your father's chain armor!

Father!

Go, Kayou!

Kayou-dono.

You don't hate the lord who killed your father, do you?

Let me say this.

It wasn't the lord's desire that killed your father.

Look at the beautiful stars.

I wonder which star is your father.

Watanabe-dono.

He called me "mother."

A girl, who has never been in love ...

... is a mother, all of a sudden.

Ouchi Yoshitaka left Yamaguchi with a 15,000-man army.

His first stop was Itsukushima, where he offered a sword and a horse to the shrine.

Motonari and Takamoto greeted Yoshitaka in Itsukushima.

Father.

What are you worrying about all the time?

Is it about Okitsune-dono?

Well, that, too.

But I see too many strange events.

I can't help feeling ...

... that this battle has been orchestrated by the enemy.

The Amago have disadvantages at every angle.

What can they orchestrate?

Aren't you learning the secret Shinto teachings with the lord today?

I left the room in the middle.

How long does he want to do this?

If this goes on, you don't know when you'll get to Izumo.

I keep telling him to attack the Amago before winter sets in.

But he doesn't listen to me.

Offerings and prayers for the gods and buddhas.

You're absolutely right, Sue-dono.

Harsh winter in Izumo ...

... hammers the Ouchi men like us, who are used to be in the warm climate of Yamaguchi.

It's good that the Ouchi have a grand army now.

But we haven't made a single strategy.

Furthermore, our soldiers' morale is dropping.

Sue-dono.

My father cannot help feeling that this battle has been orchestrated by the Amago.

What can Haruhisa do?

Or what?

Is Tsunehisa's ghost orchestrating this? Is that what you're saying?

Anyway,

we should enter Izumo as soon as possible. Everything will be fine then.

The Ouchi were joined by not only Aki constables like the Mori, Kikkawa, and Kobayakawa,

but also other constables from Bingo and Iwami.

The Ouchi army grew to 20,000-strong,

and flowed towards Izumo.

In June, they attacked the first barrier into Izumo: Setoyama Castle.

-- June 1542 (Tenbun 11) --

Due to its great size, however, the Ouchi army couldn't move well.

They failed capture Setoyama Castle, guarded by only several hundred.

-- OUCHI YOSHITAKA'S HEADQUARTERS --

We just started the battle. This doesn't bode well.

You said it's because of our great size.

But that can't be an excuse.

It's your job to make use of a grand army, isn't it?

We'll make another plan and launch another attack on Setoyama Castle.

But the castle is guarded tightly on steep mountains.

It's still hard to attack them.

I don't want to hear such a thing.

-Capture the castle now! -Sire.

The best way is to withdraw from here for now.

Withdraw?

I agree with Naito-dono.

Sue-dono and Kikkawa-dono are here.

The Kikkawa army killed the lord of Setoyama Castle, Akana Mituskiyo.

Really?

That's true.

In exchange for saving Mitsukiyo's wife and children, he is handing the castle over to us.

Unbelievable.

I told you.

We're blessed by the gods of Itsukushima and other shrines.

Takafusa, Okitsune.

Offer more swords as a token of appreciation.

Sire, please examine it now.

Sire, your luck in battle is incomparable.

We did it.

Father.

Even the gods are supporting the Ouchi.

It shows how good the Kikkawa are.

You trust Okitsune-dono now, don't you?

Father.

With this momentum, we can capture Gassan-Toda Castle...

No.

I don't think so.

Luckily, we got that head with the Kikkawa army's strength.

But it's too good to be true.

I cannot help feeling ...

... that this battle is orchestrated by the enemy.

You keep saying that.

Father.

You're too suspicious.

Your Ladyship.

Kosanta.

What's the...?

Any news from the lord?

Yes.

Kikkawa Okitsune-dono took the head of Akana Mitsukiyo, lord of Setoyama Castle.

Sorry.

Because I'm so happy...

So the lord must trust Okitsune now.

Ah, you already heard that?

It makes me happy every time I hear it.

Okitsune-dono must have fought at the risk of his own life.

Until today,

it's been hard for me to be caught between the Mori and the Kikkawa.

The Mori and the Kikkawa are united now.

I have finally achieved happiness as a woman.

What kind of happiness as a woman?

What a pitiful woman she is.

As Motonari feared, the course of the war didn't change after that.

A long, hard winter began.

The Ouchi army were exhausted by the cold.

The next year was 1543 (Tenbun 12).

In March, Sue Takafusa flatly refused Motonari's objection,

and moved the headquarters to Mt. Kyoragi, the mountain in front of Gassan-Toda Castle.

-- MORI CAMP (Mt. Kyoragi) -- - The entire army was ready for an all-out attack.

You may be right, Father.

Moving the headquarters over here might not do well.

-- GASSAN-TODA CASTLE -- - We've come too deep into the enemy territory.

Gassan-Toda Castle.

I feel like being sucked into it, no matter how hard we attack.

I'm worried.

Soon, the Ouchi launched an all-out attack.

But Gassan-Toda was an impregnable castle.

The Ouchi were fiercely counterattacked. They were in danger.

No matter how many times they attacked, they couldn't conquer it.

They ran out of provisions.

And most dreadfully, the Ouchi army was losing its spirit.

-- OUCHI YOSHITAKA'S HEADQUARTERS -- - Takafusa.

You told us to move the headquarters here.

You told us to launch an all-out attack.

Why can't we capture the castle, no matter how many times we attack?

Sire.

It's not only his fault.

Why don't you retreat for now and make a fresh start?

I agree. We should have our men rest and make another plan.

No.

This is a chance for us.

It's been 15 months since we left Yamaguchi.

We ran out of provisions, but the same goes for the Amago who are holing up.

Now is the time for a showdown, sire.

Wait.

How are you going to attack at this point?

If I may humbly speak up,

I would like to take the vanguard.

Oh? You have any plan?

Yes.

There are three roads going to the castle.

We'll attack those three roads at the same time.

What!

Attacking them at the same time?

We already tried it many times.

What we did was ...

... to put the main force in the two front roads (Sugatani and Okomori). But it didn't work.

This time,

we attack the front roads ...

... only with Mizawa-dono and Mitoya-dono's troops.

After we draw enough attention from the Amago,

we make an all-out attack on the less-guarded back road (Shiotani Road).

This back road is steep and shallow.

They'll never think we'd attack with our entire army.

Please allow me to take the vanguard.

I'm familiar with this steep back road.

Motonari-dono.

Would you follow us as the second troops?

Certainly.

When the Kikkawa army breaks the back gates,

please attack the castle with the entire army.

Very well.

Okitsune.

Do a great job.

Yes, sir.

On our honor as the Demon Kikkawa, we'll do our best.

On April 12,

the Ouchi army made a last, all-out attack.

The Ouchi are heading towards Sugatani and Okomori Roads.

I see.

As prearranged, Kikkawa-dono will take the vanguard,

attacking into Shiotani Road.

Open all the three gates now.

Let all of them, including the Mizawa, Mitoya and Kikkawa, inside the castle.

The Kikkawa army exposed themselves in front of the enemy.

With no sign of being daunted, they proceeded to Gassan-Toda Castle.

-- OUCHI HEADQUARTERS (Mt. Kyoragi) -- - Look how brave the Demon Kikkawa are.

They are thoroughly guarded.

The Amago aren't charging.

They're scared.

Sire.

Why the Amago aren't charging?

They want us to get as close as possible,

and then, they'll smash us.

Takamoto.

How the skilled fighter, Demon Kikkawa, will fight...

Take a close look at them.

Come in.

Hurry, come in.

We're tricked...!

Sire!

They're escaping!

Sire.

Okitsune ran into the castle!

Mitoya, Mizawa! They all switched sides?

Is this ...

... what Tsunehisa-dono was talking about?

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.

Our enemy is ...

... Tsunehisa!

Sire!

The Amago's ambush is flooding toward our camp!

Go!

Okitsune did what?

Is that true?

Okitsune betrayed...?

The Mori army was engulfed by the Amago troops.

The lord and Takamoto-dono are still missing.

Sire...

Takamoto...

-Mii-sama? -Your Ladyship!

Motonari.

Haruhisa.

Motonari-dono!

Okitsune-dono.

Sire.

Sire.

Sire!!

End of Episode 26