Original subtitles

In May 1543 (Tenbun 12),

the Ouchi campaign to Izumo failed.

Motonari and many other constables, while suffering heavy losses,

fled back to their own fiefs.

This drastically changed the situation in the Chugoku region.

The Amago, the winners, began advancing southward again.

As a result, many constables switched to the Amago's side again.

The weakened influence of the Ouchi resulted in major changes in power by the Inland Sea.

For example, the Kobayakawa of Nuta, who had lost their clan head during the last battle,

had a crisis when they were attacked by the Yamana, on the Amago side.

Motonari-sama.

I'm glad to see you again.

Father.

Welcome home, sire.

Motonari, who barely returned alive,

needed a new diplomatic strategy that would make his clan independent from the great powers.

MORI MOTONARI

Episode 28: I Want To See the Ocean

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

Inoue Motokane: Kataoka Tsurutaro

Akagawa Motoyasu: Nagashima Toshiyuki

Kodama Naritada: Masuoka Toru

Katsura Motozumi: Tsurumi Shingo

Shiji Hiroyoshi: Nakamura Baijaku

Mori Motoharu: Matsushige Yutaka Hisa: Matsukane Yoneko

Sue Takafusa: Jinnai Takanori

Naito Okimori: Onodera Akira

Ouchi Yoshitaka: Kazama Toru

Noda Jiro: Matoba Koji

Kame: Hazuki Riona

Kunishi Motosuke: Sakamoto Akira Awaya Motochika: Shionoya Masayuki

Sagara Taketou: Shirai Akira Murakami Torayoshi: Fujiwara Yoshiaki

Sadako: Sato Eri Osai: Hatsuse Kaoru

Tokujumaru: Tomita Shigeo

Hotate Naomasa: Harada Yoshio

Lady Sugi: Matsuzaka Keiko

Produced by: Kida Yukinori

English subtitles: Koala Fansubs

Directed by: Kobayashi Takeshi

One year has passed since the fiasco of the Ouchi Izumo campaign.

-- EARLY SUMMER, 1544 (Tenbun 13) --

Motonari barely escaped death thanks to Watanabe Kayou.

But Mii showed no sign of recovering from illness.

You look lovely.

Really?

Here.

How gorgeous.

Great Lady.

Hey, Mii.

Don't you have to lie down?

Lying down makes me feel sicker and weak-hearted.

So I got up.

During hard or distressing times,

all women need to is to put on make-up.

Then,

put on a new kimono.

This cures most illnesses.

Look how pretty I am.

You're all better now.

Sire?

You don't look good.

I had an inexpensive one made. Don't be weak-hearted.

No.

That's not it.

Sire?

I'm back, sire.

I went to the place where Watanabe Kayou-dono died.

I offered flowers there.

Thanks a lot.

What's that?

His father's armor.

He said, "With this on, I'm going to go to battle with my father."

He showed it to me.

He must be with his father now.

His father must be praising him, saying, "Well done."

I guess so.

It's the best for parents and children to stay together.

Mii.

I look weak-hearted because ...

... I have something to tell you.

Well, the Kobayakawa of Takehara requested something from me.

They're wondering if they can have one of our younger sons.

Do they want to adopt our son?

The Kobayakawa...?

You mean, the Kobayakawa clan who has influence in the sea?

That's right.

The head family is the Kobayakawa of Nuta.

The branch family is the Kobayakawa of Takehara.

Both lost their clan heads.

The current head of the head family is Matatsurumaru-dono, who is blind.

Motoharu reached manhood, but he's only 15.

Tokujumaru is 12.

I don't want to let either of them go.

Sire, why don't you refuse flatly?

Just say, "Unlike other lords, I have no concubine."

"I have no child with another women. So my three sons are precious."

Sire.

The Kobayakawa have no powerful clan head. The Amago won't leave them alone.

They'll surely try to attack the Kobayakawa.

If such a clan adopts our young son,

you don't know what'll happen to him.

The Kobayakawa are like a big and falling tree.

A young adopted son is a single twig.

He can't support them!

- You're right. - Sire.

- I think you should let him be adopted. - What!?

Even the lord just said, "It's best for parents and children to stay together."

The Kobayakawa are the Murakami Navy's ally.

Sire.

Getting a navy is a big step, isn't it?

That's it.

I've been just reading the situation between the Ouchi and the Amago, to join their battles as a helper.

As a result, I lost many precious people.

I've had enough of it.

That's why it's important to become the Kobayakawa's in-laws ...

... by sending one of our sons.

However...

when you think about the life of the young twig,

I don't want to adopt him away.

- Mii-sama? - Mii.

I don't want to adopt him away.

Even if he won't die,

I don't want to be separated from my family.

Hey.

Mii.

Let's not do it.

All right?

Children move out eventually.

We can live with them for a short period of time.

So we should stay with them now.

-- OUCHI YOSHITAKA'S MANSION (Yamaguchi) --

Ouchi Yoshitaka, who was defeated by the Amago in Izumo,

lost his spirit for fighting. Instead, he got deeper and deeper into Kyoto culture.

How elegant they are.

They are well-painted.

Look at this hollyhock festival.

SADAKO (Yoshitaka's Wife) - I feel as if I am in Kyoto now.

Look at these, Takafusa.

Paintings of annual events in Kyoto.

Herons in February.

Bird-matching in April.

Sire.

The Amago are now cutting into our allies in Bingo!

Gion in July. Brings up memories!

Sire.

Let's go to Kyoto to relax.

-- SUE TAKAFUSA (Ouchi Key Vassal) -- Sire.

This is no time for Kyoto.

We suffered such a stinging defeat...

Enough.

I don't want to hear your bloody talks, Takafusa.

If we don't fight,

we'll be smashed for real.

Sue-dono.

-- SAGARA TAKETOU (Yoshitaka's Aide) -- The lord doesn't want bloodshed.

Instead, he wants to have an elegant culture like Kyoto here in Yamaguchi.

We just finished our campaign. Refrain from talking about battles.

Sagara-dono.

If the Ouchi are crushed, there's no place for Kyoto-like culture or elegance.

The lord is thinking about various things.

You don't trust him?

Sire.

Foreigners brought something to Tanegashima Island from abroad.

It's called a gun.

A gun?

What's that?

It's a new weapon that kills the enemy from far away, outside the range of arrows.

Probably, the Amago will start using it sometime soon.

How can you talk about elegance at such times?

That's enough!

I told you that I hate battle, didn't I?

- Osai. - Yes.

The lord preferred such things over battles, from the beginning.

He's been fighting fine so far, but he was only pretending.

I...

I must protect the Ouchi.

If the lord remains like that, I must protect the clan.

Father.

I'm going riding with my brother.

Motoharu already left.

He's so impatient. I don't know what to do about it.

Takamoto-dono.

We have something to tell you.

-- TOKUJUMARU -- -- TAKAMOTO -- -- (Motonari's Third Son) -- -- (Motonari's Heir) --

Prepare a horse for me. I'll be right there.

Fujino-dono said you are declining to adopt your son away.

Right.

Sire. You should adopt your son away to the Kobayakawa.

Well...

They're too unstable as a clan to adopt a young son away.

It's unstable everywhere in the world today.

Aki constables formed the covenant and promised to keep mutual safety.

But, once the circumstance changes, they might betray each other.

Even the covenant has such risks.

Well, if one of my sons is adopted into the Kobayakawa,

someone in the clan will try to kill him.

This is a rare opportunity for anybody to kill the young clan head and take the clan's reins.

Sire.

Why are you counting only unrealized misfortunes?

You're predicting possible misfortunes that might or might not happen.

And you're holding back because of that. How foolish.

Being foolish is fine.

Because it takes my son's life.

Father.

I agree with him. If it's dangerous anyway,

you should adopt one of us away to strengthen the Mori's influence.

If you're sending someone to the Kobayakawa,

you should send Tokujumaru, not Motonaru.

That's what I was thinking, too.

Tokujumaru-sama is friendly and bright.

He'll surely get along with the open-minded sea warriors.

And he is smart.

When we go riding, Motonaru aggressively challenges me head-on.

His straightforward spirit scares me.

But Tokujumaru is...

He sneaks away to take a short cut and gets there before you?

And he would say, "Why are you so late?"

Is that why he and Motonaru have quarrels all the time?

Sire.

To control seaside areas where cunning merchants visit,

Tokujumaru-sama is most qualified.

I'll persuade Mother.

Father.

Now is the time for the Mori to ensure a path to the ocean.

To be honest,

I don't want to give any of my three sons to somebody else.

Especially, Mii loves our baby, Tokujumaru, so much.

She might get very ill.

-- ITSUKUSHIMA --

This is what they call a "gun!"

Sue Takafusa and Naito Okimori, who are determined to protect the Ouchi,

were visiting Hotate Naomasa at Itsukushima.

-- HOTATE NAOMASA (Continental Trade Merchant) --

They wanted to see guns, the new weapon brought by foreigners.

How's that?

Unload.

I came here to ...

... ask you to refer me to the Kobayakawa clan.

Why?

I want to open a path to trade with overseas through the Kobayakawa clan.

If we refer you to the Kobayakawa,

what are we getting from you in return?

I'll send you detailed reports on what's going on in the Mori clan.

That's not enough.

You must promise to give sure gains to the Murakami Navy.

How about iron?

Iron?

I manage iron produced at the Mori's mountains.

I can sell you the iron at net price.

That's a real bargain for us.

But is that all right with you, Inoue-dono?

Once the path is open, I'll get treasure from the ocean.

This is a win-win game.

Father.

Don't trust this guy.

Did you forget my face?

Mori Motonari and you scrapped my family. I'm Noda Jiro.

Jiro...?

You're Jiro?

I never forget what you did!

Leave!

Wait.

I'm not doing this for the sake of the Mori.

If I do nothing, I have to end my life working under Motonari.

No fully grown man wants to end his life under somebody else.

I'd rather focus on overseas trading and earn money.

At least, I want to stand on an equal basis with Motonari.

Inoue.

That's the sound of a gun.

A gun?

A new weapon from abroad.

A foreign trade merchant, Hotate Naomasa-dono, is showing it to Sue Takafusa-dono.

Sue-dono is here?

Inoue-dono.

I'll introduce you to Hotate-dono.

Jiro-dono.

Thank you.

Hotate-dono.

Sea merchants are something.

You get everything, even this foreign red wine. It's not even available in Kyoto.

Delivering foreign goods promptly is my job.

It's a taste of the overseas.

Sea transportation is not everything in the future.

Probably, men will fly and go wherever they want.

- Fly? - Yeah.

No way.

That's possible.

Eventually, you might have to deal with battles in the air.

We cannot stay in this small Japan.

After all, this is Japan.

- This is? - That's right.

Is this Japan?

It's a small island country.

In future,

Korea, Ming China, India and Siam.

You must have a broader perspective.

People are fighting with guns abroad.

Hotate-dono.

I, Inoue Motokane,

am getting excited.

By the way --

can you introduce me to Motonari-dono?

He is a well-known, wise general. I really want to see him.

Oh, well.

Inoue-dono doesn't want Motonari-dono to see Hotate-dono.

No.

He just said, "You need a broader perspective."

As long as you're narrow-minded and want to keep everything,

Hotate-dono will give up on you.

Don't worry.

Inoue-dono seems to be more talented in trading than Motonari-dono does.

You think so?

Kame-dono.

Please leave us alone.

I don't like women butting into men's business.

I hate women who want to do everything with men.

A Navy with a woman acting big ...

... makes me a little nervous, you know?

Jiro-dono!

You punched me? You'll be beheaded!!

Did you know that?

You are not able to use guns, Sue-dono.

You should go home.

A Navy makes use of anyone capable, both men and women.

That's a new way of thinking.

A gun is a new weapon.

An old-fashioned guy cannot handle it.

You won, Jiro.

Jiro-dono.

I'm proud of my old-fashioned way of thinking.

I have no intention of leaving.

But...

... I apologize for having spoken against your navy.

How accepting of you.

Jiro-dono.

Old-fashioned men are accepting.

I'm not going to chop your head off.

Instead, I want you to come with me to Yamaguchi.

I don't want to use women.

But I need to use guns.

To deepen the friendship between the Ouchi and your navy,

I want you to come with me.

Jiro.

You want to go to Yamaguchi, don't you?

You may go.

If I go, the navy loses it's leader.

Don't worry. Our young folks are becoming independent.

The Murakami Navy is precious to me.

I realized I should always stay with someone precious.

People die fast.

So, if you stay away from someone precious, you'll regret it.

"There are more mountains beyond the mountains."

"There are more skies beyond the sky."

It means, "You should go beyond and learn more."

Jiro.

Let your caliber grow more in Yamaguchi and come home.

Before long,

Jiro left for Yamaguchi with Sue Takafusa.

Hisa.

Who is that?

He's my type.

Sugi-sama.

I'll change and put on make-up.

A pretty face is important to women.

- Come! - Sugi-sama.

You know,

I'm a country bumpkin.

I'm not interested in Kyoto.

Becoming my friend doesn't brought much profit to you, Hotate-dono.

I have no choice then.

No profit means no good for merchants.

I'm sorry.

Then, I should go to Inoue-dono's mansion now.

Before it gets too dark, could you order my men to bring the shipments to your mansion?

Certainly.

I'll set everything up for you and wait for you to come over.

Motonari-dono.

Takamoto-dono.

Please excuse me.

Motonari-dono.

Why aren't you interested in Kyoto?

In this turbulent time,

all the daimyo lords are trying to get authority from Kyoto.

I'm not going to seize power.

So I'm not interested in the place.

You're not going to seize power?

No, I'm not.

If you're not, why are you making your clan stronger?

To protect my family.

Family?

That's right.

For the sake of my family and my vassals who are like my family.

Instead of Kyoto, I care more about protecting my peaceful life with these people.

You surprise me.

I've never seen a general who says things like that.

Don't be rude!

Oh, sorry.

Because you are so progressive, sire,

I'm surprised.

Am I progressive?

Yes.

At least, it is progressive not to aim for Kyoto.

Actually, I'm not interested in Kyoto, either.

I trade overseas. Kyoto is too old-fashioned to me.

In the future, we'll see an unlimited inflow of goods from overseas.

Weapons you've never seen.

Wine you've never tasted.

Ideas you've never heard of.

Sire.

Would you like to seek progressive things with me?

Well...

I'm not interested in progressive things.

Why don't you come and visit me at Itsukushima?

I have various kinds of imported goods.

See progressive things and learn about progressive ideas.

Since you're not obsessed with Kyoto, sire,

you'll surely obtain something from them.

Father, let's go and see him there.

I want to see goods from foreign countries.

When?

Progressive men are pushy.

You beat me!

Sire.

I brought you some flowers from the garden.

Oh, you have a guest?

I apologize for my rudeness.

This is Hotate-dono, a sea merchant.

Oh, Hotate?

What a sea-like name.

My name is Sugi.

I'm supposed to be the lord's mother.

But I'm too young for his mother, aren't I?

Hotate-dono.

We're going to your mansion in Itsukushima sometime soon.

Oh, I'd like to go with you.

I really want to see the ocean.

No, you can't.

Great Lady, this is not a vacation.

Sugi-dono, I'll show you around.

The ocean is like my hands.

How feisty you are.

Oh, thank you very much.

Smells so good.

So this is a gun.

Here.

All right?

What a strange shape.

Motonari-dono.

If you want to reach the ocean, you'd better talk with the Murakami clan.

I have brought Murakami-dono.

Ah, Kame-dono.

Kame...

It's been a long time.

Why did you leave me all of a sudden?

Because you tried to make me your concubine.

I...

I almost died many times after that.

I didn't have time to think about you.

I've never forgotten about you, not a single day.

Mii is ill.

I cannot be intimate with you at such a time.

You're right.

Why don't we support each other as emotionally-connected partners?

I don't want to.

That's even ruder to Her Ladyship.

If a husband's mind is firmly connected to another woman's,

that's the most heartbreaking thing for a wife.

You can't play with a girl who's emotionally connected to you.

What rare things these are.

You said, "The ocean is like my hands." I can really see it.

It smells good.

It's a sack scented by musk.

- Musk? - Right.

Male deer emit that musk scent when they court female deer.

That's for you.

Oh, no.

This is for courting males, so you should keep it.

Oh, I can't believe what I said.

Oh, my.

Sugi-dono, are you all right?

Oh, no.

I'm choked.

Choked? Where?

My chest.

Shall I bring water?

Anybody around? Bring water!

Hey, Mii.

What's the matter?

Don't stay out here. It affects your health.

Sire.

We should adopt Tokujumaru away.

I've been thinking.

For the clan facing the ocean, Tokujumaru is better than Motonaru.

He is as flexible as a willow tree swaying in the wind.

He is perfect for the ocean.

But Motonaru is as proud as a plum flower in the snow.

He's not for the ocean.

You've been sick and bedridden.

Have you been thinking of that?

I kept saying, "I don't want to be separated from my family."

But I realized something.

The best thing is, our minds are connected even when our bodies are in different places.

What is the matter?

Nothing.

If we are separated now, that might make our minds united.

And our clan might be solidified.

Mother, thank you for having made up your mind.

Father.

Being emotionally connected is such a good thing.

How true.

-- MORI MOTONARU (Motonari's Second Son) --

Motonari's second son, Motoharu, reached manhood only one year ago.

He is already a valiant warrior and people rumor about him becoming the Mori's guardian.

Come!

You beat me!

Next!

Motonaru-dono. The lord is waiting for you.

Got it.

I'm sorry for being late.

Since Her Ladyship agreed,

the lord decided to adopt Tokujumaru-dono away to the Kobayakawa of Takehara.

I worried a lot, because Tokujumaru might be put in danger.

I'm going to join the Kobayakawa, because I want to see the ocean.

Did you hear what he said, sire? He is still young.

Sire, let me help you with the matters in the ocean.

The Ouchi are not as powerful as before.

You need to protect your clan with your own power.

A Mori member joining the Takehara-Kobayakawa is a major move.

That's right.

This coming October,

I'm adopting him away.

Every one.

I'm counting on you.

I have three great sons like them.

I can't believe I gave birth to them.

Sire.

I'm so happy.

Well...

Honestly...

I don't want to adopt him away.

Just imagine.

I have great children, but have nothing else to brag about.

It's been already 20 years since I became the clan head.

I've been busy going to battle as a helper.

There he goes again. He's complaining.

Even now,

I'm like a sparrow that is scared of being attacked by hawks and crows.

I'm already 48 now.

I guess I'm done.

My children are my only bragging right, but I'm adopting one of them away.

If by any chance, all of us die in action,

only Tokujumaru will survive because he'll be in the Kobayakawa.

Tokujumaru.

Even after you change your last name, you'll be a Mori man.

You needn't feel lonely.

You're wrong, Takamoto.

Tokujumaru.

Forget about the Mori and truly become a Kobayakawa member.

Even when he is lonely, a true man must help his new home.

Motoharu.

Father is sending his precious son to strengthen the Mori's foundation.

You're saying, if something happens, the Mori and the Kobayakawa can fight against each other.

Bloodshed between children is Father's least favorite thing.

I'm not saying I'm going to fight.

I just said, it's not good if Tokujumaru always pays attention to the Mori.

You both are right.

I'll adopt both measures according to the situations.

Please don't worry.

Mother.

May I ask you a question?

Ask me.

Are you adopting me away, because you don't love me?

I love you most, Tokujumaru.

I love my baby the most.

I can tell them I'm not adopting him away.

Sire.

The three brothers of the Mori were ...

... the loyal Takamoto,

the valorous Motoharu,

and the clever Tokujumaru, later known as Takakage.

They were great sons envied by everybody.

End of Episode 28