Original subtitles

I'm going to take the Kikkawa.

Operation "Kikkawa Takeover."

Motonari was trying to form a new local alliance without relying on the great Ouchi.

He gained the eastern half of Aki by force and adoptions.

His next target was one of the strongest constables in Aki, the Kikkawa.

The Kikkawa had economic power from abundant lumber...

...and massive military power from iron production.

People feared the clan as the "Demon Kikkawa."

The strong-minded Mii, and Tsunehisa's wife, Hagi, were Kikkawa, too.

The clan head, Okitsune, betrayed the Ouchi during the campaign to Izumo ...

... and pushed the Mori to the brink of annihilation.

To Motonari, conquering the Kikkawa meant a battle to beat his arch-rival, Okitsune.

MORI MOTONARI

Episode 32: Motonari Turns Into a Demon

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

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 Mimi: Nishina Fuki

Kikkawa Okitsune: Kyomoto Masaki

Kumagai Nobunao: Watabiki Katsuhiko

Hisa: Matsukane Yoneko Kosanta: Nasa Kenji

Kunishi Motosuke: Sakamoto Akira Awaya Motochika: Shionoya Masayuki

Kikkawa Tsuneyo: Omori Hiroshi Oshio Uemonnojo: Ed Yamaguchi

Yasu: Yanagi Asuka

Hotate Naomasa: Harada Yoshio

Lady Sugi: Matsuzaka Keiko

Produced by: Kida Yukinori

English subtitles: Koala Fansubs

Directed by: Iso Tomoaki

July 1546 (Tenbun 15)

So Sugi-dono went to paradise.

Until right before she died, she was looking forward to going to Tenjiku with you,

and was getting ready for her trip.

I postponed my trip to Tenjiku, too.

Don't you have business there?

Well.

There's no hurry.

But ...

... she looked so innocent when she said she wanted to go to Tenjiku.

I thought, "She's so interesting. I have to go with her."

Hotate-dono.

You highlighted her twilight years. Thank you very much.

She was so interesting.

Hotate-dono.

Losing your loved ones makes you sad,

but it also makes you a bit relieved, because you have no burden.

I have no one to protect any more.

To protect his wife, children, parents, and the disadvantaged,

a man lowers his head against his will.

He bears things that are against his intention.

I no longer have to do so.

My children are all independent now.

Hotate-dono.

As of now,

I can live as I like.

That's great.

Motonari-dono.

You should turn your eyes not only to Japan but also to abroad.

Let's have magnificent lives together.

Father!

Oh, Hotate-dono! Hello!

I called you two because I need to tell you something.

Motoharu.

I'm going to adopt you off to the Kikkawa.

You'll be adopted by Okitsune and become the Kikkawa clan head.

Fujino.

Go to the Kikkawa with him and help him.

Yes.

As soon as Mother dies,

you're taking her clan, aren't you?

Okitsune betrayed his allies more than once.

I don't think his vassals want to follow him.

If we leave him alone, other constables will take his fief.

We're going to outsmart them.

Great Lord.

I am pleased to go with Motoharu-dono.

Thank you for putting me to work.

I'm pleased to be adopted.

This is not going to be a takeover or attack.

We have to make the Kikkawa want Motoharu by all means.

Try to get Okitsune's uncle, Tsuneyo.

He's been supporting the clan as Okitsune's relative.

He must be upset with Okitsune, who put his clan in danger.

Tsuneyo-dono is Mii-sama's younger brother.

He's been timid since childhood.

Gain him over first.

Make him accept Motoharu.

With both mountain and marine provinces, the Kikkawa and the Kobayakawa,

the Mori have two big strongholds.

That's right.

Make the Mori stronger.

And I'll unify Aki like a monolith with my own hands.

As instructed by Motonari, Fujino secretly called out Kikkawa Tsuneyo.

-- KIKKAWA TSUNEYO -- -- (Kikkawa Key Vassal, Mii's Brother) --

She secretly showed him letters from Motonari.

Please give this to Okitsune-dono.

Tell Motonari-dono this.

Okitsune-dono has an heir named Senboshi-sama. He doesn't need to adopt a boy.

Tsuneyo-dono.

My lord found out everything.

Okitsune-dono betrayed the Ouchi. While he was in the Amago's Toda Castle,

the Kikkawa castle was exploited by a vassal, Oshio Uemonnojo.

Oshio became arrogant and has been ignoring you and other Kikkawa relatives.

Okitsune-dono was reinstated as the head. But even worse --

he and Oshio seem to be managing the clan as they like.

This is what my lord says all the time.

"Tsuneyo-dono won't keep holding back."

How rude of him...!

-- KIKKAWA OKITSUNE -- -- (Kikkawa Clan Head) --

He's trying to take my clan. It's obvious.

-- OSHIO UEMONNOJO (Kikkawa Key Vassal) -- - Sire.

You should refuse immediately.

Well, sire.

The Mori are the most powerful clan in Aki now.

You should take time to see what they'll do,

and make your moves carefully.

Tsuneyo-dono.

Quit acting like that. The Mori will underestimate us.

Oshio, you have no right to talk to me like that!

Damn Motonari!

He reinstated me as head and put me under an obligation.

He seems to be getting carried away.

- Uemonnojo. - Yes, sire.

- Let's make plans in my room. - Yes, sire.

Please wait!

Sire!

Tsuneyo must be ...

... already in our hands.

Yes.

Now.

What will Okitsune do?

Knowing what kind of person he is,

I'm not sure if he'll act as you expect.

-- KUMAGAI NOBUNAO'S MANSION -- - Kikkawa Okitsune soon visited �

... Kumagai Nobunao -- one of the most powerful constables in Aki.

Kumagai-dono, you father was killed by Mori Motonari.

You must still be holding a grudge toward him.

After all, he is the one who killed your precious father.

-- KUMAGAI NOBUNAO (Provincial Constable of Aki) -- - During the battle at Kanayama Castle of Sato,

the Mori army helped me.

Motonari-dono is quite a person.

Making people believe so is his usual ploy.

Once you trust him, he'll take everything.

I thought that was Okitsune-dono's usual ploy.

Actually, Motonari has a scheme to take the Kikkawa clan.

He told me to adopt his second son, Motoharu.

Really?

He knows I have an heir, Senboshi. How rude of him.

He will do anything for his own benefit.

As far as I know, he is not that kind of a person.

If Motonari keeps getting stronger,

he'll smash the distinguished clans of Aki one after another.

And?

What do you want me to do?

Why don't you side with us?

Are you going to rise in arms against the Mori?

Aha...

The Kikkawa cannot win the battle alone.

That's why you're inviting us?

If we give him a blow now, it'll be good for you, too.

Kumagai-dono.

If you side with me,

I'll give you the fief of Honji.

Mimi-sama, more buds over here!

Ah, they'll bloom soon, maybe tomorrow.

Uemonnojo.

- Is that Mimi? - Yes, sir.

Hmm, she's as ugly as they say.

-- MIMI -- -- (Kumagai Nobunao's Daughter) --

That's why Kumagai-dono is worried.

I heard her name, Mimi, means "double beauty."

How ironic.

After a while,

Motonari received word from Kumagai.

His letter said, "Kikkawa Okitsune has been diligently contacting him."

He's trying to win Kumagai-dono over.

He got a good point.

Kumagai-dono took his time writing to me.

It's rather suspicious.

He pretends he's being nice to us,

but he's thinking of siding with the Kikkawa. What do you think?

You might be right.

Next!

Keep practicing!

Were you seeing your past love in me again?

Not anymore.

I finally realized at this age.

I've been working hard, because I've never gone out with men.

But work and men are both valuable.

Once I decided to live for work,

I started feeling much better.

Last night, I heard about Kumagai-dono from Father.

The Mori's life is at stake now, depending on which side Kumagai-dono chooses.

It's not easy to win him over.

He controls constables in the Takeda fief.

He's very proud of that.

Can't we find his weakness?

Well, his daughter, Mimi-dono --

she's well-known for her ugly looks.

He feels bad and cries for her, they say.

I'm ugly, too.

Pretty women aren't necessarily happy.

That's why the human world is interesting.

Like me,

Mimi-dono should stop expecting a man to support her.

Kikkawa Okitsune saw Kumagai-dono many times.

Kumagai-dono seems to be leaning slowly toward him.

I see.

Thanks.

Father.

I have something to tell you.

Come again later.

I want to marry Kumagai-dono's daughter.

Motoharu.

His daughter is ugly. Everybody knows that.

Didn't you know that?

Oh, well.

I've never seen her,

but they say, at first glance, everybody bends backwards.

A man like you doesn't have to marry such a woman.

I need to.

Father, Takamoto, Shiji-dono.

If I marry the ugly girl who makes people bend backwards,

Kumagai-dono would be grateful to us.

I heard he feels bad and cries for his daughter.

We have to use this weakness of his.

You're right, Motoharu.

But once you're married, you'll have to see her face every day.

I get tired of pretty faces in three days.

But I also get used to ugly faces in three days.

I have a pretty fiancee.

So I'll get tired of her in three days!?

Stop it.

Hey, Motoharu.

Listen.

A man's value is determined by his choice of wife.

The wife's value isn't determined by her face.

A man who's fixated on a women's beauty has no value.

A man who's after a women's personality hasn't seen anything yet.

The wife's value isn't determined by her beauty or personality.

It's whether she can save the clan during crises or not. That's it!

I'm going to talk to them by myself. No need to worry.

Excuse me!

Motoharu.

Motoharu!

What a weird son.

Did he get too used to ugly women ...

... because I had Fujino work for him?

Now, without the pretty ladies like Her Ladyship, the Great Lady, and Yuki-dono,

the Mori clan will be a swamp of ugly women.

How can you be so easy-going?

If he makes such an offer, Kumagai-dono might be mad at us.

That makes me more worried.

Do you think it'll work?

You already know why I came with you.

Most women feel confident looking at me.

She would start thinking of marrying into the clan with such an ugly woman.

Well, Motoharu-dono.

What brings you here?

Is it about Kikkawa-dono?

No.

Kumagai-dono.

Would you kindly consider my marriage with Mimi-dono?

Please!

My name is Fujino.

Since I served Her Late Ladyship,

I took the liberty of coming over in place of his mother.

Please.

Allow him to have Mimi-dono as his wife.

Please leave.

How insulting.

Mimi is well-known for her ugly looks.

You're taking advantage of it to gain me over.

You're the lowest of the low!

I've been unsure which side I want to take, but I just made up my mind!

I'm going to side with the Kikkawa.

Siding with the menial Mori will tarnish the Kumagai!

Please wait!

I'd like to talk to her in person. Please allow me to see her!

No!

Let me warn you.

Mimi is ugly, but she is sweet-natured and smart.

Like any other father,

I won't stand for my daughter being mocked by in-laws or what she may be forced to endure.

I'd rather keep her here.

Mimi!

My name is Mimi.

I happened to overhear your conversations.

My name is Mori Motoharu.

As you guessed, I wanted to marry you for the security of the Mori.

If your clan becomes the Mori's in-laws, your father won't side with the Kikkawa.

That's what I figured.

That's what everybody's doing nowadays.

My father is mad, because you took advantage of my ugliness.

Did you take advantage of it?

I did.

I thought, "That's perfect!"

Motoharu-dono.

Stand up.

Show me your back.

Please sit down.

Forgive my rudeness,

but you were rude, too.

Father.

I want to marry him.

Mimi.

Are you sure?

Yes.

I just looked at him.

He has a radiant look.

If an ugly girl like me marries such a magnificent man,

that'll give hope to other ugly women, even if it's for the clan.

Because I'm ugly, I've been trying to keep smiling.

People will be encouraged by me and think,

"Keep smiling and something good will happen."

How smart she is.

I feel like I'm talking to my old self.

Motoharu-dono.

I'll perform my job as your wife very well.

When you aren't satisfied with me, you can have a pretty concubine.

Let's go home, Fujino.

She's got good smiles, but I'm disappointed with her heart.

Mimi-dono.

I've never thought of having a concubine, not even once.

My father, Motonari, has no concubine.

Once I marry you, I will have eyes only for you.

But you're telling me to have a concubine. You're belittling me!

I don't mind ugly looks at all,

but I can't stand a woman who feels pity for herself and has already given up!!

Motoharu-dono!

Most men are fixated to women's beauty.

Ugly women can only manage to live by giving up on themselves.

They feel better after they give up on themselves.

I've given up on my looks and decided to keep smiling.

Nobody can criticize me for that!

Why are you so tense on your shoulders?

Loosen up.

Father.

I want to marry Motoharu-dono.

Motoharu-dono.

Very well.

Mimi feels too much pity for herself.

She tends to smile desperately and act strong.

I have the same fate. I know exactly how she's feeling.

Please take good care of her.

So she can smile from the bottom of her heart.

I promise.

It's been hard for me to see my own daughter being tense all the time.

I have the same fate. I know exactly how you feel.

I see.

You're engaged now.

Thanks.

I thought Kumagai-dono would get mad at you. I was worried.

Good job, Motoharu.

I'm proud of you.

I already told Father.

Motoharu.

Sorry.

I'm marrying someone I love, even if I'm the first son.

You're second-born. You're supposed to have a more self-willed life.

But you're marrying her for our clan.

Mimi-dono is cute.

She must have had hard times.

Girls with tense shoulders are cute.

You could break her with just one finger.

I want to protect her.

Motoharu.

Takamoto, you should drink more.

Here.

I...

I don't like women men want to protect.

I want a wife to walk along with me. Otherwise, I can't manage my household.

You're so much like Father.

I don't want to walk along with my wife.

Even if I risk my own life, I want to walk ahead of her.

Motoharu.

You'll get tired eventually.

Like Father, I'm going to complain to my wife and show my weakness to her.

I have no intention of doing so.

All my life, I'll remain a strong husband and father.

I want my wife and children to admire me.

If your wife and children don't admire you, who else will follow you?

If you can't cry in front of your wife, you cannot show your strength outside.

Why we are so different?

Are we real brothers?

Here, Takamoto.

I'm going to drink a lot today.

Mii.

I have good news today.

"Sister Myokyu."

Motoharu is getting married.

She is a bit ugly,

but I wouldn't bend backwards.

Because I'm already used to Fujino.

Hey, Mii.

He is such a weird son.

But he's doing so good, isn't he?

Motoharu is engaged with Kumagai Nobunao-dono's daughter, Mimi-dono.

I'm happy to make the announcement.

Um...

Rumors say she is...

I'm sorry that I didn't ask everyone first.

We just heard that Kumagai-dono would side with us, not with the Kikkawa.

Rest assured.

One more thing.

We're trying to adopt Motoharu away to the Kikkawa.

What?

You haven't told us anything.

We used to hear everything.

After Takamoto-dono becomes the head, he moves everything without asking us.

We are not needed. Is that what he means?

He's asking you now, isn't he?

Nothing is certain yet.

Adoption must be ...

... the Great Lord's idea, right?

Motoharu-dono's marriage cuts the tie between the Kikkawa and the Kumagai.

Then, a Mori boy will be sent to the Kikkawa.

Great Lord.

You scare me.

Kumagai-dono is our ally now.

So Motoharu will be adopted for sure.

- Shiji. - Yes, sir.

These are secret letters from Kikkawa Tsuneyo-dono.

As time goes by,

his complaints about Okitsune are getting more obvious.

How...? When did you...?

The Kikkawa are divided now.

Motoharu isn't going to tie the Kikkawa with the Mori.

He's going to take the Kikkawa for the Mori.

Let me tell you as the head.

Everyone must remember ...

... what the Great Lord just said.

Yes, sir.

Sugi-dono, please watch me.

I, Inoue,

will do another job before the sun goes down.

"The sun becomes more radiant right before it goes down."

"Did you know that?"

"Humans and the sun are supposed to burn right up to the end."

Inoue-dono?

Inoue-dono, are you visiting her grave?

Thank you so much.

I'm leaving my job soon,

but no matter where I go, I will always remember you, Sugi-sama.

Here, Sugi-sama.

Oh, am I interrupting you?

Sugi-dono.

I will remain a villain until I die.

But the lord is a villain, too.

It's a fight between two villains.

I'll drag Motonari down.

I want to die after beating Motonari.

I, an all-time loser,

will drag down Motonari, an all-time winner.

Don't get mad at me.

Everybody hates people who win all the time.

Sugi-sama will understand how you're feeling.

By the way, Sugi-sama.

Did you find any hunks in paradise?

-- Spring 1547 (Tenbun 16) --

With cherry blossoms blooming, Mimi came to marry Motoharu.

She is here.

This is Mimi-dono.

Thanks for coming.

I am Motonari.

I am Takamoto, his older brother.

I am Mimi.

I am going to follow Motoharu-sama forever.

Please take this.

Is this for me?

Yes.

Shall we go?

I'm surprised. She is lovable, isn't she?

Well,

I was all prepared so that I wouldn't bend backwards no matter what happened.

So I won't be surprised no matter what happens.

I can't say no to Motonaru for the rest of my life.

Hey.

- Don't be jealous. - I'm not.

It was a happy spring day.

However, in addition to Okitsune trying to make a comeback and Inoue foiling a plot,

another storm awaited Motonari.

End of Episode 32

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