Original subtitles

Itsukushima is a treasure of our nation.

It's the most important port in the Inland Sea.

We must protect Itsukushima at all costs.

"Battle at Itsukushima" (1555, Tenbun 24)

In 1555, the Mori and Sue fought for supremacy in the Chugoku Region.

It was a scramble for Itsukushima Island.

Capture it in one blow!!

On September 22, the Sue army landed on Itsukushima...

...and started a fierce attack on the Mori's Miyanojo Castle.

To this, the entire Mori army gathered on the other side of the sea...

...and geared up for counterattack.

Storms are...

...chances in your life.

Let's go!!

At stormy Itsukushima,

Motonari set out for a decisive battle that would determine the fate of the Mori.

MORI MOTONARI

Episode 41: A Surprise Attack at Itsukushima

Screenplay by: Uchidate Makiko

Original Story by: Nagai Michiko

Music by: Watanabe Toshiyuki

Theme Song Performed by: 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

Lady Toshi: Otsuka Nene

Eno: Takahashi Yumiko

Akagawa Motoyasu: Nagashima Toshiyuki

Kodama Naritada: Masuoka Toru

Katsura Motozumi: Tsurumi Shingo

Kikkawa Motoharu: Matsushige Yutaka Kobayakawa Takakage: Megumi Toshiaki

Ko: Akimoto Naomi Sayo: Tanaka Hiroko

Fukubara Sadatoshi: Ishihama Akira Kiyo: Shibata Rie

Sue Harukata: Jinnai Takanori

Hironaka Takakane: Sagawa Mitsuo

Ouchi Yoshitaka: Kazama Toru

Kame: Hazuki Riona

Noda Jiro: Matoba Koji

Shishido Takaie: Kase Taishu Ako: Fujiyoshi Kumiko

Hirasa Nariari: Sato B-saku Inoue Harutada: Namase Katsuhisa

Kunishi Motosuke: Sakamoto Akira Awaya Motochika: Shionoya Masayuki

Mimi: Nishina Fuki Shinbei: Oomori Hiroshi

Hotate Masanao: Harada Yoshio

Tae: Miyamoto Nobuko

Produced by: Kida Yukinori

English Subtitles: Koala Fansubs

Directed by: Kobayashi Takeshi

MOTONARI'S MAIN CAMP (Hotate-Iwa or Flame-Setting Rock, Jigozen)

Motonari was in a place currently known as Hatsukaichi City, Hiroshima.

He was going into a decisive battle against Sue Harukata who was stationed across the ocean.

We're going to battle now.

Storms are...

...chances in your life.

Let's go!!

Father, that's reckless.

I, Takamoto, have to protect my soldiers' lives.

I cannot allow them to go on boats in this storm.

No, we're going.

Father, I'm against your idea, too.

You always praise me as a better fighter.

But I'm against your idea now.

- Please listen to me. - Great Lord.

We would be happy to go to battle by your orders,

even if we must sacrifice our lives.

But this storm is unusual.

No, we're going.

Jiro.

Jiro, I want you to unanchor your ships.

Don't do it.

Even we, the Murakami Navy, have never sailed out in a storm like this.

Ships are alive. I can't abuse them.

Motonari.

In a storm like this, ships will die before people.

You always told me.

"Anybody can go forward."

"Only a few are able to withdraw."

"A key to success is to find out when to withdraw."

This is when to withdraw.

There are three hills in human life.

Uphill, downhill...

And the third one is...

...an unexpected hill.

Your actions when faced with this unexpected hill...

...push you uphill,

or push you downhill.

At this moment, the Sue...

...and the Mori are both facing the unexpected hill.

The Sue doesn't expect us to attack tonight...

...while the Mori doesn't meet their expectations.

Your concerns are all understandable.

However,

you don't need to automatically assume that our ships will sink.

As long as you only worry about possible misfortunes,

that itself brings you misfortunes.

In a storm like this,

the Sue have probably lowered their guard.

We're going to take advantage of that.

Here it comes!

The Mori's stronghold in Itsukushima, Miyanojo Castle...

...was annoyed by rocks dropped from behind by the Sue army.

Our reinforcements are coming soon!

Hold on!

Hotate-dono!

Give us a hand!

Shut up!

I'm thinking of what to do next!

Hotate-dono!!

Henchmen!

We're not feeding you for free!

SUE MAIN CAMP (To-no-Oka or Tower Hill) - Hurry up!

Hurry!

People at Miyanojo are not able to fight back anymore.

With another all-out attack, we can capture it easily.

Good.

Tomorrow morning, as soon as this storm is gone,

we all will launch an attack.

Let our men have a good rest tonight.

But I'm worried about the Mori's movement.

We cannot see far enough because of this storm.

We have no idea what they are doing on the other side.

Don't worry.

Katsura Motozumi is supposed to report me every move the Mori makes.

The navy cannot sail out in this storm.

Then, we should capture Miyanojo early in the morning...

...before the Mori starts moving.

Make sure the ships are tied up!

Hironaka-dono.

I'm going to destroy the Mori in this battle,

conquer Aki and Bingo, and then, head for Kyoto.

What a dependable word.

I'm delighted, sir!

Whoever stands in my way...

...will be slayed and beaten up by me.

When I go to Kyoto and rule this country,

I can make Lord Yoshitaka and Prince Kidomaru happier than anybody else.

Until the day comes,

I'll bear with my stigma as a rebellious subject who killed my own master.

Everyone.

Bear with me for a while.

We all...

...will be with you all the time.

SAKURAO CASTLE (Aki Province) Sakurao Castle was east of the Mori's main camp.

Harukata was planning a pincer attack with Katsura's army in Itsukushima to wipe out the Mori.

Katsura-dono.

I have a message from Sue Harukata-dono.

He wants you to rise in arms with him, at six o'clock tomorrow.

Certainly.

Please tell him we'll rise in arms against the Mori at six o'clock tomorrow.

Thanks for coming.

Please take a rest over there.

Call Shinpachiro over here.

Did you want to see me, sir?

Send a message to the Mori main camp at Hotate-Iwa (Flame-Setting Rock).

The Sue is launching an all-out attack at six o'clock tomorrow.

So tonight is a chance.

Aren't we siding with Sue-dono?

I was going to betray Sue Harukata from the beginning.

Another maneuver by the Great Lord?

The Great Lord hasn't told anyone, including key vassals, even his three sons.

He said, "You can't trick your enemy without tricking your allies."

MORI MAIN CAMP

Who is it?

Motonari-dono...

Where's Motonari-dono?

The Sue is launching an all-out attack on Miyanojo at six o'clock tomorrow.

And they don't think we're coming tonight.

That's the message from Motozumi at Sakurao Castle.

Great Lord.

Why does Motozumi know something like that?

I tricked everyone.

I'm sorry.

Motozumi...

...pretended to switch sides. He was sent by me to the Sue.

He gained the Sue's trust and suggested to them to launch a pincer attack on us.

Being called a rebellious subject,

Sue is rushing to make some achievements.

By dangling his victory through a pincer attack,

I made him trust Motozumi.

Splendid!

I already know so well that maneuvering is the strongest weapon.

Lord, Motoharu-dono and Jiro-dono were...

...close to Sue Harukata-dono.

You three might not be simply happy with the Great Lord's maneuver.

- But this is life-or-death... - I know it!

Now, the only thing we must do is...

... have a brilliant victory that makes Harukata die with smile, saying, "Motonari, you're amazing!"

Fine.

Now, our slogan is "win".

Right.

Our slogan is "win".

The Main Unit will be commanded by the Great Lord and myself.

The vanguard is Motoharu.

Cross over the Bakuchi Ridge from Tsutsumi-ga-Ura,

and attack the Sue main camp from behind.

Unit Two is Takakage's Kobayakawa Navy.

Land on Itsukushima from west,

and join Hirasa and others at Miyanojo to attack the Sue main camp.

Unit Three will be the Murakami Navy.

I'll command my fleet and wait at sea across from Itsukushima.

As we monitor the Main Unit and Unit Two's attacks, we'll attack the Sue ships.

- We'll cut off their retreat. - No, Jiro.

We appreciate that, but we don't need Unit Three.

After sending us to Itsukushima,

I want you to turn back immediately.

We'll return your ships and have no escape route.

We're going to fight a fatal battle.

Alright.

Well, we should keep one ship for the Great Lord.

No, I don't need it.

Jiro.

If we win,

meet us right in front.

If we lose,

let's all die together at Itsukushima.

Listen, everyone.

Only my ship will have a small light.

I don't want the Sue to notice us. So other ships must not have any light.

And burn thousands of torches here at Hotate-Iwa Beach.

That's right.

We'll make them believe that we're still here.

As long as the torches are visible in the storm,

the Sue will never think only torches are burning on the empty beach.

Everyone.

All aboard now.

This stormy weather is...

...a sign of divine protection for us.

It's a big storm.

Don't sail out all at once!

Keep a 20-30 ken (40-99 yards) distance from each other!

Sail out one after another!

Great Lord!

Takakage.

Hurry! Keep going!

Jiro, it was the greatest joy of my life...

...to have met you.

A voyage at age 59 isn't late at all.

Show that to people all over the world, Motonari.

Takamoto.

We're going to battle now.

Let's go!!

Everyone!!

Go to battle!

On September 30, 1555 (Tenbun 24),

the entire Mori army secretly sailed out for Itsukushima.

By departing under cover of darkness and storm, they cut off their escape by themselves.

It was the beginning of the Battle at Itsukushima Island.

A fleet of Murakami Navy ships carrying Motonari, Takamoto, Motoharu and others...

...was heading for Tsutsumi-ga-Ura (Drum Beach), behind the Sue main camp.

KORIYAMA CASTLE (Aki Province)

What a big storm.

I hope they're not sailing out.

Well.

I cannot help feeling that they already sailed out.

My lord must stay in the castle. I'm so fortunate.

Eno-dono.

How can you dare say that?

You don't care what happens to others, as long as you're fine?

I know exactly how Eno-dono is feeling.

Too many battles are killing women, because we must sleep by ourselves.

- What are you saying? - Stop, everyone.

Men are fighting on the stormy sea.

Don't talk like that to me!

Sounds like you're saying my husband isn't fighting.

Stop!

It's much easier for me to go to battle.

Fujino.

That's alright.

It is traditional for Mori women not to hide their feelings.

They are supposed to tell everything with each other.

- Fujino. - Thank you so much.

I got old.

I'm sorry to be so much trouble.

Anyway,

The Great Lord is really something.

Shifting to offense at age 59...

Few men would do that.

"It's long enough to live 50 years."

You could be dead at 59.

No!

If he dies, I'll have to sleep by myself.

I'm thinking of doing another stroke of work, too.

What? With a body like that?

Buddha lets you stay alive, as long as you haven't worked enough.

As long as you're allowed to stay alive, you can do anything from now on.

Oh, no!

Ako-sama! Please...

TAKAYAMA CASTLE (Main Kobayakawa Castle, Nuta) Are you O.K.?

Thank you so much.

I beg you, Tae.

I want to go to Itsukushima to comfort my lord.

No.

It's a battle, you know?

We went to a battlefield last time, and they all appreciated us.

Ako-sama.

If a woman uses the same old trick, men will try to find the length of your foot.

No way.

We're married.

I don't care if he wants to find the length of my foot.

If I go and comfort him, he'll be able to work ten times more.

Comfort him? What do you mean by that?

A man being comforted doesn't deserve to be called a man.

Like the Great Lord, a real man must always put up a good front.

Oh, dear. Don't you know?

He is widely known as a mumbler. He's called "Motonari the Mumbler".

You must have heard wrong. It must be "Motonari the Bullish".

Tae, when my lord is fighting and tired,

I just want to give him a big hug.

Sometimes, men might want to be babied by women.

How can you not to be embarrased saying something like that?

You don't say something embarrasing. That's why men want to stay away from you!

That's why they call you an unfriendly woman.

Tae...?

You're right.

I don't comfort men. I always scold them.

That's why they think I'm unfriendly. I know that.

But it's too embarrassing for me...

...to say something like that.

Whenever I see men, I cannot help saying,

"Straighten up."

"Pull yourself together."

"Put up a good front."

In my heart, I'm saying,

"I can baby you."

"It's O.K. to cry."

"Relax." That's what I'm saying.

Tae, you're poor at organizing.

You're poor at handling men, too.

Ako-sama.

If the Mori army wins,

they'll come back to Sakurao Castle.

To celebrate their victory, let's go and visit them.

Really?

My lord must be exhausted after the battle.

I'll hold him so tightly that his spine will be broken.

Oh my, how can you say...?

Aren't you embarrassed?

Sire.

Oh, Ako-sama.

TSUTSUMI-GA-URA, ITSUKUSHIMA Murakami Navy's brilliant steering...

...made Mori men land safely on Tsutsumi-ga-Ura, despite the storm.

Hurry!

Climb up to the Bakuchi Ridge before sunrise and sneak behind the Sue army!

Hurry!

Hurry.

Hurry!

Hurry up.

Nomi-dono, let's go.

Kunishi-dono.

You have no time to play.

Hurry.

Jiro.

Thanks for your help.

Don't die.

Kame touched my body.

I will never die.

After I go to a better land,

I'll marry Kame.

Now.

Hurry and go.

Motonari.

People should live as they like.

That's what I believe.

Farewell.

Thus, Unit One commanded by Motonari headed for the steep Bakuchi Ridge,

right behind the Sue main camp.

Meanwhile, Unit Two commanded by Takakage and the fleet of Kobayakawa ships...

...couldn't land on the west side of Itsukushima Shrine due to the violent storm.

Fine!

We're landing on Itsukushima Shrine now!

What are you saying, sir?

The beach in front of the shrine is packed with the enemy ships.

Don't care.

Sue vassals don't know who I am.

And because of this storm,

nobody is opening their eyes.

I'm Mori Motonari's third son, Kobayakawa Takakage!

I'm gonna try a maneuver like my father!

Light the torches!

We're going to battle!

Taking advantage of the unprecedented storm,

Takakage tried to openly land on the front side of Itsukushima Shrine.

Who is it?

We came from Chikuzen Province to help Sue Harukata-dono.

We are the Munakata Navy.

Let us see Sue-dono.

Oh, Munakata-dono.

We were waiting for you.

Please go ahead.

Oh, thanks.

Thanks a lot.

Wow, what a huge gate.

- Uh-oh. - Sire.

Thus, Takakage's ships hid around the shrine...

...and waited for the call.

Stay warm and have a good sleep.

Let servants have some drink.

We're attacking Minanojo Castle tomorrow morning.

I want you to fight really good.

Drink more!

I'm counting on you tomorrow.

I guess the storm has gone.

Sue-dono.

Look at that.

They can't move. I knew it.

That looks like the last, one night-long flame of the Mori's life.

Sue Main Camp Jigozen

BAKUCHI RIDGE (Gambling Ridge)

With only torchlight in jet-black darkness,

Motonari finally reached the Bakuchi Ridge, right behind the Sue main camp.

Father.

The Sue army hasn't noticed anything yet.

The rain is easing off.

Father.

Heaven is with us.

I don't see Jiro-dono's ships.

We must be prepared, too.

Naritada.

"Win."

We just have to win.

Jiro.

Shinbei.

Stop the ships.

We're going to wait here.

Aren't we turning back?

No.

I told Motonari that we were turning back.

But, from the beginning, I was going to fight as Unit Three.

That's what I want!

Any Sue ships running away to this ocean...

...I'm going to sink them all.

Stop the ships.

We're going to fight the Sue, too.

Early Morning, October 1

Let's go!!

Let's go!

The Mori was trying to release themselves from the Sue's control...

...and attain complete supremacy in the Inland Sea.

Their battle for the goal has just began.

Let's go!

Sue-dono!

The Mori are attacking us!

That's not true.

Motozumi hasn't reported any...

Charge!

Sire!

Sire, a blaze started in Itsukushima.

Please issue your order to reinforce the Mori army.

Don't move.

Until this battle is over, I'm not moving soldiers from Sakurao Castle.

I wrote a pledge that I have no second thought toward Sue-dono.

Sue-dono trusted me.

Even if this is part of maneuvering,

what I pledged is a pledge.

I cannot draw a bow at Sue-dono.

You tricked me, Motozumi.

Everyone, beat off the Mori.

Get Motonari's head!

Go!

Where's Harukata?

Find him.

Let's go.

Go!

Takakage.

Ships!

Get on the ships!

Now, go!

Alright, just as we planned.

Block the fleers here!

You don't need to get Hironaka.

But don't let the shrine catch on fire.

Great Lord.

Advance as we previously planned.

- Go. - Great Lord!

Jiro-dono is fighting against the Sue army!

Jiro...

Sue-dono!

Please run away.

It's a total breakdown everywhere.

We have ships on the western beach.

Shut up!

Fight with me!

Harukata-dono.

You're gonna get killed instead!

Harukata-dono.

I'll never forget about your help when we holed up in Koriyama Castle.

But this time...

Don't say that!!

Run!

Run away!

Takamoto!

Sue-dono!

Please run away!

Hironaka-dono!!

Sire! Go to the ship!

Sire! Please leave here...!

Get him!

Don't let him go!

Are you picking me up?

Where's my ship?

Jiro?

Jiro...

Harukata.

Don't live in disgrace in the reign of Motonari.

Kame...

You didn't touch my arm,

because you wanted me to die, didn't you?

I'll be right there.

Kame...

From now on...

...it will surely be the time with more battles.

You must survive...

Motonari...!

"What shall I regret,"

"What shall I blame?"

"From the beginning,"

"I already knew"

"How my life would end."

Ever since I was born, I expected to live a life like this.

I have nothing to regret, nothing to blame.

Sue Harukata, at age 35, quietly wrote this death poem.

Oh, thanks.

Thanks a lot.

Well done, everyone.

MINAYOJO CASTLE (Itsukushima)

Great Lord!

Great Lord.

Hirasa.

Hatutada.

You were holding on so well.

Thanks a lot.

Thank you for your kind words, but...

Great Lord.

Lord.

Please stand back.

It's falling apart.

Please forgive our rudeness.

It's alright now.

I'm fine. I'm alright.

Careful.

Why did you let go!?

Great Lord.

Sue Harukata...

...and Jiro-dono fought against each other.

They're both dead.

Both...

...died?

Moronari probably excelled other generals simply because of his three sons, who were far outstanding...

...Mori Takamoto, Kikkawa Motoharu and Kobayakawa Takakage.

On October 1, 1555 (Tenbun 24),

the Battle at Itsukushima, which determined the fate of the Mori,

ended with the Mori army's clear-cut victory.

It was when Mori Motonari was 59-years-old.

End of Episode 41