Original subtitles

When Mori Motonari was born,

the Chugoku Region had the Ouchi clan (regional guardian) in Yamaguchi and...

...the Amago clan, who were extending power mostly over the Sea of Japan side.

The two major powers were in fierce competition.

The Mori, as a mere small provincial constable in Aki,

often got caught in battles between the two major powers.

They had no other survival tactics.

As they fought to survive, they gradually established their status as the leader of Aki.

They took advantage of locating between the Ouchi and the Amago,

and finally became a key player in conflicts between the two major clans.

The two major clans lost charismatic heads and began to suffer.

Then, Mori Motonari took the Ouchi in.

He also developed power to compete against the Amago, the remaining power.

Now, the fateful battle to determine supremacy in the Chugoku Region,

is about to begin.

MORI MOTONARI

Episode 49: A Lonely Champion

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

Mori Terumoto: Morita Tsuyoshi

Lady Toshi: Otsuka Nene

Eno: Takahashi Yumiko

Kodama Naritada: Masuoka Toru

Katsura Motozumi: Tsurumi Shingo

Akagawa Motoyasu: Nagashima Toshiyuki

Kikkawa Motoharu: Matsushige Yutaka Kobayakawa Takakage: Megumi Toshiaki

Ko: Akimoto Naomi Sayo: Tanaka Hiroko

Ako: Fujiyoshi Kumiko Mimi: Nishina Fuki

Ooba Katakane: Nakajima Hisayuki Kikkawa Motosuke: Shimizu Shin

Lady Mii: Tomita Yasuko

Amago Kunihisa: Shimizu Koji

Amago Haruhisa: Takashima Masahiro

Amago Tsunehisa: Ogata Ken

Fukubara Sadatoshi: Ishihama Akira Kunishi Motosuke: Sakamoto Akira

Yamanaka Shikanosuke: Yamada Jundai

Mitsu: Iwasaki Hiromi

Amago Yoshihisa: Nakamura Shido Kawazoe Hisanobu: Uesugi Shozo

Kosanta: Nasa Kenji Kiyo: Shibata Rie

Tae: Miyamoto Nobuko

Produced by: Kida Yukinori

English Subtitles: Koala Fansubs

Directed by: Yoshikawa Kunio

1565 (Eiroku 8) It has been four years...

...since the Mori army besieged Gassan-Toda Castle in Izumo.

GASSAN-TODA CASTLE (Izumo) Since the Mori set an example of killing deserters,

Amago soldiers have been suffering from hunger, because they couldn't escape.

ARAWAI CASTLE (Mori Main Camp, Izumo) Meanwhile, the Mori army were being at ease,

waiting for the Amago to run out of food.

They were enjoying their leisurely stay that was unusual on a battlefield.

Motoharu.

Thanks for copying all the forty volumes of Taiheiki.

This is an asset for future generations.

You're welcome.

Motoharu, you're well-known as an ever-victorious general.

But I didn't know you were a real litterateur.

I'm surprised.

I know we're having a battle, but...

...I don't want to laugh and wait for the Amago to die of hunger.

If I do something for future generations,

the Amago will be able to rest in peace.

Great Lord.

The Amago must be thinking of opening the castle gates soon.

Right.

We should catch this tide to make a settlement with them.

I think so, too.

No.

When you think you've done enough,

you should wait for another beat.

Hey.

Rice gruel.

This is it?

I heard we got provisions.

I don't understand.

The superiors seem to be hiding it.

Sounds like someone is in communication with the Mori.

Are you sure?

Unforgiveable. Who's that?

I'm not really sure, but a rumor says...

...it's Kawazoe-dono.

Kawazoe?

Our lord is betrayed by his aide?

If that's true,

we'll be in big trouble.

Hey.

Did you hear that?

The superiors are eating a lot.

What?

- Did you want to see me, sir? - Hisanobu.

I trusted you and followed your ways.

But why are you�Edoing nothing?

Don't you have any ideas?

Kawazoe-dono, you're doing nothing...

...because you're in communication with the Mori, according to a rumor.

Sire.

Don't take such a rumor seriously.

But, Kawazoe-dono.

You made us bear, because you wanted to find out every single detail of the Mori...

...and wait for them to lower their guard?

How smart of you, Yamanaka Shikanosuke.

I'm impressed.

This is a secret letter from a Mori vassal, Akawaga Motoyasu.

He says, "The Mori are completely off guard."

Three days from now, on the night of the new moon,

he wants me to send him an assassin.

An assassin?

Are you going to kill Motonari?

That's right.

I have been in communication with Akagawa...

...to find a chance for that.

Kawazoe, you're being tricked.

You think you're tricking Motonari,

but you're being tricked by him.

I finished setting...

...all the traps for the Amago.

Three days from now, on the night of the new moon,

an assassin is coming to kill you.

I'll kill the assassin,

you can prove a Mori man's secret tie with the Amago.

Then, my job will be done.

The Amago trust you.

Their hope for comeback win must be expanding now.

I won't miss the chance...

...to cut them down from inside.

Even demons...

...are kinder than you, Great Lord.

Motoyasu.

After this battle is over,

I'm going to call you back from Akama-ga-seki.

I, Motoyasu,

accepted this mission for late lord.

Not for the Mori, nor for you, Great Lord.

Please do not mind me, sir.

Takamoto died in front of you.

Furthermore,

you contacted Kawazoe behind my back.

I and the other clansmen cannot help doubting you as guilty of murdering Takamoto.

But,

If you complete this mission,

all the suspicions will be cleared.

Only Takamoto-dono knew...

...my innocence.

That's good enough.

I want to prove my innocence...

...on my own way.

You're so stubborn, Motoyasu.

After your mission is complete,

go back to Akama-ga-seki secrely...

...and wait for my instructions.

Great Lord.

- Who's that? - Wait.

That's my spy.

Don't worry.

Prepare the horse and wait for me.

Kosanta.

What's the matter?

People in the Amago castle...

...are reaching their limits.

I widely spread a rumor of Kawazoe being in communication with the Mori.

So everybody knows about that.

This is the finishing blow.

This is a secret letter addressed to Kawazo.

Make this letter fall into Yoshihisa's hands.

Certainly, sir.

Kosanta.

I've known you for a long time.

Yes.

You have more grey hair now.

Like a bird,

like wind,

you worked for me a lot.

Great Lord.

I, Kosanta,

want to make this my last mission.

As a ninja,

I've grown too old.

I see.

After capturing Gassan-Toda Castle,

I'm going to make Terumoto take over the clan.

This might be...

...our last mission.

Yes.

Long time ago,

Lady Mii saved my life.

It was like only yesterday.

Kosanta!

Sheath your sword!

His name is Kosanta. He is a Kikkawa spy.

I was wrong.

Please forgive me.

Great Lord.

It's been...

...47 years since then.

47 years, huh?

Kosanta.

After this,

what are you going to do?

I'll move into the heart of a mountain...

...and live there as I feed birds.

I see.

At Koriyama Castle,

all women were gathering based on an idea of Tae's.

They were going to start praying for their clansmen on the battlefield.

Gathering all the ancestor's tablets to pray for the Mori's victory...

What a great idea, Tae-sama?

Not this.

Oh.

This is Fujino-dono's tablet.

Fujino-dono.

I'm much loved by my husband Motoharu.

That made me become such a pretty woman.

Lady Mii.

You loved my husband Takakage more than anyone else.

Please protect him.

I'll ask everyone.

Please make the Great Lord live as long as possible.

Please protect him.

Please heed my request.

Hey, what I hear is...

...your prayers only for your own husbands.

Aren't you supposed to pray for the Mori's victory?

Kiyo.

That's fine. I heard the Mori are winning for sure.

Kiyo.

Bring a new string.

Yes.

- By the way, Gin-dono. - Yes?

Do something about your mistress, Tae-sama.

Instead of making a prayer room here,

she is making a mess.

She wants the Great Lord to live to be 150-years-old.

She's just practicing the art of perpetual youth and longevity.

Leave her alone.

Forget about perpetual youth and longevity.

Don't make any more mess, Tae-sama!

Done!

This is done!

Can you really make him live to be 150-years-old?

Still halfway. But he can live to age 75.

According to books,

you'll be up and around until 75 only by licking this.

- Up and around...? - Try it.

So this works, doesn't it?

- Yes, it does. - Mimi-sama.

How is it?

Must be bitter.

It is bitter.

Because it works.

By the time the Great Lord comes home,

I'll make a medicine for making you live to be 150.

Great Lord.

I will stay with you, forever.

Who is it?

He'll die.

To Kawazoe-dono?

This is from Mori Motonari.

Great Lord.

A ninja isn't supposed to make noise.

I'm no good anymore.

But your secret letter...

...is now in his hands.

It was the night of the new moon.

Were you sent by Kawazoe-dono?

Right.

Mori Motonari changed his bedroom for tonight.

Check the location with the map over there.

Akagawa killed the assassin and...

...secretly returned to Akama-ga-seki where he confined himself.

Mori Motonari's once-in-a-lifetime battle was...

...about to enter the climax.

Day has broken.

Why haven't we heard...

...a report that Motonari was killed?

Kawazoe-dono.

It's taking too long.

Be patient.

He was killed for sure.

Lord!

That's the report.

Is Moronari dead?

What's the word?

The Mori are telling your soldiers to desert the castle.

Many soldiers are leaving now!

What...?

That noise is being made by deserters?

Motonari...

Motonari isn't dead?

I don't know.

Akagawa...

Akagawa...

What is he doing?

I don't know.

What is Akagawa doing?

Open!

Food.

Food! Food is over there!

Motonari announced that...

...he'll save the lives of deserters and feed them.

As a result,

not only foot soldiers but also key vassals surrendered to the Mori.

Look.

You were tricked by Akagawa.

The Amago...

The Amago are done.

The Amago are done.

Your Ladyship.

- Your Ladyship, it's not certain yet. - It is.

We're done.

We are not done!

Sire.

I'll issue an order...

...to gather remaining soldiers and form an army.

Stay here, Kawazoe.

Sire.

This was carried by a man who seemed to be a Mori spy.

This is definitely Motonari's handwriting. I already checked.

"When the Mori wins,"

"I will give you part of the Amago fief."

"I will repay you enough, Kawazoe-dono, for..."

"...having secretly communicated with the Mori."

You...

...were in communication with Motonari, as I doubted.

Wh...

What are you saying, sire?

I was communicating with Akagawa to...

...spy on the Mori. Didn't I tell you?

Then why?

Why nothing has changed?

Why?

I trusted you...

- I trusted you. - Yoshihisa.

You did what your father did.

You did what your father did!!

Kunihisa.

You're making me sad.

You doubt me that much...?

When Haruhisa killed Kunihisa, the Amago were half done.

You just killed Kawazoe, we are all done now.

You and your father put an end to the Amago!

Your Ladyship.

Motonari's maneuvering again.

Motonari's maneuvering.

The Amago are barely alive now.

Great Lord.

Let's attack them now...

...and capture the castle.

Great Lord's maneuvering is impressive as usual.

He killed deserters first and...

...told them we'd kill them once they step out of the castle.

He made them eat more food.

Now, he's telling them that he'll treat deserters generously.

Now you can capture the castle with only ten soldiers!

Great Lord.

Even an old fart like me can capture it.

Please issue me the order now!

No.

I don't.

Wait for Amago Yoshihisa to surrender.

Then, he'll just vacate his castle for us.

- That doesn't mean we capture it. - Right.

Gassan-Toda Castle is a well-known impregnable castle.

- We can make our mark only by capturing it. - No.

I'm not going to.

I...

...liked Amago Tsunehisa-dono.

He was my enemy.

But he was a general...

...who had been my loadstar.

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.

I could keep fighting this far...

because...

...I've been thinking of Tsunehisa-dono as my loadstar.

To Me, Gassan-Toda Castle is...

...a symbol of something far and out of my reach.

That's why...

...I want to get it no matter what.

But...

You can't attack and capture it.

A house where a great general used to live...

...must be treated respectfully.

Let's do what Grandpa says.

I don't want to kill Yoshihisa either.

Thanks...

...for understanding my wish.

Grandpa!

- Great Lord! - Grandpa!

- Pull yourself together! - Grandpa!

Call the physician! Now!

- Great Lord. - Somebody!

Hurry up!

November 1566 (Eiroku 9) In addition to his old age of 70,

Motonari was exhausted from the deaths of his beloved ones and non-stop campaigns.

His body was seized with illnesses.

Great Lord!

He was bed-ridden off and on in his camp.

In November 1566 (Eiroku 9),

Amago Yoshihisa finally surrendered.

As he pledged, Motonari gained Gassan-Toda Castle without attacking.

"...will hand Gassan-Toda Castle to..."

When Amago Yoshihisa vacated Gassan-Toda Castle,

the Amago had only 140 men left.

Motonari greeted Yoshihisa respectfully.

He promised him to build a mansion for him in Aki...

...and treat him with care as his guest for good.

I, Amago Yoshihisa...

...will follow...

...the Mori clan's instructions.

The Mori army beat their archrival, the Amago.

They triumphantly returned to Koriyama Castle, Yoshida.

Despite his illness, Motonari gallantly returned there, too.

KORIYAMA CASTLE (Aki)

Everyone.

It was a long battle.

Thanks for helping me.

With Gassan-Toda Castle now,

the Mori have blown up even bigger.

From now on,

we must try to manage our clan more carefully.

If we don't, we'll surely become a giant...

...that is destined to collapse by itself.

Therefore,

I'm thinking of...

...calling Akagawa Motoyasu back from Akama-ga-seki.

That's a great idea.

Nobody doubts him anymore.

Great Lord.

Actually,

I have a letter from him.

He asked me to keep it for a while...

...so that I can give it to you right now.

It's a farewell letter.

Don't tell me...

He slit his belly...?

"I respectfully announce that..."

"...I am going to join Takamoto-dono after finishing my last service."

"I, Motoyasu, discussed with Takamoto-dono every night..."

"...talking about our dream of ruling Japan together."

"My dream doesn't come true under the Great Lord, who chose not to go after rulership."

"However, I am satisfied now..."

"...because I lived a full life."

"Great Lord."

"You are free not to go after rulership,"

"but I want you to make the Mori grow stronger."

"In Eastern Japan,"

"there are numerous snakes and vipers now."

"Especially, I see Oda Nobunaga in Owari as..."

"...a man with unparalleled power."

"If you don't make the Mori grow stronger,"

"Aki Province will be stomped by those who are after rulership."

"Please understand Takamoto-dono and my wishes."

"And build a stronger, much stronger clan."

"I, Motoyasu, was happy..."

"...for having served for the Mori clan."

Akagawa, Kodama and Katsura.

I employed three of you on the same day.

I still remember.

We were all young.

One of the fires burnt out.

The remaining two...

...don't have energy of their youth.

But...

That's not bad.

The life of man has four seasons.

That's why it's interesting.

Lush green spring.

Red hot summer.

White and calm fall.

And winter?

What's the winter in man's life?

It can't be dyed in any color.

Those who lived well in spring, summer and fall...

...they can become gold, lazuline...

...or any color.

Not bad.

Akagawa-dono picked his favorite color...

...to put a marvelous end to his winter.

It's auspicious.

I found it.

This one.

This...

Tae.

I'm coming in.

Wh...

Wh... what...

...kind of mess is this?

Hey.

Even a dump yard is...

...cleaner than your room.

Perpetual youth and longevity...

...creates a real mess. I didn't know that.

Don't get weak-hearted.

Hey.

- Tae. - Yes?

They're all dead, you know?

Enemies and allies.

People who lived the same decades with me...

They are all gone.

Yuki-dono's clan, the Takahashi, went away.

I fought against the Takeda during my first battle.

They're gone, too.

Even the flamboyant Ouchi...

...vanished.

If the Amago disappears now,

all of them, who lived in the same period with me,

will go away.

I'll feel lonely...

...if I'm left all by myself.

I'm telling you not to get weak-hearted.

You're not alone.

You have me, you know?

Still, I'm lonely.

I...

...don't want to live to be 150.

Great Lord.

I don't think...

...you can really live to age 150.

I just want...

...you to die one day before me. Only one day.

That's why I'm trying to master the art of perpetual youth and longevity...

...and cure the illnesses you have now.

Hey.

Tae.

You know how I'm feeling, don't you?

Hey, Tae.

Come over here.

I wanted to make...

...a clan where I can have an ordinary life with my family and vassals.

I did my best for that.

Then, my clan got big like this.

Tae.

What an unfortunate man I am.

Most people would enjoy it.

No, I can't enjoy.

Terumoto is just bratty.

Can't you leave things to him?

I don't want to see...

...us losing something we already gained.

Then, you should hurry and die.

You don't have to see anything after you die.

Don't say such cold things.

I'm sick. How can you be like that?

Then, you should live forever.

Stay alive to see Terumoto-sama's children...

....grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Live for 1,000 and 2,000 years...

...to protect the Mori all by yourself.

Trust young people.

Young people are...

...much more capable than you think, Great Lord.

Get well soon and...

...regain strength to die only one day before me.

Got that?

Only one day before me.

If you die two or more days before me,

I won't forgive you.

- There! - Ouch!

It hurts, Great Lord.

To have a long, mundane and ordinary life,

Motonari kept shaking off the fire sparks falling over him.

After his long journey,

he became known across Japan as the most powerful daimyo lord in the Chugoku Region.

End of Episode 49