Original subtitles

In 1576, 42 year old Oda Nobunaga built Azuchi Castle.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was 40 years old,

and distinguished himself as Nobunaga's faithful follower.

Tokugawa Ieyasu was 35.

He had allied himself with Nobunaga, and was growing more powerful.

At this time, Bontenmaru was yet a child.

The age difference was a handicap to Masamune,

who would later be subordinate to the three great men.

The ages of Hideyoshi, Ieyasu, and Masamune...

are similar to that of baseball's Nagashima, Oh...

and the brilliant young Kiyohara.

When Nagashima and Oh were at their peak,

Kiyohara was still in elementary school.

Masamune who had dreams of absolute power...

would later wish that he had been born 20 years earlier.

MASAMUNE, THE ONE-EYED DRAGON

Episode 4: Rites of Manhood

Screenplay: James MIKI

Original Story: YAMAOKA Sohachi

Music: IKEBE Shin'ichiro

CAST

Date Terumune: KITAOJI Kin'ya

Katakura Kojuro: SAIGO Teruhiko

Kita: TAKESHITA Keiko

Oniniwa Sagetsu: IKARIYA Chosuke

Date Harumune: KANEKO Nobuo

Date Sanemoto: RYU Raita

Endo Motonobu: KOUYAMA Shigeru

Mukaidate Takumi: YAMAGATA Isao

Kosai Soitsu: OTAKI Hideji

Princess Yoshi: IWASHITA Shima

Subtitles Transcribed from JN Productions by: Avallac'h

Subtitles Editing/Timing: Koala Fansubs QC by: Kame Fansubs

Director: YOSHIMURA Yoshiyuki

Well, Bontenmaru?

Yes.

Come closer. This is your brother.

Why do you hesitate?

Look, Bontenmaru. His mouth is exactly like yours.

Yoshi, well done.

I thank you.

I am not worthy.

My lord, today is the 7th day celebration.

I've chosen "Jikumaru" for his name.

Jikumaru?

"Jiku" is the character in China-India.

I think it's a fine name.

Jikumaru...

Jikumaru...

Motonobu and Sagetsu were quite impressed.

They're trying to find a good wetnurse.

I don't need a wetnurse.

Jikumaru is the second son.

I wish to nurse him by myself.

Yoshi...

Please, please.

Jikumaru...

Jikumaru...

Young Lord!

Tsunamoto!

Yes.

Bring Haguro!

Haguro?

It's the black falcon I used at Mt. Idate.

It's gone.

Dead?

We don't know. It was lost during the last hunting trip.

Find it.

I'm afraid...

Find it!

Yes!

Young Lord...

A leader must show compassion to his men.

It's unreasonable to demand that they find a lost falcon.

Abbot Kosai makes unreasonable demands of me!

It's Zen training. To discipline you.

I'm disciplining my retainers, too.

In May, the Date and Soma clashed again at Higashine.

And in August, the fighting began in earnest in Igu County.

Lord Moritane of the Soma was Terumune's cousin.

They were bitter enemies due to a dispute over territory,

which began after their grandfather Tanemune died.

From Watari Shigemune to Date Sanemoto,

the Date had the strength of 16 armies.

The Soma, known for their daring and valor,

pitted their full force in the battle.

JANUARY 1577

The year ended with no victory for either side.

Terumune had to spend New Year's in an encampment.

Brother...

Masakage? What's up?

The enemy have sent a greenhorn leader.

Greenhorn?

Yoshitane.

He's the great-grandchild of Date Tanemune.

They think we dare not fight him...

lest we be disloyal and risk divine punishment.

Ridiculous.

But the enemy's spirits are high. Our morale might decline.

Just send our gunners to shoot them.

Sir Terumune. How old is Bontenmaru?

Eleven.

How about sending for him...

and have him do as Yoshitane did?

Good! Morale will increase a hundredfold!

Fool!

How dare you! It was Lord Terumune's idea!

I refuse!

All will be wasted, if I let him go now!

Dirty bonze...!

It's unseemly, Sir Sagetsu!

I was asked to produce a leader with compassion!

...Not a fighting dog!

A fighting dog?

You can't use a boy for a tool of war!

Has the lord of the Date gone crazy?!

You dare...!

Abbot Kosai is right! Please leave!

Not you, too?

Prince Bontenmaru is still in training.

Would you cut down a budding tree?!

Listen well! Anyone who disobeys our lord is executed!

Fine!

Just don't burn me at the stake.

I don't like the heat.

Silence!

Abbot Kosai is wise. It makes sense.

I'm afraid I overstepped my bounds.

I'm deeply ashamed. We nearly walked into their trap.

However, we must hasten his manhood rites.

This will be a long war.

If anything happens to me, you must lend Bontenmaru your support.

Do not say such things.

You seem to be tired.

We'll take care of things here.

Go to Yonezawa Castle and rest awhile.

A general can't leave his army.

You said the battle would be long.

Bontenmaru and Jikumaru have grown. Go see them.

Do that, Brother.

Go ta-ta's.

It's Terumune!

Welcome home.

Are you well?

I pray for your victory night and day.

Thank you. I read your letters many times.

Jikumaru!

Nice to see you! Come here.

Here you are, Sire.

He's so heavy.

Peek-a-boo.

My Lord...

About Bontenmaru's manhood rites...

Too early?

The responsibility is great.

Don't worry.

Bontenmaru's growth has been remarkable.

He knows the Nine Chinese Classics and enjoys poetry.

Kojuro says Bontenmaru has a boundless talent.

Then why not let him become a priest?

A priest?

He is retiring and timid.

He lacks the strength to lead the Date.

Rather than be what does not suit him,

I think he should complete his training under Abbot Kosai...

and become a great priest...

who will teach the Buddha's teachings.

Are you in your right mind?

What will the Date do without a successor?

You have Jikumaru.

What?

Have you noticed his masterful brows?

He is big-boned and never catches cold.

I'll make him the finest lord in the land.

You love Jikumaru more than Bontenmaru?

Of course not.

They are both my sons.

Because I love them equally,

I want what suits each best.

I won't hear of it again.

It's for the sake of the Date!

Bontenmaru is my successor.

Jikumaru will go to the Kokubun.

The Kokubun?

What do you mean?

My Lord?!

Stop it!

As you know,

my brother Morishige married into their family,

but the hereditary vassals will not obey him.

So Morishige will be demoted to governor and the Kokubun will adopt Jikumaru.

What a heartless thing to do!

Never call it "heartless."

Jikumaru will be lord of Sendai Castle.

Please reconsider!

I cannot lose Jikumaru, too!

It is more than I can bear!

It won't be right away!

My Lord!

My Lord!

November 15, 1577

Bontenmaru's manhood rites were to be held on November 15, 1577.

However, the Date were still at war with the Soma.

Terumune had to return from his camp in Igu County.

Pardon!

Stay still, Sagetsu!

Your restlessness makes us feel even more depressed.

I'm sorry.

Tsunamoto, has Lord Terumune arrived yet?

There is no sign of him, sir.

Sadatoki, send someone to meet him.

Tell him everything is ready here.

Understood.

How can Endo Motonobu allow him to be late?

He hasn't forgotten, I hope?

I hope the Soma haven't attacked him.

My lords...

This is a happy day, indeed.

Have you made a sacred fire?

Yes, and it promises great good fortune.

Saint Dainichi Nyorai appeared in the flames.

At last good fortune has come to the Date.

Happy day!

It's too soon.

Who's playing?

Lord Bontenmaru's guardian, Katakura Kojuro.

The page who cut out Bontenmaru's right eye?

Yes, sir.

Low in rank, but most capable.

He plays to relieve Bontenmaru's boredom.

How considerate.

Bontenmaru.

The ceremonial robes are very becoming.

You look like a courtier.

Are you prepared?

From today, you will be an adult.

Yes.

On this occasion, I give you these prayer beads.

Thank you, Mother.

I feel sorry for you.

Do you truly wish to be a samurai?

I am a samurai's son.

Can you be strong, like your father?

Yes!

Never bring disgrace upon Saint Mankai's name.

Yes!

Even a warlord's son must suffer pain and loneliness.

If you miss me, look at these prayer beads.

And think of me.

Excuse me. Lord Terumune has returned.

Did you hear?

Yes.

Kojuro, I entrust Bontenmaru in your care.

Certainly, Ma'am.

Noinoske and Kita, also.

Certainly, Ma'am.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

We were nearly ready to leave.

Where's Bontenmaru?

He is coming now, Sire!

Light the room!

Did you get lost, Motonobu?

We took the long way to avoid the Soma.

Where's Masakage?

Your brother remained at Kosai Castle as commander.

A pity.

Where is my father?

An envoy came from Suginome Castle.

Envoy?

He brought gifts of congratulations.

Father isn't coming?

Yes.

My brother is very ill in bed.

He deeply regrets not being able to attend.

Since the sun has set, why not postpone the ceremony...

until your father recovers?

No!

If I spoil my successor's start in life, I'll suffer eternal shame.

The Young Lord has arrived!

Bontenmaru.

Come forward, before me.

I am deeply grateful to be accorded...

my rites of manhood, as is our custom.

Well said. I commend you.

Pardon!

You are no longer Bontenmaru.

You are Date Tojiro Masamune.

Tojiro... Masamune.

Masamune...

Masamune.

Tojiro Masamune.

That's right. In 16 generations of the Date family,

the 9th lord, Masamune, was known as the Restorer.

A valiant warrior and great statesman.

Bontenmaru shall be named after him.

Most auspicious!

Congratulations.

SUGINOME CASTLE

A few days later, Terumune took Masamune to Suginome Castle.

It was his father Harumune's castle.

Mother...

Tojiro writes Chinese poetry and is uncommonly skilled at linked verse.

How wonderful.

Even Abbot Kosai has great hopes for him.

Fortune upon good fortune.

Terumune...

Are you awake, Father?

What happened with the Soma?

There is still no victor.

We anticipate minor skirmishes.

Remember Terumune, do not overdo it.

Think of your retainers.

Attack when you must; join hands when necessary.

Never let our Date line die.

I will remember.

Let me remind you the Date are rulers of Oshu.

Bring the daimyo together.

Whether you face Oda Nobunaga or Uesugi Kenshin,

it is vital not to engage in needless war.

I understand.

Let this be my last will.

Sanemoto, Munefuyu, mark it well.

As Terumune's advisors, never forget it.

Father...

Terumune, I must apologize to you.

I fought my father, creating internal turmoil.

After retiring, I relied on traitor Nakano Munetoki,

and nearly warred against you.

It is past.

Fighting your own son is a shameful thing.

It divides the retainers and invites self-destruction.

Be good to Bontenmaru.

I swear, by the gods.

Bontenmaru...

I am Tojiro Masamune.

Masamune.

Be good to your parents.

Yes.

Father...

Forgive me.

I was a bad son to you.

Only 20 days after Bontenmaru became a man...

Harumune died.

He was 59.

Henceforth, I shall treat you as an adult.

The lessons will be difficult.

I understand.

What do you understand?

You must not agree so easily!

Be more obstinate.

Obstinate?

Does it hurt?

Then say it doesn't hurt.

It doesn't hurt!

If it doesn't, say it hurts!

It hurts!

Do you hate me?

No!

Good.

Laugh when you want to cry.

When it's hot, say it's cold ...and vice versa.

This is the secret of obstinacy.

Kita! What are you doing?

Shoes...

Not necessary! Remove them!

Yes. But...

His mother made them for him.

His mother?!

Lest he hurt himself in the fields.

He was born with shoes!

Shoes that get stronger with use!

Shoes he cannot remove!

I know! These shoes!

Right!

How careless women are!

They forget what their sons were born with!

I wish I had shoes that never got dirty.

What?

Then I wouldn't have to wash them!

Don't step on the plants!

Always ready with an answer...!

In 1578, neighboring lord Tamura Kiyoaki...

sent head retainer Mukaidate Takumi to Yonezawa Castle.

Marriage?

I heard Prince Bontenmaru had his manhood rites last year.

Yes.

I understand he is gifted in martial arts and scholarship.

His ability is known throughout the Tohoku.

Is that true?

You should be proud.

Who is the intended bride?

In all Oshu, there can be no bride for your heir...

other than the princess of Miharu Castle.

Are you referring to Lord Kiyoaki's daughter?

That is correct.

The beauty and dignity of the princess are unequalled in the land!

She is accomplished in poetry and playing the koto.

And she has learned the art of incense and the way of tea.

What impresses me is that...

she has never exhibited displeasure before others.

How old is she?

Ten years old this year.

I have heard...

that Lord Kiyoaki has no children but the princess.

I hope you won't make our young lord an adopted groom?

Hardly.

Then you want the second son for bridegroom?

Isn't he just an infant?

Thank you for the fine gift.

Never mind that.

I am offering the daughter of the Tamura clan...

to Prince Bontenmaru as his bride.

This is most strange.

Strange?

If you let your princess go, what will become of your clan?

That is the question.

May we clear the room?

No one is here.

I am chief guardian to the young lord.

Very well, then...

Please go ahead.

After the marriage takes place,

and an heir is born to them,

I would like to ask that the second or third son...

be given to the Tamura.

Give a daughter for a grandson?

Our lord wishes to entrust the fate of the Tamura to the Date...

Please convey our wishes to your lord.

A futile endeavor.

What?

We cannot guarantee the future.

Do you mean to shame Lord Kiyoaki?

Do not argue!

How dare you!

After prostrating myself before you,

I cannot withdraw!

Marriage, already?

The girl's father made the offer.

How shameful.

Put yourself in their place.

They must be anxious for an heir.

Please refuse them.

Why?

It's presumptuous to take a newborn child.

He'll be the lord of Miharu Castle.

They'll be loyal to the Date.

The Tamura domain is small. They won't help Bontenmaru much.

He must have a bride from a bigger clan.

Such as?

The Mogami or the Osaki.

Mogami's daughter married into the Nobizawa.

Let's wait until the next daughter is born.

Tojiro is only twelve. There is no need to hurry.

Commit hara-kiri?

Yes.

If the marriage offer is refused,

he says he'll kill himself in apology to his lord.

We needn't do it just to save his face!

He also said...

the Tamura would cut their ties with the Date.

Is he trying to threaten us?

Just the opposite.

The Tamura are in desperate need of our help.

The Nikaido, Yuki, and Ouchi want their territory.

The Ashina, Satake, and Ishikawa are also waiting.

The Tamura cannot wait until war breaks out.

An alliance with us will hold the enemy off.

That's their scheme!

Allying ourselves with the Tamura...

will make enemies of the Ashima and Satake.

We will be justified in defeating them!

We must defeat the Soma first.

If we join the Tamura, we can surround the Soma.

Indeed.

Not necessarily.

The princess' mother was a Soma.

My word.

Keep your legs in! Back straight!

Back straight!

My Lord!

Young Lord!

Young Lord!

Young Lord!

There is no need for an immediate reply.

We should ascertain Kiyoaki's true motives.

I see everyone has voiced his opinion.

Your decision, Sire?

I have decided.

We shall accept Tamura's daughter.

Brother...

In order to rule Oshu, we must fight Ashina and Satake someday.

The castle in Tamura is in a strategic position.

Their retainers are divided between Date supporters and Soma supporters.

After Lord Kiyoaki dies, anything can happen.

His daughter will be our hostage.

Hostage?

As my wife was. A bride is also a hostage.

I'm impressed.

Send a messenger to the Tamura.

Tell them we'll be happy to accept his daughter.

Yes, sir.

Reporting!

What is it?

Lord Bontenmaru fell from his horse.

He fell?!

He remains unconscious.

What happened, Tojiro?

Nothing serious.

Is he conscious?

Still groggy.

Is he hurt?

A few scratches.

Forgive me!

Fool!

You're supposed to be his guardian!

Stop, Sagetsu!

Don't move.

It wasn't Kojuro's fault.

The horse was bad.

I'm the one who fell.

Don't get excited, Sagetsu.

Riders often fall. You did, too.

I decided on a bride for you, Tojiro.

She is Princess Mego, the only daughter of Tamura Kiyoaki.

"Mego" is the character for "lovable."

She is only ten years old, but the prettiest in the land.

Did you send the messenger?

No...

Fool! What are you waiting for?!

How unreasonable of him.

Lord Terumune should know how you feel, My Lady.

Enough. I've given Tojiro up.

How pitiful!

But I'll never let Jikumaru go.

I will never let him go.

Jiku...

Young Lord, congratulations.

The princess is a maiden of rare quality.

Even in the capital of Kyoto, people would be in awe of her.

Kita.

Does the princess know about my eye?

End of Episode Four

Historical Information Provided by: Kodaiji Temple, Toshogu Museum of Art