Original subtitles

I am Date Togoro Shigezane!

Where is the Ashina's commander-in-chief?

Masamune admired the fierce temper of his cousin, Shigezane...

...who was one year younger.

WOODEN STATUE OF DATE SHIGEZANE (Taiyuji Temple, Miyagi Prefecture)

This wooden statue of Shigezane shows his personality.

It has an ornament of a hairy caterpillar that never falls back.

Shigezane wrote these books called "Record of Shigezane".

They are important sources of information on Masamune.

Shiegezane was not only a fierce warrior but also a capable writer.

SHIGEZANE'S GRAVE (Taiyuji Temple)

You just rushed in headlong without any strategy?

What an impetuous warrior!

WOODEN STATUE OF KATAKURA KOJURO (Kotokuji Temple, Miyagi Prefecture)

Katakura Kojuro was a wise general who was promoted from Masamune's guardian...

...to become the chief of staff in charge of internal and diplomatic affairs.

"Ieyasu's Letter to Kojuro"

Even Tokugawa Ieyasu valued Masamune's brains, Kojuro.

He wrote Kojuro to give advise to Masamune.

KATAKURA FAMILY GRAVE (Shiraishi City)

KOJURO'S GRAVE

Shigezane was a skillful commander who could move soldiers at will.

Kojuro was a capable chief of staff who could formulate good strategy.

With these two men,

Masamune could aim at conquering the country.

MASAMUNE, THE ONE-EYED DRAGON

Episode 16: Enemies in the North and South

Screenplay: James MIKI

Original Story: YAMAOKA Sohachi

Music: IKEBE Shin'ichiro

CAST

Date Masamune: WATANABE Ken

Date Shigezane: MIURA Tomokazu

Katakura Kojuro: SAIGO Teruhiko

Kita: TAKESHITA Keiko

Princess Mego: SAKURADA Junko

Yanbe Kuniyori: OHWADA Shin'ya

Tsuta: OTONASHI Mikiko

Suzuki Shigenobu: HIRATA Mitsuru

Tose: GODAI Michiko

Neko-Gozen (Lady Cat): AKIYOSHI Kumiko

Mogami Yoshimitsu: HARADA Yoshio

Lady of the East: IWASHITA Shima

Subtitles: Koala Fansubs

QC: Kame Fansubs

Director: YOSHIMURA Yoshiyuki

Spring 1587 (Tensho 15)

Good boy.

He's getting heavy.

He doesn't even catch a cold.

You did a great job, Tsuta.

You deserve many rewards.

I already did.

Really? Which fief?

- A castle? - Sister.

Good boy.

Being a woman is no fun.

She had such a good boy,

but she just stays home and worrys about things.

You're wrong.

I'm happy.

Kojuro.

I heard you're going to Omori Castle tomorrow.

Yes. My vassals are waiting for me.

I brought you a present.

Oh, thanks.

You're the lord of a castle now.

You need a fine banner.

I designed and dyed this.

A hanging bell?

May the Katakura's fame reach throughout the country.

May it ring out like this hanging bell.

Thanks a lot.

Do you like it?

I'm really grateful for your thoughtfulness.

This is going to be my treasure.

That's good.

Well.

To ring the bell, you need a good wooden hammer.

Your loyalty to the Date clan. Don't forget that.

I already know that.

During the next battle,

I'll ring this bell as much as possible.

NIHONMATSU CASTLE

Listen, Tose.

As you know, this castle is the strongest fort in South Oshu.

Lord gave me this castle...

...because he trusts me so much.

Yes.

I must respond to his trust with my own life.

For the sake of the lord,

I'll be happy to die.

I'm scared.

Scared?

They say this castle has Hatakeyama Yoshitsugu's ghost.

Nonsense.

Recently, you often talk about dying.

That makes sense.

A samurai's honor is to die for his clan.

You can show your loyalty without dying.

During peacetime,

you can just cherish your vassals and your people.

That's another duty of castle owners.

I might not do good during peacetime.

Without battles, I feel being restless.

No wonder why you keep going out horse riding and hunting.

You don't stay still.

Are you lonely?

My parents in Watari are worried.

They think you are not interested in women.

They say he'll never have an heir.

That's outrageous.

That's not true.

- I'm interested! - Lord?

I'll teach a lesson to my father-in-law!

- Come. - Lord?

- Let's go! - Lord?

Let's go!

Neko (Cat)!

I heard you're pregnant.

Are you sure?

Just tell me.

Did you conceive?

What's funny?

Neko (Cat) gave birth to a koneko (kitten).

What?

I'm sorry.

I was just joking.

Fool.

I'm asking if you conceived.

Not yet.

Mego said you had a big belly.

I stuffed something under my belt.

Stuffed?

I see.

She was tricked.

Why did you do that?

Yes.

I wondered...

...how people in the castle would react to my pregnancy.

Impertinent girl!

- It was just for fun. - It wasn't funny!

She didn't mean it.

Forgive her.

- I won't. - Don't say that.

I'll make her kneel down to apologize you.

I don't really care.

When you heard she was pregnant,

how did you feel?

Well.

Didn't you feel you were in heaven?

Well, I didn't feel bad.

That's why I can't forgive her.

That girl played with your mind.

Why didn't you execute her right on the spot?

She doesn't understand what she did.

You need to set an example.

All right.

If she does it again, I will punish her.

I'm going to sleep.

I...

...want to know what you really think.

What I really think?

"Marrying a barren woman was the biggest mistake in my life."

- Aren't you regretting? - I'm not.

What am I staying here for?

If you send me back to Miharu, I'll go quietly.

- Nonsense. - Being pitied...

...criticized, and keep living in vain. That's pathetic.

Am I supposed to just get old and fall into decay like this?

Stop annoying me.

- Lord? - Shut up.

I'm the lord of a province with high ambitions.

I don't want to hear women's complaints.

Please forgive me.

I was wrong.

Let me go. I feel uncomfortable here.

Lord.

Fall 1587 (Tensho 15)

The Regent won't pay attention to us for a while.

How do you know?

He's having a lot of trouble controlling western Japan he just conquered.

Territory assignment, land survey, and the ban of Christinity...

He also ordered Lord So Ichiyo in Tsushima...

...to urge the king of Choseon (Korea) to visit him in Japan.

He's not satisfied with Kyushu?

I heard he'll eventually try to reach Choseon (Korea) and Ming China.

He seems to have a pretty tough skin.

Excuse me.

What is it?

Sir Ayugai Nikeeisai wants to see you on an urgent matter.

I am very sorry, sir.

What happened?

Sir Nikkeisai.

My son, Munenobu...

...betrayed you, sir.

What?

Last night, at Ayugai Castle,

he killed the observer, Hasebe Gennojo and his nephew.

He rose in rebellion against the Date.

Damn it!

The Ayugai clan had been subservient to the Date...

...since the time of Masamune's grandfather, Tanemune.

But Muneshige, who took over the clan after Nikkeisai's retirement,

married Mogami Yoshiaki's daughter.

He was on the Date's blacklist.

Deibansai.

Let's attack the Ayugai.

Slow down.

- Mogami Yoshiaki is behind them. - I know that!

Wait.

First, we should find out what's going on in Yamagata.

That's too late.

The Mogami will back them up.

We should beat them before the back-up force comes.

Lord.

The Ayugai might not be the only one.

Other clans might follow them.

- Send messengers to Shigezane and Kojuro... - Kuniyori.

- Prepare my horse. - Yes, sir.

- Sadatoki. - Yes.

- Appoint Tomizuka Oumi to the seneschal. - Yes, sir.

Sir Masamune.

Uncle, please prepare your troops and go to Mogami-zaka.

Let's go!

Haste makes waste!

"Better being rough and ready than slow and elaborate."

A fast and bold attack will contain the Mogami...

...and prevent others from betraying.

That's right.

Military glory depends on the right judgment on opportunities.

Excuse me.

Masamune's action was quick.

They didn't have enough time to build an army.

So they headed north in small groups of several cavaliers.

Ayugai Castle did not have time to prepare.

The castle town instantly became a sea of fire.

AYUGAI CASTLE

The castle fell in two hours.

The Mogami's reinforcement didn't come in time.

Ayugai Munenobu ran away nearly naked.

Masamune quelled the rebellion marvelously.

He summoned Morishige, lord of Kokubun neighboring the Ayugai.

A rumor says,

you've been in communication with Mogami Yoshiaki.

And, you were going to rise in arms after the Ayugai's revolt.

No way.

I don't have the slightest idea about this.

There's no smoke without fire.

Brother.

I, Morishige, am from the Date.

How can I draw a bow at the lord?

Your treacherous intention was leaked by one of your vassals.

Answer honestly.

As you know,

the Kokubun have hereditary vassals who aren't happy with the Date's judgment.

They probably want to sever their ties with you...

...and side with the Mogami when they have a chance.

Why do you leave them alone?

You're too lenient.

If I punish them carelessly, my clan will have internal riots.

I don't want to throw fuel on a fire.

How pathetic.

You shouldn't be weak-kneed like that.

Why did I send you there as the lord?

Think it over again!

I would like to explain one thing.

The Kokubun's discontent heightened, because...

...you said you were going to send Sir Jikumaru to the Ashina.

The late Lord Terumune left a written pledge...

...about sending Sir Jikumaru to the Kokubun.

That's what my father promised.

I have nothing to do with it.

Old vassals of the Kokubun don't agree.

Fool.

If you were popular, everything would have been settled peacefully.

I'll be damned.

I just got the short end of the stick.

I understand.

I, Masamune, will use military force to destroy the Kokubun.

- Tsunamoto. - Yes.

Send a letter to Izumida Shigemitsu.

Tell him to advance his forces to Kokubun.

Certainly.

- Wait. - The hell with you.

Go back to Kokubun and slit your belly...

...or stand in battle against us. Do whatever you want.

- How merciless. - Shut up!!

You forget your incompetence and have an unjust resentment.

Outrageous!

For God's sake,

please give me a little more time.

I'm going back to Kokubun right away...

...and bring the betrayer's heads here.

I'll rack my brain to stabilize my fief.

Please forgive us this time!

Lord.

You must understand his sufferings.

It's not easy to govern another clan's fief.

But being shakey around the Mogami would risk the Date's authority.

I'm fully aware of that.

- Sir Morishige. - Yes, sir!

Can you settle everything by the end of this year?

Until the bells on New Year's Eve?

Can you?

Even if it risks my own life,

I'll do it without fault.

If you fail,

I'll execute you and slice you up.

You're my uncle, but I have no mercy on this.

Remember that.

The Ayugai's rebellion was unexpected.

It's regrettable that I couldn't catch Munenobu.

I'll slit my belly to apologize you.

Don't jump the gun, Nikkeisai.

Lord is thankful for your loyalty.

I don't deserve it.

- You have another son, right? - Yes, sir.

He's called Choshichiro Munemasu.

Have Munemasu take over the Ayugai.

What did you say, sir?

He can not only take over the clan...

...but also take the seat of honor in the clan.

You do me too much honor.

Sir Nikkeisai.

Pull yourself together.

Are you going to attack the Mogami?

It's up to Sir Yoshiaki's answer.

If I leave him alone like this, I cannot have my own way.

What silly nonsense.

Your uncle sends you fine letters from time to time.

He's concerned about your future.

He's just pretending.

In fact, he's spying on the Date.

How pathetic.

I didn't know you were that twisted.

I'm surprised.

My father had a tragic death...

...because he was too trusting.

He believed what Nihonmatsu people said.

He was off his guard.

I don't want to follow his footsteps.

I can't ignore your words.

Do you group your uncle together with Hatakeyama Yoshitsugu?

That was just an example.

Then, I'll go and see your uncle to ask his true intentions.

What if...

...he's innocent? What are you going to do?

He's fierce. There will be consequences.

He might want to attack the Date. It'll be like waking a sleeping dog then.

I'm looking forward to it.

The Ayugai's rebellion and the Kokubun's infighting...

...must have both been schemed by Sir Yoshiaki!

- That's all wrong! - Mother.

You now have full control over Sendosuji,

but how can you dare battle against the Mogami?

You'll be destroyed instantly.

Instead, you should partner with him...

...so that the Mogami controls the north while the Date controls the south.

That's more than auspicious.

The Mogami broke that promise.

Is that what you believe?

I want...

...you to leave everything to me.

Then, suit yourself.

Remember.

Attacking the Mogami...

...means attacking your mother's clan.

- That's not what it is. - That's what it is!

If you insist...

...kill your mother before going to battle.

Hot...!

He doesn't know his place.

He just wants to cause trouble.

What's going to happen to the Date's future?

Please do not lament.

If he wins, his territory expands.

- Shut your mouth. - Yes?

Masamune said he's going to attack the Mogami.

Huh?

Your parents and siblings must be in Yamagata.

Yes, they're there.

Do you want them all to be killed?

No, I don't!

What should I do?

Um...

Well...

How about getting more concubines for him?

- Concubines? - Yes.

If he has a baby, he'll have an even temper.

Don't say such a silly thing.

Mego is distressed by only one 'cat.'

She's falling out with Masamune.

I don't want any more trouble.

You have a point.

Masamune called Shigezane and Kojuro over...

...to discuss how to deal with the Mogami.

Izumida Shigemitsu, lord of Izumida Castle, joined the meeting, too.

He was a valorous general in the Date's northern territory.

With all due respect,

if you go against Lady of the East's resentment,

that will cause a serious problem in the future.

Do you want to let the Mogami do as they please?

You can't help it.

First of all,

it's better not to have battles in the north and south at the same time.

You should ignore the Mogami...

...and focus only on the Ashina.

I can't stand it!

Yeah! That ruins the Date's reputation!

Why don't you send a messenger to Yamagata...

...and give them a strict warning?

That won't scare Yoshiaki at all.

At least, I need do scare him...

...so much that he gets petrified with terror.

Then,

why don't you send your troops to Osaki?

To Osaki?

The Mogami's head family is located there.

- Sir Yoshiaki's wife is from Osaki. - I see.

As you know, the Osaki fief has infighting.

Ujiie Danjo at Iwatezawa Castle is asking us to send reinforcement.

If you take this chance and quell everything at once,

you can take the Mogami down.

Interesting.

But what will Lady of the East think?

I don't care.

- Get ready secretly. - Certainly.

Slow down, Shigezane.

You and Kojuro must guard the south to prepare for the Ashina.

Lord.

To attack Osaki, I'm sending troops from Okusuji and Naka-Okusuji.

Certainly, sir.

Got it, Sir Masakage?

January 1588 (Tensho 16) - Next year,

Masamune ordered the Date, Katta, Shibata and Igu to go to battle to Osaki.

What?

The Date forces are heading for Osaki?

Yes, they're about 12,000-strong.

It's led by Rusu Masakage, lord of Takamori Castle...

...and Izumida Shigemitsu, lord of Iwanuma Castle.

Hamada Kagetaka is the acting commander-in-chief.

Is the Date's brat out of it?

- You should send reinforcement now. - Forget it.

Yes?

What can you do with so much snow?

Just wait and see for a while.

- It will teach Osaki a good lesson. - But...

Keep your head, Noto.

Masamune must know about the Regent's Peace Edict.

He's staying home because he's not really going to fight.

In 1587 (Tensho 15),

Hideyoshi banned daimyo lords in the Kanto and Ou regions from having any battles.

That's called the "Regent's Peace Edict for the Kanto and Ou Regions".

Yoshiyasu, it's your turn.

- It's your turn, Father. - Oh, yeah?

OK.

What's this battle for?

Are you trying to get on the Mogami's nerves?

That's not it.

It's to quell the infighting in Osaki.

What does that have to do with the Date?

If the infighting spreads,

their borders will be in danger with these endless conflicts.

You didn't have to send a great army.

"Knowing what is right and not doing is a want of courage."

Ujiie Danjo is a rebellious subject who opposes his master.

His master, Yoshitaka, doesn't even deserve to be a samurai. He's an idiot.

You're another idiot.

Mother?

A real general knows when and where to fight.

If you unnecessarily rise in arm and threaten neighboring provinces,

you'll be hated and destroyed by all of them.

If you aren't an idiot, what are you?

Please stop butting in.

I considered and decided to do it.

You considered? Ridiculous.

I'm surprised to hear that.

You told me not to sever ties with the Mogami.

At your suggestion, I endured this to my limit.

If you criticize my campaign to Osaki,

I'll lose my position as the clan's head.

Do you think the Mogami will be happy with your attack on Osaki?

Why do you harass them?

Harass them? How surprising.

I had no choice but to send troops, based on a samurai's cause.

You're driving your uncle crazy now.

To avoid that,

I didn't go to battle.

I want to know your true feeling.

Yes?

You're crabbed and twisted.

You've been like that since you were small.

You intentionally do things that I don't like.

I'm still regretting.

I should have raised you.

Why do you always do annoying things?

Do you hate your mother that much?

You're the one who hates me.

What are you saying?

When I was small, you pushed me away because you hated how I look.

After I grew up, you hated my twisted personality.

You were against me succeeding the clan.

- That's not true! - I can't blame you.

It's natural for you to love Jikumaru because you raised him.

He's smart and handsome.

You're reading me wrong.

Every mother loves her own child.

If the child has facial injuries, she would love him more.

Let me ask something.

If you love your own child,

why are you siding with Mogami Yoshiaki?

I'm not siding with him.

- I'm just trying to help you. - That's not it.

You always care about your clan.

You care about them more than the Date.

Masamune!

- Don't you understand my intentions? - I don't!

When I was on the verge of life and death because of smallpox,

you were in Yamagata!

Who told you?

No one.

All the hereditary vassals know that.

I see.

That's why you...

Excuse me.

Masamune.

I don't hate you.

Just let me say this.

I've...

...always loved you.

Brother.

Thank you for the fine hawk.

- Do you like it? - Yes.

What's the matter?

Mother?

Jikumaru!

Kurokawa Gesshusai betrayed the Date.

He showed us the direction to Osaki.

- Our gimmick is working. - Yes, sir.

You can't reach Iwatsuna without cutting through the Kurokawa fief.

Ujiie Danjo will be isolated.

The Date force switched their target.

They're heading for Niinuma Castle.

What a bunch of idiots.

They'll be cornered rats.

Shall we send reinforcement to Osaki now?

Not yet. Too early.

Kurokawa Gesshu changed sides. That's your fault.

Gesshu hates me...

...because I took his fiancee.

- You're making me happy. - Why happy?

You gave up on the Kurokawa fief for only one cat.

That's a big loss.

Oh, I hate you.

Hey.

Please excuse me, sir.

It's Tsunamoto.

What is it?

We are in trouble.

Go ahead.

Yes, sir.

Sir Hamada Kagetaka's messenger just arrived.

The battle in Osaki isn't going well for us.

We're in a pinch now.

What's going on?

The enemy's momentum is formidable.

Our combat magistrate, Sir Oyamada Chikuzen, was killed.

What?

Hundreds of men were beheaded, too.

Sir Rusu Masakage's troops are taking fight.

They just managed to withdraw to Matsuyama Castle.

What's Shigemitsu doing?

Sir Izumida's troops are headed for Naka-Niida Castle.

But they're missing now.

- Naka-Niida...? - Yes.

The heavy snowfall will make them have a tough battle.

Who told them to attack Naka-Niida?

They're unpardonable.

NIINUMA CASTLE The 5,000-strong army...

...led by Izumida Shigemitsu could not move. They fled into Niinuma Castle.

Being sieged by the Osaki army, they were totally isolated.

Poor Shigemitsu.

With 5,000 soldiers, he'll run out of food soon.

They'll die of hunger one after another.

Before that, they'll be frozen to death.

Leave them alone, and they will all die.

Noto.

- Send secret letters to the Soma and Ashina. - Yes, sir.

Tell them about the Date force's defeat.

Certainly, sir.

We're finally sending troops now.

Rusu Masakage at Matsuyama Castle...

Ujiie Danjo at Iwatezawa...

I'll kill them to put Masamune under the gun.

Even a single ant cannot sneak out of Niinuma Castle.

The odds against us might lead Ujiie Danjo to betray us.

Lord. You must send reinforcement as soon as possible.

I'm fully aware of that!

- Kuniyori. - Yes, sir.

Issue an order to go to battle!

Certainly!

I'll have Tsunamoto lead the reinforcement army.

I'm honored, sir.

Don't let Shigemitsu die in vain.

Right you are.

- Sadatoki! - Yes, sir!

Send letters to Shigezane and Kojuro to let them know about this...

"Be on full alert on our borders against..."

"...the Ashina, Soma and Tamura."

Certainly, sir!

Sir, please...

...send me to Sir Kasai Harunobu.

- To Kasai? - Yes.

To rescue Izumida Shigemitsu,

we need Sir Kasai to scare the Osaki from behind.

That makes sense.

Get ready now!

500 from Date County.

300 from Katta County.

300 from Shibata County and 400 from Ibu County.

1,500 in total.

How much provision do we need?

- Provision? - Just give us a rough number.

A horse needs 1 sho of soy beans per day.

And 3 jo of rice bran.

A solder needs 1 sho of rice per day.

It's like this.

That's a lot.

I can't reduce this by even a grain of rice.

Fool. This is not business.

MATSUYAMA CASTLE Masamune sent reinforcement to...

...Matsuyama Castle in Shina County to join Rusu Masakage's army.

But they were stuck because of the snowfall.

Thanks.

Masamune started becoming restless.

Thanks.

Are you going to battle tomorrow?

Yeah.

I heard it's so cold in Osaki.

But...

...I can't just stay here.

Please...

...take care of your health.

Mego.

Yes?

This might put my mother in an even worse mood.

She might be hard on you, but don't go against her.

Understood?

Yes, certainly.

NIHONMATSU CASTLE For heaven's sake!

The 5,000-strong army is just stuck?

Winter battles put shackles on your hands and feet.

Even a valorous general cannot do his best.

I can't stand it.

I'm leaving for Osaki with my army tomorrow.

Then, our guard in south will be weaker.

Those guys in north are lenient.

If we leave it to them, our clan will go demise.

Another battle is coming?

What's with that look on your face?

If we keep losing, Watari will be affected, too.

Lord, this is Umanosuke.

What is it?

Sendosuji is blazing up.

What?

Adachi County and Nawashiro Valley...

...seem to have been attacked by the Ashina force led by Ouchi Sadatsuna.

Ouchi Sadatsuna?

That's right, sir.

He's been asking your permission to subjugate himself to the Date.

Now he's fighting against Sir Shigezane's army!

He probably heard about our defeat in the Osaki fief.

Damn it!

His campaign to Osaki was a total failure.

Like chain reactions, Ouchi Sadatsuna rose in arms.

Masamune is now facing danger from both north and south.

Father...

End of Episode Sixteen

Historical Information Provided by: Town of Watari, Miyagi Prefectural Library, Taiyuji Temple, Kotokuji Temple, Sendai City Museum