Original subtitles

"Date-mono."

Some say this word comes...

from Masamune's extraordinary life.

We have found several origins of this word.

One is "tateru," to do things in big ways.

Another is "hade" or "showy."

Another origin is the name "Date Masamune" itself.

Though there are many theories,

the word "date" had been in use before Masamune's time.

But today, "date" is synonymous with "Masamune."

Date Maki... Undersash or egg roll

Date no Usugi Dandy in light dress

The black armor, death-garb, and golden cross.

Such episodes in Masamune's life...

created the image of today's "date mono."

MASAMUNE, THE ONE-EYED DRAGON

Episode 28: Matching Wits

After skillfully dodging the charge of treason,

Masamune made a grand entrance into Kyoto in 1591,

and admiring crowds welcomed the prince of Oshu.

The lords of the west sent countless girls,

and the fame of Masamune grew with each passing day.

My Lord Regent...

My sincerest thanks for the most luxurious mansion.

Jurakutei here is also an exceptional structure.

3,000 craftsmen were employed.

Only the finest materials were used.

Thank you!

Not only are you a great warrior and scholar,

you are also accomplished in the arts.

Gentlemen of Kyoto will throng to your gates.

That's fine.

I suppose you'll be staying awhile in Kyoto.

I am concerned about my lands.

Since there is public unrest, I wish to return to Yoshiwara,

and restore peace to my subjects.

There's no need.

The riots have been quelled. Relax in Kyoto.

I am concerned about the Sendo boundaries.

The Sendo?

Nihonmatsu, Shionomatsu, Tamura, and Shirakawa.

Gamo and Date boundaries have yet to be defined.

Unforeseen problems might arise.

There's trouble between you and Ujisato?

Indeed not!

Unless the borders are set, taxes cannot be collected.

Don't worry!

Ieyasu and I, Hidetsugu, shall see to the Sendo.

I'll be counting on your help.

Masamune...

Rikyu praised you.

Despite your youth, you understand the soul of tea.

I'm only a novice.

He wants to have you serve tea to the nobles.

I'm flattered.

You should be introduced to the Court.

It's difficult to obtain an audience.

You must have rank.

I'll get you a rank...

befitting the greatest lord of Oshu.

I'm most honored!

Don't leave this place until I send word.

Yes, Sire.

Regent.

What happened to Rikyu's Hashidate Jar?

Has he relinquished it to you?

No. Rikyu is still keeping it at Jukoin.

The priest has orders to give it to no one but Rikyu.

Swell-headed, isn't he?

I could easily take it from him.

But it wouldn't be the refined thing to do.

I'm looking forward to his surrender.

My lord!

My lord! A calamity!

What's wrong?

- Kikumaru is gone. - What?

I had the entire palace searched.

Did you look under the porch?

Yes. He must have been kidnapped.

Don't exaggerate.

It's not funny!

Chacha, calm down.

Mitsunari.

I'll post signs throughout the city and inform all guard stations.

That's good.

That's Date Masamune, the man you wanted to meet.

I'm Chacha.

I'm honored to meet you.

Go, Mitsunari.

Yes.

Who is sir Kikumaru?

He's a calico cat.

That's a dragon.

Go look at him.

See him?

Later that month, Masamune was received at the Imperial Court...

and named Lord-in-Waiting at the 5th rank.

Splendid.

A feast for the senses.

That's true.

Poor country fare.

No, indeed.

You honor me with you praise Sir Oribe.

Stop saying you're a country bumpkin.

You're a noble now.

I owe it to you Master Rikyu.

No. The regent is very fond of you.

The regent is a man of whims.

Who knows how his temper will change?

You know him well.

One moment he'll coddle you and reject you the next.

He'll gently call you to him and cut off your head.

A ruler can do whatever he wishes.

But Rikyu will not head for the Regent.

Thus far.

The regent wanted the Hashidate Jar very badly.

I understand it's quite famous.

"Tell me, o Ama no Hashidate."

The regent is unsurpassed in the art of elegance.

It's a god-given talent.

But he knows not the soul of tea.

I don't want to lose the jar to him.

Yes. That's what you said about Ms. Ogin.

Who is Ogin?

Master Rikyu's daughter.

She was ordered to become the regent's concubine.

What happened?

Ms. Ogin killed himself.

How beautiful... It's from Europe.

Rikyu often visits Masamune.

They seems very close.

I envy him.

The most popular man in Kyoto is Rikyu's student.

My Lord...

I want to be served tea by Lord Date.

May I?

Yes.

Under you protection, Rikyu behaves shamelessly. It's too much!

Mitsunari...

The "tsubo."

- The jar? - This is the one I wanted.

More pressure on that "tsubo" [spot].

Mitsunari, look.

I'll get you the Hashidate Jar, Sire.

My Lord.

Look, My Lord!

Shortly thereafter, Hideyoshi banished Rikyu to Sakai.

The charge was abusing his authority to sell tea-things for personal gain.

TOKUGAWA IEYASU'S MANSION

Come here.

It's a false charge!

Master Rikyu would never do anything dishonest.

That's not all.

His statue is carved upon the gate at Daitoku Temple.

Under which the regent must pass.

If that's the case,

the regent can't enter the Orchid Room, either.

He'll say the wooden turtle and crane kicked his head!

Good point.

Besides, Rikyu's statue was carved two years ago!

It's just an excuse!

Still, we must obey.

Sir Ieyasu!

Do you want to go to Shikoku or Kyushu?

What?

If you take Rikyu's side, you'll anger the regent.

Then you'll be banished.

Do you want that?

Rikyu was brought back to Kyoto,

but his house was surrounded by 3,000 troops.

Two days later, he was ordered to commit seppuku.

We are lashed by a spring storm.

Master, I, as your student, Maita, will assist you.

Thank you.

Have you a final request?

No...

...not now that I've had my tea.

Thank you.

Please tell me...

What is that magnificent teacup called?

I call it "Kamuro."

I cherish it dearly.

Please make ready.

Very well.

Who are you?!

I'm Rikyu's student!

I must retrieve his head and give him a decent burial.

Let go!

Many will come to see his head on exhibit!

- Let me go! - Sire!

You're falling into Hideyoshi's hands!

This incident was caused by the regent's jealousy.

Jealousy?

I believe the regent banished Rikyu to Sakai...

to punish him for visiting you!

I hastened Rikyu's death?

Whatever the case...!

We must pretend to ignore this.

I don't understand him!

I don't understand Hideyoshi!

Thanks for waiting.

I will assign your new territories.

Osaki and Kasai are added to your original territory.

I'm most honored!

However,

if a revolt should arise, the lands will be confiscated.

Understand?

I swear by the god Hachiman, all will be well.

Do your best.

Thank you very much, sir.

Don't rejoice yet.

We take from you the lands surrounding Aizu.

Namely, Tamura, Shionomatsu, Shinobu, Ono, and Ode.

But...!

No objections, I trust?

Make answer!

We have no objections!

We gratefully accept your decision!

That's good.

You have a loyal vassal, Lord Date.

Forgive him!

He should have slit his belly!

He was probably prepared to.

What?

Kojuro was only thinking of the clan.

I know!

Please forgive him!

Gamo did this!

He tricked me out of the five Sendo territories!

...Shionomatsu, Shinobu, even Tamura!

Kita.

Give this to Kojuro.

Kojuro.

Sister.

Has the pain stopped?

Don't worry. I deserved much worse from our lord.

He gave you some medicine.

He knows your true feelings.

Sister...

Good work.

I'm fortunate indeed.

My conduct was unworthy of a vassal.

Yet he...

Will Miharu belong to Lord Gamo?

Probably.

Worried about your mother?

If only we had word...

If she supported the Date, she'd be with you now.

Never speak of your mother again.

My Lord...

I know I'm being presumptuous...

Please forgive Lady Yoshi.

You should not have burned her letter without reading it.

Your ties can never be broken.

You always carry her memory in your heart.

She poisoned me.

It was an act of love.

Not you, too...!

She didn't want you to die by another's hand.

A poor excuse!

How did you feel when your father was taken hostage?

Did you not decide that he die by your own hand?

That was different!

Women don't understand!

In battle, one must kill even family!

The trip to Odawara could have destroyed the Date.

It was no less serious than battle!

Father begged me to kill him lest we suffer disgrace!

Lady Yoshi is torn to remorse!

Enough!

How happy I am.

The scab has disappeared from your face.

I made this gruel myself. Eat.

I can't see.

Please remove the bandage.

It's too soon. Be patient awhile longer.

A month later...

summoned by Masamune, Neko's party arrived in Kyoto.

She had arrived with new concubines.

The trip here was like going to China and India.

Kyoto is quite far.

If it were closer to Yonezawa, we could easily have destroyed it.

Please be careful of what you say.

A slip of the tongue.

Thank you for coming.

A room has been prepared for you.

Please rest.

Thank you, My Lady.

A word to the concubines.

You must never be rude to Lady Mego.

I am in charge of the household.

Perform your duties well.

We are all in Jurakutei Castle with the regent.

Your conduct must never embarrass the clan.

Oh, Neko!

Sire...

Thank you for coming.

It's nice to see you.

It's an honor to see you again, Sire.

It must have been a difficult trip.

Was there any problem?

Mount Fuji was very beautiful.

You're a carefree one!

Sire...

Please meet these ladies.

As ordered, I have brought concubines from Yonezawa.

This is all?

If you're displeased, I can get others.

I thought you'd bring at least ten.

Raise your heads.

I'm honored to meet you, My Lord.

I am To, daughter of Governor Kojima of Takahata.

I am Yuri, niece of Elder Ushijima of Kokubun.

Well...

I'll dance in honor of your arrival!

- Sire... - Don't strain yourself.

You dance, too.

Please rest.

This is shameful!

What?

You're the lord of the Date!

Have you lost your backbone to the regent, too?!

Hold your tongue, Tsunamoto!

Calm down!

Lost my backbone?

...Ridiculous!

Of course.

All fools...

You must rest.

Come, Neko!!

Neko!

Sire...

I've got backbone!

Don't I?

Of course.

Sire...

How drunk you are.

Let's go.

You may leave.

How difficult it must be.

Our lord has changed completely.

The Sendo was taken.

The fate of Nihonmatsu and Shirakawa are undecided.

Each day is agony for him.

It's not like him to be idle.

Watch what you say!

Our lord did everything he could.

He sent many gifts to the regent's advisors.

He invited them to tea ceremonies.

He is begging for help for our clan.

It must be more than Lord Masamune can stand.

Yes, indeed.

How terrible it must be...

to serve a ruler he cannot respect.

That's not all.

Lady Yoshi was banished and Jikumaru killed...

because of the march to Odawara.

Yes.

It must break his heart...

to bow to a ruler who should be his mortal enemy.

Mego...

Mego. Bring water.

Mego...

You..?

I'm the Cat of Iizaka.

How hateful. How sad.

I came all the way to Kyoto out of love for you.

How can you mistake me for someone else?

Forgive me.

Riots again broke out in Osaki and Kasai.

Kyoto was immediately informed.

They haven't learned.

They're squirmish again?

Lord Date lacked firmness.

Masamune...

What will you do?

It's most outrageous.

With your permission, I shall subdue them immediately!

I'll send Asano and Nanbu with you.

Osaki and Kasai belong to me.

I want no help!

You don't?

I hope you won't turn and incite the rebels?

I dare you to repeat that!

- It was a joke! - Inexcusable!

Masamune.

I'll leave the rebels to you.

Thank you, My Lord!

Lord Date is here.

Lord Masamune...

This is the ultimate test.

I know, sir.

No tricks.

The fate of the Date rests with this campaign.

Listen...

The wagtail trick won't work again.

Following Hideyoshi's orders,

Masamune left immediately for home.

Osaki and Kasai were in the northern part of present-day Miyagi Prefecture.

What is it?

We reach Yonezawa tomorrow.

I wish to know your intentions.

- About what? - About this campaign?

Will you subdue the rebels as Hideyoshi ordered? Or...

How do you feel?

I shall do whatever you decide.

Please tell us.

I've decided.

We'll muster all our forces and kill every last rebel.

I'm shocked, Sire!

This is the perfect opportunity...

to join the rebels and attack Kyoto.

You think we can win?

It's not impossible.

All the farmers suffer because of land surveys and sword hunts.

If we rise against Hideyoshi we can unite all Ou daimyo...

and those who were forced to submit.

Hideyoshi is testing me.

He turned me loose to see if I would turn traitor.

Let us knock his swelled head off and take revenge!

Hideyoshi is a monster.

I can't beat a monster.

After living in Kyoto, I know that.

Tread on a worm, and it will turn.

It's a disgrace to remain the underdog!

Stop it, Tsunamoto.

I can't bear it any more!

Hear me!

I haven't lost to Hideyoshi, yet.

If we can't win be force,

we must win by our wits.

Isn't that right?

I'll obey Hideyoshi and pacify Osaki and Kasai.

I'll win his trust and get close!

From then on, it'll be a test of wits!