Original subtitles

The time is 16th century.

Japan was a federation of daimyos with Hideyoshi as an absolute ruler.

Best ten incomes

Let's introduce the best 10 stipends

of each daimyo who supported Hideyoshi's politics.

First, from 10th to 4th place.

On the 10th place, Kobayakawa Hideaki.

10th place Kobayakawa Hideaki income 340.000

9th place Nabeshima Naoshige income 360.000

On the 9th place, Nabeshima Naoshige.

7th place Satake Yoshinobu income 560.000

7th place Shimazu Yoshiro income 560.000

The 7th place belongs to Satake Yoshinobu

and Shimazu Yoshiro as well.

6th place Ukita Hideie income 570.000

5th place Date Masamune income 580.000

4th place Maera Toshiie income 810.000

On the 6th place Ukita Hideie.

Date Masamune on the 5th place and Maera Toshiie on the 4th.

Date Masamune has ranked on 5th place with stipend 580.000.

Announcing the best three

And now, the best three.

On the 3rd place Uesugi Kagekatsu with stipend 1.200.000.

On the second place is Mori Terumoto

with best stipend in amount of 1.210.000.

And now, the first place in best 10 stipends belongs...

definitely to Tokugawa Ieyasu

and his top stipent in amount of 2.560.000.

By the way, members of The Council of Five Elders,

Hideyoshi's highest institution,

First place Tokugawa Ieyasu

Second place Mori Terumoto

Third place Uesugi Kagekatsu

Fourth place Maera Toshiie

Fifth place Date Masamune

Sixth place Ukita Hideie

Council of Five Elders

...were chosen from the first six best places, except for Masamune.

It might have been because...

...Masamune was a newcomer, or they didn't believe him,

but he had never been added as its member.

Dokuganryu Masamune (One-eyed Dragon Masamune)

Episode 34: Death of the Taiko

Screenplay by James Miki

Based on the novel Date Masamune by Sohachi Yamaoka

Music by Shinichiro Ikebe

Theme music performed by NHK Symphony Orchestra

CAST

Masamune Date: KEN WATANABE

Shigezane Date: TOMOKAZU MIURA

Kojuro Katakura: TERUHIKO SAIGO

Tose: MICHIKO GODAI

Sadatsuna Ouchi: MINORI TERADA

Akimitsu Ishikawa: Goto MUTSUMI Masakage Rusu: Kyozo NAGATSUKA

Munezane Shiroishi: Shunichi KADOTA Tsunamoto Oniniwa: TAKEHIRO MURATA

Motochika Sakurada: Shun KIMOTO Seibei Yanbe: Ryota NAKANISHI

Mitsunari Ishida: EIJI OKUDA

Lady Yodo: KANAKO HIGUCHI

Nagamasa Asano: YOICHI HAYASHI

Toshi-ie Maeda: MINORU OKI

Zejibo Inaba: MASASHI ISHIBASHI Gen-iu Maeda: MAKOTO YUASA

Kita no Mandokoro: KAORU YACHIGUSA

Lady Neko: KUMIKO AKIYOSHI

Ieyasu Tokugawa: MASAHIKO TSUGAWA

Hideyoshi Toyotomi: SHINTARO KATSU

I thank you for

arranging my coming-of-age ceremony

according to samurai custom...

I got it, Mother. I am fine.

You've grown.

I thank you for

arranging my coming-of-age ceremony

according to samurai custom today.

Well done.

1596. Masamune, now thirty,

presided over the coming-of-age ceremony

for six-year-old Hyogoro.

Hyogoro.

His highness, the taiko has given you

a character from his name for your adult name.

From now on you are Hidemune.

Hidemune Hyogoro Date.

Thank you.

That's not all.

The Imperial Court accepted the taiko's petition,

and you are underchamberlain of the fifth order.

You'll appreciate it when you're older.

It is an honor to have an imperial rank at six.

Congratulations.

- Congratulations. - Congratulations.

Congratulations.

Neko!

Sir Date.

Since you are in the taiko's favor nowadays,

you make light of us magistrates.

Stand out and others will try to pull you down.

You should be more modest.

I have my own reasons.

Last month, when one of our men

was killed in front of the Satsuma mansion,

you protected the culprit by not pursuing the matter.

I resent that.

Satsuma said they knew nothing about it.

I won't take it lying down.

Since you are my mentor, I've overlooked minor matters.

Hold on.

Are you saying you bear me a grudge?

If so, take this opportunity to tell me.

I shall.

First, during the Korea expedition

when we were attacking Busan Castle,

you deliberately ordered my retreat in front of allies.

If that's not a samurai disgrace, I don't know what is.

I was only admonishing your stealing a march for merit.

I was the commander of that war.

Second, similarly during the Korea expedition,

your army received more money allocations than we.

That couldn't be helped.

The Date had a lot of supplies.

Third. Although you were my mentor,

when three times I was accused falsely of treason,

you did not speak up for me.

I am greatly offended.

What?

I don't need your protection any more.

You ingrate.

By severing ties with Nagamasa Asano,

Masamune brought himself a step closer to Hideyoshi.

I hear the Oniniwa family all live a long life.

That's right.

Who lived the longest?

Our ancestor Yoshizane lived to be 97.

Ninety-seven?

Who died young?

That would be my father Yoshinao Sagetsu

who died young at 74.

You consider 74 dying young?

Even though we consider Sagetsu to have died young,

he died a glorious death

fighting off hordes at the battle of Hitotori bridge in Sendo.

What is the secret of your family's longevity?

Nothing special.

In the hot water served at every meal,

we put several grains of cooked rice

and we drink three or four cups of it.

Is that so?

Then I will try your family's secret too.

Tsunamoto.

Your family name, an ogre in the garden, is unlucky.

Flowers and plants should grow in a garden.

Well? From today, change your surname to

Moniwa. That is my gift.

Thank you, sir.

Five grains of rice.

Masamune.

What shall we bet on this game?

Well...

If I win, I want the Date family's treasure.

I want Tsunamoto.

All right.

If Tsunamoto wins, what can I have?

Tsunamoto is Date's hereditary vassal

and is my confidant.

Do you think I will lose?

I'm saying, if one in a million...

Well in that case,

what about her, Lady Ko?

She is my virgin treasure. Your move.

That must have felt good.

Even the taiko paled and was at a loss for words.

What happened to Lady Ko?

She's at Tsunamoto's mansion.

You should return her immediately.

Or else, he'll retaliate.

Don't worry. It's just a joke.

No, it's not.

Tsunamoto.

Do you want to serve Hideyoshi?

I won.

What if you had lost?

The taiko is an upstart,

so compared to other lords, he has fewer confidants.

That's why he wanted Kojuro before

and now he wants you to become his retainer.

How can you be Date's magistrate without seeing through that.

You're absolutely right.

But Sir Tsunamoto was forced to play the taiko.

It's not just the chess game.

Tsunamoto abandoned his hereditary surname

and accepted Hideyoshi's renaming.

If Sagetsu were alive,

he would have been mad as hell.

Sir Shigezane.

Isn't it samurai honor to be given a name by the ruler?

A surname is a samurai's cornerstone.

Give it back.

Give back the surname and the woman.

Show him Date's spirit.

That's not necessary.

I was the one who permitted him to bet on a chess game.

He was given his surname in front of me.

Your blaming Tsunamoto is the same as blaming me.

Then here's my honest opinion.

You know very well the taiko is capricious.

It's dangerous to get too close.

I know that.

If you do, draw a line like Sir Tokugawa.

If you keep going to pay your respects,

you're a toady.

A toady?

Sir Shigezane.

- Say that again! - Please don't.

If you don't like my advice, go ahead and kill me.

- Damn you. - My Lord.

It's my fault. I apologize.

- I'm talking to the lord. - Shut up, Shigezane.

This is the last straw.

- You mustn't. - Please leave.

Let me go!

Sir Shigezane.

Restrain yourself, Sir Shigezane.

I don't know what came over me.

Pardon my rudeness.

Shigezane.

What's the matter?

You look very sad today.

Are you feeling ill?

Tose.

Yes?

Go back to the fief.

What are you saying?

I'm divorcing you.

You're joking.

I'm not sure what being a samurai means.

What am I living for?

Why do I serve the Date?

A samurai honors the family name

and is willing to die for his lord.

That's how it used to be.

Warriors were always looking for a place to die.

But warriors nowadays

have been made spineless by Hideyoshi

and act like tame house cats.

Men who're glib are the ones who get ahead.

Louts like me are useless.

That's not so...

You don't understand.

I'm an encumbrance to the Date.

In times of peace, I'm totally useless.

How pathetic.

You're right.

I'm so angry at myself.

Then...

Will it make you feel better if you divorce me?

I don't want to live in vain and die in obscurity.

I want to go on a trip to find myself.

You can't. The lord won't permit it.

I don't need his permission. I'll leave without telling him.

Don't do it.

Listen.

I don't want to divorce you,

but I don't want my crime to affect you.

That's too selfish of you.

What about your retainers?

I'll tell Umanosuke the truth.

One who is a true samurai will understand how I feel.

Don't cry, Tose.

I'm going to make my lord reconsider

what a true warrior is by laying my life on the line.

Whether it's more important to weather the storm

or to be a man of culture.

Then don't divorce me, order me to die.

Don't be foolish.

As long as I live, I will be your wife.

If you're going to run away no matter what,

I will wait for your return in Kakuta Castle.

Listen, Hidemune.

Your birth mother is Lady Iizaka here.

That's true.

But you must not call her mother.

Why not?

Hidemune's mother is Mego.

I don't get it.

Mego is the legal wife, you're a mistress.

The heir's mother must be the legal wife.

That's the custom.

Then I ask you.

What am I to Hidemune?

His birth mother.

Is a birth mother not a mother?

Don't quibble.

You're the one who's quibbling.

- What? - Watch your language.

Hidemune is my child.

What's wrong with a child calling his mother, "Mother,"

and a mother calling her child, "Child."

Hidemune is my child.

I am the mother.

You're a surrogate.

How coldhearted of you.

You're taking away my flesh and blood...

I'm not taking him from you.

Last night, I dreamt about the time I was in Iwadeyama.

I longed for Hidemune and was so sad...

How silly.

Don't you miss Lady Ohigashi?

Don't you want to see her?

Don't say such stupid things.

My Lord.

Sir Shigezane...

AWOL?

I had men secretly look for him.

It seems he's already left Kyoto.

Insolent fellow. What is he thinking?

Forgive me.

His displeasure with me must be the cause.

We have to do something.

Tell Shigezane's retainers

to go find him and bring him back now.

Some say he went west, some north.

We have no idea where he went.

Find him if you have to go to the ends of the earth.

But if we make a fuss, people will know.

Damn him!

My Lord. I have a request.

Please tell me to take a leave of absence.

I would like to go incognito and look for Sir Shigezane.

Where would you look?

First, I'll go back and look everywhere in our fief.

Then I'll go to the castle towns of the likely lords.

I will find him no matter how long it takes

and beseech him to return.

You don't have to beg.

If he's going to be stubborn, I'll do what I have to do.

My Lord.

Sir Shigezane is the pillar of the Date clan.

He supported you through Ou's worn-torn period,

came through many perilous battles,

and is your number one meritorious retainer.

Tsunamoto Moniwa, permitted a leave of absence,

left to find Shigezane.

But he could not find clues to his whereabouts.

Reporting. It's Mitsunari.

China's envoys Yang Fangheng and Shen Weijing

will be arriving next month with the emperor's letter.

I presume my seven conditions for peace

have been relayed to China's emperor?

Yes.

I'm looking forward to his reply.

I'm going to live a long time.

Philippines, Vietnam, India...

How many countries can I conquer?

Fushimi castle's renovation was completed that year.

Masamune, promoted to

underchamberlain of the fourth order and

minor captain of the right of the Inner Palace guards,

invited the taiko to the Date mansion to thank him.

Your Highness!

Your Highness.

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

- Your Highness. - Stand back.

- Your Highness. - Are you all right?

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Your Highness...

Your Highness.

Don't move.

Your Highness.

You'll get hurt... Your Highness.

Rikyu... I want Rikyu...

Summon Rikyu. Where is he?

Rikyu committed suicide some years ago.

Masamune.

The drums... Another dance.

- Your Highness. - Never mind.

September, 1596.

Hideyoshi, meeting the Chinese envoys,

was incensed his peace proposal had been ignored.

The following year, in February 1597,

he again ordered troops to be sent to Korea.

Masamune, then 31, formed the expedition army,

determining quotas of soldiers for each of the lords.

The expedition force will number 147,090.

Sir Mitsunari says this is not enough.

This is foolhardy.

Excuse me?

We can't win a war conceived in anger.

How is the taiko?

Not good.

I see. Now I understand...

...why Sir Mitsunari pays frequent visits to Lady Yodo.

I'd like to hear what you really think.

Me?

If something happens to the taiko,

who will rule the country?

Since the heir is too young, the country will be ruled by

the consensus of the chief minister and five ministers.

I presume you will steer the consensus.

Not so. All ten of us may think we have the lead.

We must win the war.

Or else I'll be demonized.

I became the ruler of Japan. I can get everything I want...

...but not youth.

Masamune.

No one defied me as much as you did.

If I had a son like you...

Do not forget your debt to me.

I will never forget.

About Hideyori...

Be loyal to him.

Will you?

February, 1598.

Hideyoshi transferred Echigo's Kagekatsu Uesugi to Aizu

and placed Ujisato Gamo's son Hidetaka in Utsunomiya.

The fief consists of Aizu, Sendo, Oitama and Katta.

How loathsome.

Is his intention to watch Date more closely?

It's probably Sir Mitsunari Ishida's idea.

He's really vindictive.

That's not all.

The reason he put Uesugi in Aizu

is to immobilize Ieyasu Tokugawa from the rear.

I see.

Mitsunari is paving the way for when Hideyoshi is gone.

The biggest thorn in his side is Ieyasu Tokugawa.

Needless to say, we have to be vigilant.

Between Ishida and Tokugawa...

Who do you think has the mettle?

I can't say.

Mitsunari Ishida is razor sharp.

While he pays lip service to the taiko,

he's buttering up Lady Yodo to get Hideyori on his side.

In that case Mitsunari has the upper hand.

Ieyasu had his heir marry Lady Yodo's sister.

He may strengthen his influence by marriage.

Either way Lady Yodo is the key.

What would Shigezane say

of this new land allocation?

"I can't stand it anymore!"

Hasn't he been found yet?

We're trying our best, but...

Even though his war in Korea was not going well,

Hideyoshi, though ill, held a cherry blossom fete at Daigo.

This would become his last official function.

Your Highness.

An elephant stepped on me.

You were dreaming.

The elephant you saw was a gift from the Philippines.

Hiroimaru...

Have you ever seen an elephant?

Yes, it was huge.

Even though it was big, it was gentle.

And...

It had a long nose.

You have a good memory.

Everyone has gathered.

Your Highness?

Closer.

Chief Councilor of State.

You, Sir Maeda, and I are childhood friends.

I ask you to be Hideyori's guardian.

I accept with honor.

I'm counting on you.

I shall do my best.

Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal.

What is the name of your granddaughter?

Princess Sen.

Proceed with...

Princess Sen's...

engagement to Hiroimaru.

I am very honored.

I'm counting on you.

Take care of Hideyori.

Please.

I shall.

Gen-i Maeda.

You are the caretaker lord of Fushimi Castle.

I'm counting on you.

Nagamasa.

You are Nene's brother-in-law.

You know your role.

Mitsunari.

You will instruct Hideyori

according to the policies of the chief councilor of state.

I am honored by this most important role.

Even if Hideyori hits you

or orders you to be his slipper servant,

think of it as my doing.

I swear to the gods I will obey.

I have no other wishes.

Please...

take care of Hideyori.

I'm begging you.

August 18, 1598.

Taiko Hideyoshi, leaving his parting poem

ended his tumultuous life.

He was 62.