Original subtitles

Sendai castle which Masamune built,

was the Date clan base for 250 years.

In deference to Ieyasu no towers were built.

However, Mt. Aoba was a natural fortress.

To the east were sheer cliffs rising from Hirose River.

To the south was Tatsunokuchi Ravine.

From west to north, hills surrounded the castle.

Of this vast castle Masamune only built a section of the main keep.

It included Masamune's private quarters...

and public rooms for administration and celebrations.

The center of this was the grand hall.

Its floor space was about 981 sq. yards.

It was almost a hundred mat room.

With "Irimoya" roof, this magnificent hall...

was patterned after Momoyama period architecture.

On the west cliff, Masamune built a lookout platform.

From here, one could see 25 miles over the Pacific.

Perhaps in Sendai castle,

Masamune dreamed of going beyond the sea.

Dokuganryu Masamune (One-eyed Dragon Masamune)

Episode 39: Iroha Marries

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

Princess Mego: JUNKO SAKURADA

Princess Iroha: YASUKO SAWAGUCHI

Tadateru Matsudaira: HIROYUKI SANADA

Sadatsuna Ouchi: MINORI TERADA Masakage Rusu: KYOZO NAGATSUKA

Shigenobu Suzuki: MITSURU HIRATA Munenao Shiroishi: ZENPAKU KATO

Yoshiaki Mogami: YOSHIO HARADA

Sokun Imai: KEI TANI

Narrator: SEIJI KASAI

Nagayasu Okubo: RYUNOSUKE KANEDA

Lady Neko: KUMIKO AKIYOSHI

Ieyasu Tokugawa: MASAHIKO TSUGAWA

June 1603.

Edo Castle

While construction of Masamune's Sendai Castle

was going as planned,

Yamagata's Yoshiaki Mogami

beleaguered by infighting for the clan's succession

went to Ieyasu Tokugawa.

You want Iechika back?

I want him to succeed the Mogami clan

so please return him to me.

That's strange.

You have a renowned warrior son.

That's a laugh.

Yoshiyasu is an immoral, disloyal contrary person.

I've confined him to his home.

With your permission, I will disinherit him at once.

Disinherit?

Father.

It's difficult to talk of our family's shame.

But it can't be helped and I beg for your support.

Immoral and disloyal is a serious accusation.

What happened?

He forgot his place and ordered me to retire

and if I didn't agree,

he was prepared to use his army to take over.

Do you have proof?

I do.

My trusted vassal Hachiemon Hara

heard him say so.

How old is Yoshiyasu?

Twenty-nine, sir.

Why don't you let him take over?

What?

It may be time to pass the torch.

I'm thinking of retiring in the near future as well.

Begging you pardon...

you gave the Mogami a 570,000 income

and we are now a substantial daimyo clan.

I have worked my fingers to the bone

building canals and developing the Shonai area.

I can't rely on the young Yoshiyasu to complete the task.

Iechika is even younger than him.

It's not that I don't understand your position.

I can't have a rebellion in Yamagata.

Agreed.

It happened to me too.

In 1579,

I steeled myself

and killed my wife Tsukiyama and heir Nobuyasu.

If I didn't, I would have incurred Lord Nobunaga's ire

and the Tokugawa clan would have been destroyed.

Even if you pity him,

you have to think of clan and country first.

Since Yoshiyasu is under house arrest he can't act.

Order him to commit seppuku.

But...

Listen Yoshiaki.

Hurry back to Yamagata and kill your insolent son.

You may go.

Yoshiaki Mogami's heir Yoshiyasu

was suspected of treason and was banished

without given a chance to clear himself.

And right after he left Yamagata Castle...

- My lord! - My lord!

- My lord... - My lord.

Protect the lord.

Fire!

Fire.

What's the meaning of this?

Fire.

Did Father order this?

How backhanded.

Father!

I am innocent.

Is Yoshiyasu dead?

I took his life in Maruoka.

I see.

This is the box that

Hanzaemon retrieved from Sir Yoshiyasu's mansion.

I believe it contains the secret pact

of those who joined him in the rebellion.

Please examine it.

Morimune.

My lord!

What?

Please read it out loud.

This is not a pact.

It is a vow to the gods

that he is completely loyal to you.

What?

My only thought is to obey the wishes of

my father to whom I am greatly indebted

so his anger at me is bitterly disappointing.

I blame myself for bringing this upon myself.

There has to be an oath.

I hope you're not mistaken.

Of course not. I was told it was in here.

Did you... Did you see this document?

Er, no Er, yes.

Oh, no.

Hachiemon, you made this up.

A moment A moment...

In contrast to the Mogami's misfortunes

the Date was on the rise.

The young lord is here.

And on December 24 1606.

Tadateru Matsudaira Ieyasu's sixth son

and Masamune's eldest daughter Princess Iroha

was married at the Matsudaira mansion in Gofukubashi, Edo.

Oh, young lord.

- You cannot go in. - Shut up.

I'm Tadateru. Raise your head.

- A can't see your face. - Please don't.

You are Masamune's daughter?

Yes, I am.

Why did you come? Tell me.

- Young lord. - Don't interfere.

Don't hold back. Tell me.

I am here as your bride.

Why?

You don't know?

Then I'll tell you.

So that the shogun and Date families will be related.

If we're related, the Date clan will be secure.

Yes.

The shogun clan will also be secure.

If Sir Tadateru is the groom

I am the father-in-law.

I pray we will be on good terms forever.

A bride is a hostage.

Hold on.

Let go.

Do you like Iroha?

Insolence. Let go.

I'm sorry. I tried to stop him but...

The retired shogun is waiting.

Oh, yes.

Don't worry.

Men should have spirit.

I'm fine.

Daimyos who serve the Tokugawa

are all present for the ceremony.

But don't be afraid.

You look particularly beautiful today.

Masamune.

I like Iroha. I will marry her.

Be thankful.

Let's go.

Ieyasu had handed over his position as shogun

to his third son Hidetada

to create the foundation of the Tokugawa shogunate

and as the retired shogun

was taking great pains to organize the shogunate

according to the feudal system.

New Year's 1604 - Date Mansion, Edo

You are very drunk.

It was a lavish feast for stingy Ieyasu.

And Nanban dishes at that.

That sounds wonderful.

Mego. Auspicious news.

Please sit.

- Toragiku is engaged. - What?

The retired shogun is offering Princess Ichi.

Princess Ichi?

He said I must be lonely now that Iroha is married.

Is she a daughter of the shogun family?

Of course.

She's Ieyasu's mistress Okatsu's child.

And how old is she?

One.

She was born just this January.

You're joking.

I'm not.

It seems Ieyasu wants to be doubly related to Date.

But to use a baby political tool...

I accepted with pleasure.

Sir Tokugawa is arranging marriages with all the daimyos.

I can't fall behind.

I'll begat many children and compete with Ieyasu.

Masamune was forty-one.

He already had nine children.

We invite Yoshichika Shirakawa to join the Date family

and provide him with income to hire 100 men.

I accept with gratitude.

Similarly, Masataka Iwaki will be Date's guest lord

and provided with income to hire 100 men.

Thank you.

The years had also brought changes to the

Date's pool of vassals.

If things had turned out differently

both of you would still be lords of your fief.

Since you obeyed my orders and didn't go to Odawara

your fiefs were confiscated.

It has bothered me than

since then you had not had not been commissioned.

But now that you say you will serve the Date

I will treat you with the respect due you.

I understand.

I hope we can work closely from now on.

- Uncle. - Are you all right?

You shouldn't exert yourself.

You'll cough up blood again.

I'm all right.

Masakage. You're tired.

Go back to your fief and recuperate.

My lord.

Looking back, our time together

seems both long and short.

If the late lord could see you now

what would he say?

Excuse me.

Masakage Rusu who was Masamune's guardian

and came through the tumultuous war years together

went back to Ichinoseki to his resident castle

and died there in 1607.

Everyone dies.

Even the taiko who wanted to live forever

died in vain looking for the elixir of life.

I will die eventually.

Don't tempt fate.

Listen Mego.

We come into the world alone and leave it alone.

We're like guests in this world.

- Guests? - That's right.

If you think of it that way, it's not that disappointing.

But we leave children in this world.

Yes.

If the children are happy

the parents can leave this world without regret.

Are you thinking of Iroha?

Don't worry.

She's a bright girl.

I'm sure she's flawlessly attending to her duties

as the Matsudaira's bride.

It reminds me...

What?

I married into the Date when I was eleven.

I made you suffer.

I now know how worried my parents must have been.

That's because you are a parent now.

Sir Ieyasu put it aptly.

A man's life is akin to walking a long road

carrying a heavy burden.

That may be.

But there are pretty flowers along the road.

The birds will be singing.

When you think you're a guest it's not that bad.

Reporting.

Sir Tadatsuna is here on an urgent matter.

All right.

Did she confess?

Yes. Here is the proof.

That maid was nailing

a straw effigy to a tree every night

and trying to curse someone to death.

This is serious.

I ordered her.

What?

Ofuku is blameless.

It won't do you good to protect her.

I'm not lying.

Then what made you do such a thing?

I can't say.

Tell me.

Were you trying to kill me?

- Of course not. - Then was it Mego?

Or Toragiku?

What pathetic words.

I am the daughter of castle lord Muneyasu Iizaka.

Even if I was burned at the stake

I will never do anything to harm the Date.

Then who were you trying to kill?

Please don't ask me.

I insist.

If you won't talk, you will be tortured.

You still won't talk?

Do whatever you wish.

Lady Neko.

Clear the room.

Neko.

Were you cursing the retired shogun?

I'm right, aren't I?

How did you know?

If Ieyasu dies, the Toyotomi will rule again.

Then Hidemune who had the taiko's support

can succeed as the Date head.

You ingrate.

Ieyasu took pains with Hidemune's engagement.

No. Sir Tokugawa arranged marriages for Princess Iroha

and Sir Toragiku to his own children.

But he's pushing his vassal's daughter on Hidemune.

Fool!

Naomasa Ii is one of Tokugawa's great generals

and a member of his extended family.

No matter how able a vassal,

he is still only a vassal.

Don't quibble.

Although Hidemune is the elder brother,

he has to bow to sir Toragiku.

That can't be helped.

Masakage and Akimitsu are my uncles

yet they bow down to me as head of the family.

I just can't stand it. I pity Hidemune.

But that doesn't give you the right to attempt to curse

the previous shogun to death.

Then do whatever. Kill me with your hands if you wish.

All right. Don't move.

My lord, did you want to become Tokugawa's pet dog?

Say that again.

Have you given up on ruling the country?

Shut up.

Answer me.

If you say you'll take the country

I will die without regret.

Ascertain with you own eyes whether I'll rule the country

before you die.

Masamune was now spending

Sendai Castle

one year in Sendai and one year in Edo.

While in Edo he devoted himself to diplomacy

and back in Sendai immersed himself

in developing his fief.

In Sendai, he banished Hyo-e Yashiro

who was cruel to the peasants and appointed

Shigenobu Suzuki a financial wiz as chief magistrate.

The 21 hamlets will be unified into four districts

and a magistrate appointed for each.

We'll also create 19 administrative divisions

and each will have several squires.

I'll leave the allotments to you.

I already have ideas.

How about the rice?

We continue to have bumper crops.

Especially the Osaki and Kasai

hamlets have a surplus after paying rice taxes.

That's great.

If we take the surplus to Edo,

we can sell it at double and triple the price.

How will you transport it?

We'll extend Kitakami River into Ishinomaki

put the rice on a ship and take it down by sea.

Kitakami River into Ishinomaki?

That's outrageous.

No, it's not a pipe dream.

In every fief, construction of waterways are underway.

We have to develop sea routes from now on.

There are large ships coming from Philippines and Nanban.

- That's true. - But...

the cost would be exorbitant.

No need to worry.

The gold mines of Kasaki Karakuwa, Kesen are inexhaustible.

We'll get breed more horses grow lacquer trees and bamboo

and produce iron and cast metal locally.

The Date coffers will overflow.

You sure talk a lot.

What about Iwadeyama's natto?

It's the best.

Then I'd love to try it.

- Yes, sir. - No thanks for me.

What?

Since Sir Shigenobu is from Kansai

it doesn't suit him.

Fool. You can't be a Sendai magistrate

without liking natto.

Date Mansion, Edo

1609. Hidemune Date married Princess Kame,

daughter of Tokugawa general Naomasa Ii.

Now that the marriage ceremony is over,

from now on you are Hidemune's wife.

A perfect couple.

Yes, truly.

I am Kame, Naomasa Ii's daughter.

I am inexperienced so please give me guidance.

Congratulations.

- Congratulations. - Congratulations.

Mego is my legal wife so is Hidemune's mother.

Nice to meet you.

You'll do fine, here. Think of this as your home.

Thank you.

My eldest daughter Iroha is with Sir Tadateru Matsudaira.

Toragikumaru is Date's heir.

He has two younger brothers.

And this is Lady Iizaka.

She is Hidemune's birth mother.

Glad to make your acquaintance.

Ask me anything about Hidemune.

This is Hidemune's brother Gonpachiro.

Through our lord's good graces,

he is the successor of the Iizaka clan.

We can talk about that later.

There are others.

Three in Iwadeyama and three more in Sendai.

Eleven all together.

Now, Hidemune.

Although you are illegitimate, you are the eldest.

Help each other and love your many siblings

and be a pillar of Date's future.

I shall.

In his congratulatory letter,

the retired shogun says he will make you a daimyo.

Is that true?

Don't be hasty. Not right away.

Congratulations.

- Congratulations. - Congratulations.

Congratulations.

So auspicious.

It's a miracle medicine from Nanban.

This will make you better.

Thank you, sir.

There is no one luckier than I.

Why do you say that?

Well, once I tried to kill you by going to war with you

but through your good offices you made me your vassal

and now you come personally to see how I am.

You served me well. I thank you.

Thank you for your kind words.

This is indeed the supreme honor for a warrior.

Do you have anything to say to me?

I liked working for the Date.

You were my pride.

I see images from the past running through my mind.

We were young then.

However...

In my humble opinion

the time to impose one's will by force is past.

Under Sir Tokugawa's rule,

you will have to fight back with reason in all cases.

I know I don't need to tell you this.

All right.

Sadatsuna Ouchi, who lost to Masamune in battle

and later became a trusted vassal

and made the lord of Maezawa castle

died in Edo in February 1610.

He was 65 years old.

Soon thereafter, Kita who was Masamune's guardian

died in Kojuro's fief Shiroishi of illness.

Also, Masamune's mentor Priest So-itsu Kosai

died in Kakuhanji Temple in Sendai after a full life.

October, 1610.

The second shogun Hidetada's chamberlains Toshikatsu Doi

and Tadamoto Mizuno visited Masamune.

And are the presents ready?

Presents?

I think I don't need to remind a lord like you but

the current shogun is paying you a visit.

I'll offer him the delicacies of the mountain and the sea

and I propose to perform three Noh dances.

That is felicitous.

But I think the gifts are important.

Don't worry.

I have a renowned tea bowl for him.

Tea bowl?

I brought it back from Korea.

I can add a saucer I made to go with it.

That is excellent.

If you want to see it, I will have it brought.

Er, no. That's not necessary.

Recently the shogun is more interested in swords

than tea utensils.

So I think giving him your sword

would make him very happy.

Oh dear, I'm not sure I can.

I don't have a famous sword

that would impress Sir Hidetada.

You're being modest.

You are famous for your bravery

I surmise you have many excellent swords.

You give me too much credit.

In fact, the shogun has always said

he'd like to see Toshiro Shinogi.

What?

Why don't you present him with the world renowned

Toshiro Shinogi sword?

I concur. That would be a suitable gift.

I'm sure the shogun would be very pleased.

I refuse.

Since I'm inviting him to the Date mansion,

he is a guest even though he is the shogun.

I believe I am the host.

You are correct.

It's the host who decides on the present.

It's not done for the guest to dictate what he wants.

That's not something a shogun's should do.

It's not the shogun. It's us being considerate.

It's none of your business.

We want everything to go smoothly.

Do you think I will do a bad job?

Of course not.

Toshiro Shinogi was given to me

upon the death of the taiko.

That's why I'm urging you to present it to the shogun.

What?

If you give Tokugawa

what you were given by Toyotomi

that is the proof of your unwavering loyalty.

How impertinent.

I find it doubly inexcusable.

Toshiro Shinogi is my treasure. I will never give it up.

Oh my.

Your refusal may cast doubt on your loyalty.

I am who I am.

I don't care what anybody thinks.

I have to give it to Sir Date. He fears nothing.

Tadateru Matsudaira Mansion

My father is a renowned contrarian.

Once he makes up his mind, no one can stop him.

He was born that way.

He almost lost his life because of that.

And was Brother angry?

Oh no. He was in good spirits

and I was vindicated.

He said when Toragiku comes of age,

he should take a character from his name

and be known as Tadamune.

Tadamune?

He said nothing about Toshiro Shinogi.

Father-in-law.

Will you give Toshiro Shinogi to me?

What?

I'd like to possess it and put one over on the shogun.

I'll think about it.

Not even for your son-in-law?

It's too soon. It would offend him.

So what if he's offended?

Oh we have another contrarian.

But Nagayasu, you're a contrarian too.

This is a gathering of contrarians.

I am very straight forward.

Liar.

That's not possible for Masamune's daughter.

Oh, how hateful.

I'm praising you.

Great men are all contrarians.

Like Sir Nobunaga, like the taiko

and also Sir Ieyasu.

Well said.

Then that makes me a great man.

Yes, Sir Hidetada agrees.

He said there is no one as shrewd as Nagayasu.

I am honored.

He said you excel in your positions as

gold mine magistrate, head governor

and also as Sir Tadateru's administrator.

But that you are a shameless womanizer.

Ouch.

Your only fault is your devotion to Christianity

and your partiality to the Nanbans.

There's a reason for my partiality to the Nanban.

Why is that?

Anjin Miura an Englishman has played up to

the retired shogun and

his clan are all partial to Red Hairs.

What's the difference between Red Hairs and Nanbans?

Nanbans are Spanish and Portuguese.

Red Hairs are English and Hollanders.

Although they're all Christians,

they're from different countries

with different hair colors and they don't get along

just like the Nichiren and Nenbutsu Buddhism sects.

I see.

The world is now split in two.

The Nanbans and Red Hairs are in fierce competition.

But the Spanish who have an invincible navy

will eventually rule the world.

The Toyotomis are siding with the Nanbans

in an effort to win over the Christian lords.

If the shogunate gets over friendly with Red Hairs

the Spanish Armada will come to our shores

and let loose the big country-destroying guns.

Big country-destroying guns?

One blast can kill several hundred people.

Wow.

The dispute between Nanbans and Red Hairs

will eventually involve the Toyotomi and shogunate in a war.

The only way to preserve the shogunate

is to be friendly with both Nanbans and Red Hairs.

If the shogunate favors the Red Hairs

we need a boss who favor the Nanbans.

A boss?

He means me, Masamune.

There are 600,000 Christians in Japan.

If I become their head

will you give me Toshiro Shinogi?

Hold on.

Are you a Christian?

Yes.

I too am a follower.

Oh my.

A shogun's brother and his family

switching religions is a big deal.

They will make all kinds of conjectures

and accuse you of treason.

Whether he is a rebel or a strong ally

will all depend on how the world turns.

What?

I'm kidding.

I am going to be the king of the world.

Don't forget that intent.

Leave insignificant Japan to Sir Hidetada

and let's cross the sea.

We'll build a big ship and name it Contrarian.

We'll go to Spain

proudly proclaiming Japan's king is here.

Don't worry, I'll dig up all the gold and silver we need.

Yes, there is that.

Mego.

I still have a dream and a purpose.

The world is large.

There are large countries beyond the sea.

England, Spain, Holland, Portugal.

- Is it war? - No.

I want to see the world with my own eyes.

That's dangerous.

Storms may sink the ship or you can lose your way.

Don't worry.

I hear Nanban and Red Hair ships are

coming to Hirado and Sakai seeking trade.

What they can do I can do.