Original subtitles

Boy who rides a horse

A peaceful world with gray hair

Remaining with heaven's forgiveness

There's no entertaining

This is the most famous among Masamune's sentences.

In this case, the term 'boy' means the young era.

James Miki

When he was young, he only fought in battles.

And now, when the world is peaceful, he got older.

Because, being able to live long is like heaven's forgiveness,

...then why not to enjoy it?

It is a lot of fun, isn't it?

However, his last line can be interpreted...

...in another way: "How can I do it without enjoyment".

There is theory that it shows

the unhappiness which appeared in his last years,

...because he couldn't rule country.

However, nobody knows where the truth lies.

Boy riding a horse

A peaceful world with gray hair

Remaining with heaven's forgiveness

There's no entertaining

Dokuganryu Masamune (One-eyed Dragon Masamune)

Episode 46: Divorce

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

Princess Mego: JUNKO SAKURADA

Princess Iroha: YASUKO SAWAGUCHI

Kojuro Katakura: MASAHIRO TAKASHIMA

Shigenobu Suzuki: MITSURU HIRATA

Tsunamoto Moniwa: TAKEHIRO MURATA

Munenao Shiroishi: ZENPAKU KATO Sadamune Watarai: RYOTA SAKANISHI

Tadateru Matsudaira: HIROYUKI SANADA

Munenori Yagyu: RENJI ISHIBASHI

Morishige Kokubun: ISEEI OGATA

Narrator: SEIJI KASAI

Tsuta: MIKIKO OTONASHI

Kagetsuna Katakura: TERUHIKO SAIGO

Shiroishi Castle

The Summer Siege of Osaka had ended,

and the Keicho era became the Genna era.

At the end of August Masamune left Edo for Sendai

and stopped by Shiroishi Castle

to look in on Kagetsuna Katakura.

I am honored that you've come all this way.

Please, lie down.

I'm fine.

First, congratulations on the victory.

We won but there's no increase in our income.

I have to go back empty-handed.

I couldn't accompany you because of my illness,

I also couldn't go to greet you upon your return.

I am mortified.

It's all right.

You were my right-hand man for so long.

From now on, take it easy and enjoy your retirement.

I appreciate the sentiment

but I fear I've come to the end of the line.

Don't say that.

I'm very glad

to be able to see you to say my eternal farewell.

I have no regrets now.

That's not so.

Then why won't you let Kojuro enter this castle?

He has been an undutiful son.

Undutiful?

Kojuro personally engaged on the battlefield in Osaka

and fought with common soldiers.

My husband is displeased

and ordered him banned from the castle.

He has disinherited him.

You are so wrong.

Kojuro was appointed the Date army's vanguard

and was the first to distinguish himself in battle.

Every warrior was impressed by how fiercely he fought.

That's a different matter.

Kojuro is the lord of Shiroishi Castle.

If he died at the hands of common soldiers

not only would that be undutiful to me,

it would have been an extreme act of disloyalty.

Is Kojuro the lord of Shiroishi Castle or not?

He is.

Then what are you?

Now that you're retired you're just a freeloader.

Shiroishi Castle was entrusted to me by our lord.

It's only natural that I disinherit my heir if he is unsuitable.

You stubborn old man.

Do you refuse to let him enter the castle?

They say be more vigilant after you win.

It is important to set an example.

Then it can't be helped.

I will take charge of Kojuro.

I will adopt him and let him inherit Watari Castle.

Do you have an objection?

Oh, no.

Kojuro is the heir of the Katakura clan.

You just said you disinherited him.

It looks like you lose.

No.

You don't need to defer to me.

Summon him and praise him for his bravery.

Forgive him as a favor to me.

Thank you.

Mrs. Tsuta.

Open the gates and let Kojuro through.

- Yes, Sir. - One moment.

You don't know when to give up.

I have a favor to ask.

Please give me your time before I see my son.

Tell me what you wish.

Thank you.

I want to express my joy in seeing you again

by playing my flute.

Can you play in your condition?

Will you accompany me?

Are you all right?

- My lord. - That's enough.

That's enough.

That was splendid.

Have him lie down.

This flute.

Please, take this flute as a memento

and keep it by your side.

All right.

Thank you, sir.

- Lie down. - That was beautiful.

It's just the way you used to play.

Not at all. I was out of breath.

Father.

Wait there.

Please hear me out.

This is probably the last time I will see you.

Since this is my eternal farewell,

I want to revert to my old role as guardian

and tell you what is on my mind.

As you wish.

Please forgive me if I offend you.

The first of my dying wish

is that you take care of yourself

and live a long life.

Second, please have Lady Hoshuin in Yamagata

return to the Date household.

It would be regrettable if people say

Masamune Date is a heartless soul

who doesn't care about his mother.

But...

Sir Iechika Mogami is a foolish ruler unlike his father.

I suspect Lady Hoshuin's life is not easy there.

I understand.

I will send a messenger right away.

I'm also very concerned about Tsunenaga Hasekura.

Tsunenaga is away in a far-off land

and does not know Christianity has been banned

or that the Toyotomi clan has perished.

As we speak he is trying to fulfill your secret order.

If the shogunate learns you made overtures

to the Spanish Armada

the Date clan's very existence will be in danger.

He'll be intercepted and warned upon his return.

That is of the utmost importance.

Is that all?

Lastly, I want to talk about your son-in-law

Sir Tadateru Matsudaira.

Don't protect him too much.

Although I feel for Princess Iroha

Sir Tadateru's temperament is suited to a turbulent age

not to our peaceful era.

The retired shogun will not forgive him.

At best he will be stripped of his rank,

at the worst he will be ordered to commit seppuku.

Are you telling me to forsake him?

Yes, sir.

There won't be any more battles.

A warrior lord's power will now be judged by

how well he governs his fief

for the sake of the retired shogun,

and for his people.

Is that so? There will be no more wars...

Rest easy.

I will take your advice to heart

so that my people will say

I am an excellent lord.

May the clan prosper for a thousand years.

Father!

My lord! Hang in there.

Father, it's me Kojuro.

Did you hear my dying words?

Yes. With all my heart.

They are all important for the Date.

Serve the lord with all your soul.

Yes, sir.

Kagetsuna. Praise him for his bravery.

Praise him.

Kojuro... You did well.

Good job.

Father.

Have him lie down.

Shortly after returning to Sendai Castle,

Masamune received news of Kagetsuna Katakura's death.

He was 59.

If I were a bird, my wing has been clipped.

If I were a ship, I've lost my oar.

You are a lucky man.

What?

There must be countless samurai who're called loyal.

There will never be a retainer who thought more of his lord

than Kagetsuna Katakura.

In his younger days, he was your guardian

in his mature years, he governed with ingenuity

at times, he admonished you risking his life.

He refused the taiko's offer

and devoted himself to serving the Date.

Tsunamoto.

Yes?

You were a younger brother to Kagetsuna.

Go to Shiroishi Castle as my representative

to attend his funeral and offer gifts to his altar.

Yes, sir.

Give this message to Kojuro.

Kagetsuna's grave along with Kita's

must be well tended as pillars of the Date clan.

Thank you.

Go get ready.

Yes, sir.

Now then, Shigezane,

although Kagetsuna is gone the Katakura clan is secure.

They have a great heir in Kojuro.

But you have no heir.

Kagetsuna always worried about that.

No need to worry.

As long as the main Date clan prospers

it's fine that the Watari branch perishes.

I can't let that happen.

I will always feel responsible for killing your child.

We promised never to mention that again.

You said you'd adopt Kojuro if Kagetsuna disowned him.

That was just a figure of speech.

Change your mind and have a child.

None of your business.

Who will look after your ancestor's grave?

I haven't decided.

You're not young anymore.

That's right.

That's why I have no intention of remarrying.

Who said you had to remarry?

What?

I'll ask you again,

if you'll take one of my children.

That's out of the question.

It's my fervent wish.

Take Katsujikimaru your adopted son.

It doesn't have to be right now...

when he comes of age.

It will ease my mind if you promise to adopt him.

If in your and Kagetsuna's place,

Kojuro and Katsujikimaru carry on,

Tadamune's rule will be secure.

The mark of a good lord is having good retainers.

I know that from experience.

I'll take him.

What?

If you insist, I can't refuse.

Shigezane.

However...

As long as he becomes my child,

I'll do whatever I want with him.

I won't allow you to interfere.

All right.

Date Mansion, Edo

You're going to Sunpu?

Yes, I'll ask for an audience with the retired shogun

and beg him to spare my husband's life.

He will not see you.

Then I will ask Sir Sokun and the councilors

to intercede on my behalf.

If you overstep your bounds you will make him angrier.

But I can't sit here and do nothing.

- You must not interfere. - Why not?

I am Sir Tadateru's wife.

Sir Tadateru has meekly apologized.

Even his mother has asked for forgiveness

yet Sir Ieyasu has not relented.

Are you asking me to forsake him?

You must persevere and ask for the god's protection.

- That's too cruel. - In any case...

you must obey your father's order

and don't leave Edo.

Mother, I am prepared.

Prepared?

If necessary, I will consider divorce.

What?

If that will spare my husband's life.

Iroha.

The lord will forgive me divorcing him

if it is to save his life.

I'm so glad you said that.

Mother.

Fukaya, Bushu

It's Mondonosho, sir.

- You have a guest. - Who is it?

Lord Tajima, Sir Munenori Yagyu.

So I'm to commit seppuku.

Let him through.

A Happy New Year to you.

Don't be impudent.

I don't want to see your smug face.

What does a martial arts instructor want with me?

Are you here to behead me?

Nothing of the kind.

I'm here today unofficially.

Unofficially?

You want me to divorce Iroha?

That's right.

It's imperative for the sake of the clan.

This is strange indeed.

What do you mean it's for the sake of the clan?

I mean for both the Tokugawa and Matsudaira clans

and by extension of the Date.

I don't get it.

You're being circuitous.

It means you are so belligerent

from the shogun's viewpoint,

you are a thorn in their sides.

Me?

They think there is a danger that

you may be persuaded by those who plan to revolt

after the retired shogun has passed

so you must be destroyed now

to remove the future threat.

Is that what Father said?

Well that's...

Who said so? Is it Brother?

I can't say.

Brother is a coward.

Listen to me.

Princess Iroha is the problem here.

What's wrong with Iroha?

It's your father-in-law that worries them.

Two thorns are more dangerous than one.

If you divorce Princess Iroha

your ties with Sir Date will be severed

and that will set their minds at ease.

And you will be out of danger.

I refuse.

I am a man.

I won't save my life by divorcing my wife.

Princess Iroha wants a divorce.

What?

She told the retired shogun through Sir Date.

That's a lie.

It's true.

She is now living in the Date Edo mansion.

Iroha would not betray me.

It's not betrayal.

She understands this is unavoidable

if you are to get through this crisis.

So she agreed reluctantly.

I know this is unacceptable but please acquiesce for now.

As time passes the shogun may relent.

Perhaps he will permit you to remarry her.

Iroha...

Then you're going to forsake Sir Tadateru?

It can't be helped. He brought it on himself.

We will be ridiculed by the other lords...

that you made your daughter divorce for your own safety.

Let them say what they wish.

I can't believe you're saying this.

Just this spring

you backed Sir Tadateru to be the third shogun.

The turbulent ages are over.

I disagree.

After the Tokugawa, the Date will rule.

Restrain yourself.

Our lord has decided after much consideration.

Put your prejudices aside and listen with an open heart.

It's not that I don't understand how you feel.

But now that I'm fifty, I finally understand.

A man does not choose to rule the country,

it is the country that selects its ruler.

If I was suitable, it will automatically come to me.

If I'm not, there's nothing I can do.

I mustn't bite off more than I can chew.

There's no harm in putting all my efforts into governing.

I agree.

Shigenobu.

Are we still in dire financial straits?

It is extraordinarily tight.

The expenditure for

our compulsory services at Edo and Takada castles

have taken a toll and far exceeds our income.

What about the taxes on mulberry and lacquer?

We've ordered the governors to collect it.

When the snow melts

I'll have to inspect the northern territories.

I'll also have to rethink plans

to connect Kitagami River to Ishimaki River.

A detailed survey is vital to the construction.

No, we have to secure funds first.

If we build the waterway, it will increase the rice tax.

We can't make something out of nothing.

But to make it happen is the finance minister's job.

Then go find a goose that lays the golden egg.

Don't get so heated.

There're many geese in the Date clan.

Although there are many lords in the country,

no other lord has better vassals than I.

You are all my precious geese.

Thank you, sir.

Princess Iroha received divorce papers

from her husband Tadateru.

Don't be disheartened.

Just know this was your fate.

Then you won't feel as bad.

I am not grieving.

If this saves my husband's life I wish for nothing more.

Last night I received a divine message from God.

Divine message?

Yes.

While I was praying,

a gentle purple light permeated the bedroom

and I prostrated.

Then eventually, a kind voice like the wind whispered in my ear.

"People's laws are powerless before me," He said.

"Trust in Me and love each other as husband and wife

and no one can tear you asunder."

No one can tear you asunder.

Even if we divorce, our hearts are joined as one.

God told me I will be Sir Tadateru's wife forever.

February 5.

Masamune's uncle Morishige Kokubun

who had absconded years ago visited Sendai Castle.

Raise your head.

I am happy to see you after a long absence.

I am elated to see you looking so well.

You've grown old.

I hear you're under Satake's protection.

I have been provided a house and am a guest

but it is so cold there...

Don't be selfish.

You absconded on you own free will.

But since I'm sensitive to the cold,

I selected to go to Hitachi which has a warm climate.

But after the Battle of Sekigahara,

Sir Satake was relocated to Akita much to my dismay.

It's not funny.

Your crime of leaving without my permission is severe.

Forgive me.

Why are you here?

I'm here to congratulate you.

- That can't be all. - Tell me the truth.

Sendai used to be Kokubun's fief.

Now living in a foreign land I long for my home

and I had to come.

You must be here to spy on Sendai Castle.

That's not so.

Don't lie to me.

I am now very deaf and my eyesight is bad.

- Sadamune. - Yes?

- Throw him in jail. - Yes, sir.

A drafty stone jail, I think.

Oh no, please hold on.

If not a stone jail, a water jail.

All right.

Not that. Oh, not that.

This way.

What did Satake ask you to do?

- Oww... - Speak!

Ouch. To tell you the truth...

Ow...

The retired shogun's edict of one domain one castle...

Say that again.

I mean, well that's...

how is the Date dealing with this edict?

Will you destroy all other fortifications ?

Did Satake ask you to find out?

Oh no. He didn't ask me.

If I get information on Oshu's premier Date clan,

Sir Satake may reward me.

- How dare you! - Please listen.

Not only Satake

but Mogami, Nanbu, Uesugi all are trying to decide.

Then go back to Akita and tell Yoshinobu Satake.

One domain one castle is the shogunate's decision.

He should destroy all fortifications at once.

- Then in Date fief... - That goes without saying.

- What? - Nothing.

If you're done, begone.

If I could, I want to visit my ancestor's grave.

Grave?

I don't have much longer to live.

I want to pay respects to the Date ancestors.

Although I know I shouldn't have done what I did,

if I hadn't been sent out to be adopted...

I don't want to complain...

It's Kojuro.

Come in.

So you're the demon Kojuro.

A letter from Edo.

Thank you.

I have heard of your bravery.

I can tell you take after Kagetsuna.

Good job.

Shut up, Morishige.

What's wrong?

The retired shogun's condition has worsened.

What?

Ieyasu, who was 75,

fell ill at the end of January

and had taken to his bed.

Masamune, hurriedly made preparations

and left Sendai on February 10,

and arrived in Edo on February 18.

How is Iroha doing?

She has been remanded to Sir Yagyu's mansion

and spends her days practicing the arts.

Poor thing. But it can't be helped.

When will you leave for Sunpu?

Early tomorrow morning.

So soon?

He could go any minute.

Mego?

People die.

You and I will eventually die.

Understand?

Yes.

It's bad news.

The night before I left Sendai

your mother passed away.

She died in her sleep.

I ordered Shigenobu

to bury her with the utmost respect.

We'll have a magnificent funeral at a later date.

Thank you.

I'm sorry you didn't get to see her.

Yes, but we corresponded.

But that's not the same.

Why didn't you come to Sendai with me?

Were you worried about Iroha?

That too, but...

I decided not to see my mother

until Lady Hoshuin returned to Sendai.

That's ridiculous.

I would feel guilty if I saw my mother

and you didn't.

I didn't know.

I'm sorry.

No, I'm sorry.

I made you neglect your mother.

Masamune hurriedly left for Sunpu.

The end for the retired shogun was fast approaching.