Original subtitles

The first battle of Kawanakajima took place in 1553.

The first battle of Kawanakajima took place in 1553.

In Japan it is said that if a man goes outside...

he will have seven enemies.

Unexpected enemies show up, and stand in the way.

Every man has ambitions,

and works to meet his goals.

For example, Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen...

had different goals during the warring era.

Takeda Shingen aimed towards Kyoto,

while Uesugi Kenshin wanted to unify the Kanto area.

Although they had different goals,

they couldn't avoid fighting with each other.

This was the beginning of 12 years of fighting.

(Kawanakajima)

Takeda Shingen

Episode 17: "Encountering the Tiger"

Screenplay: Tamukai Masatake

Original Story: Nitta Jiro

Music: Yamamoto Naozumi

Original Subtitles JN Productions, lnc. (Hawaii)

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles Kame Fansubs

Narrator: Wakao Ayako

CAST

Takeda Harunobu NAKAl KllCHl

Nagao Kagetora SHlBATA KYOHEl

Princess Koi MlNAMlNO YOKO

Gensuke MURAKAMl HlROAKl

Obu Toramasa KODAMA KlYOSHl

Hara Masatoshi KOBAYASHl KATSUTA

Hara Toratane SHlSHlDO JO

Taki YUKl MElKO

Sanada Yukitaka HASHlZUME lSAO

Naoe Sanetsuna UTSUl KEN

Yae OGAWA MAYUMl

Yamamoto Kansuke NlSHlDA TOSHlYUKl

Producer: Murakami Satoshi

Director: Shigemitsu Yukihiko

Please look at this map of Kita-Shinano.

Harunobu drove Lord Murakami from Katsurao Castle,

and sent troops into Yahata, Shioda and Aoyagi,

securing the allegiance of lesser lords.

As for Harunobu,

he was glad that he had reached Zenkoji Plain...

and Kawanakajima that was located there.

Why? Because it was the birthplace of Okoko.

Okoko...

At last I have seen your home.

Kawanakajima is shining!

Toishi Castle, Shinano

So the Tiger of Echigo is making his move?

Yes, it appears so.

Give your report.

Nagao Kagetora has made his decision to attack.

He has approximately 3,000 men and 300 muskets.

How long ago was this?

Three days ago.

Three days?

How many miles is it between his castle and Zenkoji Plain?

About 44 miles.

44 miles?

Thank you.

It takes two days to assemble 3,000.

If they travel 44 miles in two days...

At the earliest, they will arrive at dawn tomorrow.

At the latest, they will reach Zenkoji Plain before sunset.

What shall we do?

First, send spies to watch the Echigo troops.

This is the first time we have fought Echigo.

We must know how they move.

Note every detail. Investigate them thoroughly.

Sanada...

Take a hundred good men to the enemy's rear,

and launch sneak attacks by night.

Leave it to me, sire.

Wait, Sanada.

My lord, I will assume the task.

Sir Hara, don't rush to your death.

Leave the strenuous fighting to the young.

Wait. Sir Sanada, please give me the task.

I am the youngest here.

I am second to none in guerilla tactics.

Gensuke, go with Sanada.

Reporting.

You've returned?

I met my spies near Zenkoji.

The enemy may arrive tonight.

Tonight? Isn't that a mistake? It's too soon.

My men have followed the Echigo army.

It is no mistake.

The army of 6,000 are about 20 miles from Zenkoji.

Wasn't it 3,000 men?

Murakami's men and lords of Kita-Shinano have joined them.

Their numbers might increase.

Be careful, my lord.

Nagao Kagetora is a master strategist.

He takes the enemy by surprise.

Sanada...

Gensuke...

Leave immediately.

Hara...

Go to Obu's camp at Yahata...

and tell him to withdraw to Sarugababa Pass.

Tell him to attack if the enemy approaches the pass.

Otherwise, he must do nothing.

We cannot underestimate the enemy.

We must be certain of their ability.

Know the enemy, without being known.

Therefore, we let them attack as we withdraw.

We will know their strengths by observing their attack.

Nobukado...

Go to Nobushige in Murakami Castle.

Tell him to leave defenders at Katsurao Castle,

fire Koraku Castle, and withdraw to Muroga Pass.

Hurry.

Yes, sire.

Nagao Kagetora...

He seems ready to fight.

We must take them by surprise!

Withdraw our troops?

Yes.

Our lord orders that you withdraw to Sarugababa Pass.

Know the enemy without being known... That is his first rule.

Look at our formation!

We could surround ten thousand enemy troops,

and trap them like rats.

That depends on the rats.

You think we will lose?

What if the rats are large and chew their way out?

The young lord must win honors in his first campaign.

As his guardian, I beg of you.

Please ask Lord Harunobu to allow it.

There is no time.

The Echigo army will soon arrive at Zenkoji Plain.

Please, Sir Hara!

They will not defeat us! Please!

Sir Obu, I'm sorry.

Obey our lord and withdraw your troops.

No! I'll fight!

I will show my father I am capable!

No, my lord!

Though you are the young lord,

it will be treason to disobey your father!

Insolence!

Sir Hara, please understand. Let us fight the enemy!

We will surely win!

Sir Obu. Withdraw your troops immediately.

There is only one leader of the Takeda.

My lord...

We checked all roads leading to Kawanakajima.

There is no sign of the Takeda.

Takeda Harunobu knows we are here, doesn't he?

Why doesn't he ambush us?

Farmers in Sakaki say...

the Takeda left 100 men at Katsurao Castle...

and withdrew to Sarugababa and Muroga Passes.

Where is Takeda's main camp?

We don't know.

They do not show themselves. They must expect a fight.

Reporting.

Takeda spies attacked the supply corps! Five muskets were stolen!

Was anyone hurt?

Eleven were wounded! Five died!

Send 200 men to the rear!

Sire, please return to the main camp.

Tighten security around the main camp.

Takeda Harunobu hides his army in the darkness...

issuing orders from beyond the mountain.

He thinks I cannot see in the darkness.

He waits for me to attack the pass.

Like a god of the mountain, he may wish to frighten me.

But, I will not fall into his trap.

If they hide, let us show ourselves.

At dawn, we attack Katsurao Castle.

We will show Takeda Harunobu our true strength!

Reporting.

Katsurao Castle was attacked and captured by the enemy!

What of the defenders?

Ozo Genpachiro and his men fought magnificently!

They died in flames in the castle!

In the true Takeda spirit!

Harunobu withdrew his troops and turned homeward.

He had lost Katsurao Castle,

but he had taken a step towards becoming a great general.

On his way back to Kofu,

Harunobu visited Princess Koi in Suwa.

Why wasn't I informed?

Forgive me, my lord!

Princess Koi forbade me to tell you.

Some matters are too important to keep secret.

Forgive me, my lord.

Her transparent skin, her withered frame...

It is consumption, isn't it?

Yes.

Welcome home.

Father, welcome home.

Shiro...

You are too big to be carried.

You have really grown in my absence.

Yes. Congratulations on your latest victory.

I am glad you are well, too.

Yes.

Now, your mother is ill in bed.

In my absence, you are master of this house.

Look after your mother.

Yes.

Princess!

It is with great joy that I congratulate you...

upon your recent victory.

How do you feel?

I am gradually recovering.

Come in. It is drafty there.

No. I only came to pay my respects.

Then...

Mother!

Keep away.

You must wait until I am well.

Then, I wish you good health, my lord.

Please, my lord. Keep away.

Please. I have consumption. You must not come near.

Nonsense.

Look at me.

I beg of you...!

Please leave.

Look at me.

I will take your illness from you.

I fear no illness. I wish to save you.

Breathe upon my face.

I will bear the burden of your illness.

Breathe upon me.

I will give my life to save you.

Breathe upon me... all you wish.

My time here is short.

Shiro will now be the bridge between Kai and Suwa.

Think of Shiro as me.

Please, my lord.

You will not die.

We were bound together by destiny.

You can never cut our ties.

As long as I live,

you cannot die.

Live.

Don't think of death.

Dearest heart...

Koi...

Koi.

You should lie down now.

I will never let you go.

I will never let you go.

My son Harunobu believed...

that Princess Koi was the reincarnation of Okoko.

If he ever lost Koi,

he felt that he would lose Suwa and even Kawanakajima.

This is forbidden.

If we are discovered, we could be severely punished.

There is no other place where we can be alone.

What do you want?

Hurry. Tell me.

I'm leaving.

Sir Obu...

Hurry. Tell me what you want.

Please sit down.

Why didn't you allow young Lord Taro...

to distinguish himself in his first battle?

I cannot bear to see my princess so sad...

or the disappointment on the young lord's face.

We obeyed our lord's orders.

We could not refuse.

As the young lord's guardian,

you are his only friend.

Please encourage Lord Taro.

I have and always will.

Lady Sanjo is ever grateful for your help.

Therefore...

when Lord Taro becomes ruler of the Takeda,

you will be head of the retainers...

and receive many parcels of land.

I am grateful, but...

our lord is in good health. Such talk is forbidden.

Oh, no...

these are the innermost thoughts...

of Lady Sanjo and myself.

I wished to tell you how we felt.

Please...

Do not misunderstand.

You are a friend of our young lord,

and I have dedicated my life to Lady Sanjo.

I wish to become close friends.

Two months later, a message by signal fire...

Two months later, a message by signal fire... was sent from Kita-Shinano to Kofu.

was sent from Kita-Shinano to Kofu.

Reporting!

A white signal fire from Kita Shinano was just sighted!

Thank you.

White smoke means the enemy is moving.

Something is happening in Kita Shinano.

A messenger will probably arrive before sunset,

but do you have any orders now?

Assemble 2,000 men.

Is 2,000 enough?

The fields are being weeded,

5,000 would be difficult to get, so 2,000 will do.

Also, please take Taro along on this campaign.

Why?

Taro could not distinguish himself in his first battle.

He was forced to withdraw,

with the enemy before his very eyes.

He should be allowed to prove himself in this battle.

If possible, let him lead the advance guard.

Did Taro complain?

No, that is not it.

I was reminded of the past.

The past?

There was strife between you and Father.

Family strife can destroy a clan.

There is no such strife between Taro and me.

Your words are reminiscent of Father's.

Is that true?

Yes.

Take care that Taro's frustration...

does not turn into hatred.

Do not threaten to revoke his successorship.

Taro has a strong sense of justice.

He even abhors your seeing Princess Koi.

With Shiro also in Suwa, he has much to resent.

Please understand Taro's feelings!

Very well.

I lacked consideration.

I know the grudge I bear against others,

but I cannot see what grudge others hold against me.

Thank you.

I am glad you told me.

Father has been in exile for over ten years,

never to be allowed to return.

It must never happen again.

No matter what happens.

It goes against humanity.

If you should ever forget the incident,

you will never walk the path of humanity.

Kai will be destroyed.

Harunobu turned once more to the north.

He had learned that...

Murakami Yoshikiyo was hiding in Shioda Castle.

Harunobu searched for Murakami Yoshikiyo,

but the army he found at Kawanakajima...

belonged to Nagao Kagetora.

So that is Nagao Kagetora's army?

Beautiful...

Takeda Harunobu, you have finally shown yourself.

That's a fine army.

Look well.

That is the army of Nagao Kagetora of Echigo.

It is a large army, but they make no sound.

A good army is silent, gentle, and beautiful.

His forces are strong.

In battle, they will never flinch,

moving like the dragon god.

Taro...

Yes.

If I should die,

you must lead our troops against such an enemy.

Watch and learn.

Yes.

Return to your company. I pray for your success.

Yes.

Reporting.

A message from Suwa... Princess Koi is gravely ill.

Koi, forgive me.

I cannot leave now.

Take your positions!

They're attacking. Take your positions!

First spearsman!

Attack!

My son and Nagao Kagetora would clash five times at Kawanakajima...

during the course of twelve years.

The most furious battle was the fourth, in 1561.

I will tell you more about it later.

I end my story for tonight.

Lord Harunobu...

Please hurry.

Hurry...!

To be continued.

To be continued.