Original subtitles

"The Jokisen tea that awakens one from a peaceful sleep..."

"With only four cups, the night is sleepless."

In Kaei 6 (1853),

a fleet of American ships appeared off the coast of Uraga.

It was the Coming of Perry.

Japan's deep slumber of its isolation was disrupted.

Hot debates started everywhere and the nation fell into chaos.

Chief Elder Abe Masahiro tried to fix the situation.

He sent out an unprecedented questionnaire...

to 700 people including townspeople and daimyo lords.

The survey showed the national dichotomy between...

the open country wing who sought the immediate opening of the country...

to learn from other countries and build national strength,

and the exclusionist wing who

feared foreign countries' exploitation of Japan...

and supported the continuance of national isolation policy.

13th Tokugawa Shogun, Iesada

I'm feeling so good that I could roast beans well.

Try it.

Shogun Iesada was sickly.

But Japan had to make an immediate decision...

if it should open up to the world or continue to isolate itself.

The shogunate was being cornered.

Tobu ga Gotoku

Episode 7: Princess Atsu Gets Married

Screenplay: Osanai Mieko

Original Story: Shiba Ryotaro

Music: Ichiyanagi Toshi

Original Subtitles: Network Japan, Inc.

Translation of missing subtitles: Koala Fansubs

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles: Kame Fansubs

Narrator: Kusano Daigo

Cast

Saigo Kichinosuke: NISHIDA TOSHIYUKI

Okubo Shosuke: KAGA TAKESHI

Kiku: TANAKA YOSHIKO

Hotta Masamune: INOUE TAKAO

Fujita Toko: OYAMA KATSUMI

Oyama Katunosuke: KANIE KEIZO

Ikushima: KIKI KIRIN

Okubo Toshiyo: Kitamura Kazuo

Abe Masahiro: WAKABAYASHI GO

Yura: KUSABUE MITSUKO

Princess Atsu: FUJI JUNKO

Tokugawa Nariaki: Kaneko Nobuo

Shinmon Tatsugoro: MIKI NORIHEI

Shimazu Nariakira: KAYAMA YUZO

Producer: Yoshimura Fumitaka

Director: Kida Hoki

Satsuma Domain head,

Shimazu Nariakira remained in serious condition.

People around him just prayed for his recovery.

They were spending restless days.

Saigo...

Saigo?

Yes, I'm here.

Saigo!

Lady Ikushima...

The Lord...?

Steady, Ma'am. Is he all right?

The doctor says that he's passed the crisis.

Then...?

Princess Atsu and Lady Kiku are with him now.

"I've caused you to worry," he said.

Did he say that?

Thank goodness!

The gods protected him.

And since that night,

our lord has been on the road to recovery.

I suspect that it was a curse.

Shosuke, please keep a close watch on the activities...

of Yura's confederates and her son Saburo.

My Lord!

I hear you appealed to the Acala for my recovery.

Yes!

I've given everyone some anxious moments.

Tell your young friends they don't need to worry.

Yes!

Good things come in pairs.

My application for Torajimaru's marriage to...

a princess from the Konoe family has been approved.

I offer you my most sincere congratulations.

Therefore, I've decided to pardon...

those who were punished during the Takasaki Fiasco.

I've sent word back to Satsuma by courier,

but I wanted to let you know.

Lord! Thank you very much!

Thank you very much!

What good news!

Now, Shosuke's father will be able to return home.

Let's drink up tonight.

We'll celebrate our lord's recovery.

All right. I'll join you tonight.

That's our leader!

We'll see to getting sake.

Justice did prevail, didn't it Kichinosuke?

I was going to attack the Takanawa Mansion...

if anything had happened to our lord.

You must not do anything base.

Justice must be served properly.

But, the scales of justice do not always balance.

Nariakira's son, Torajimaru, was struck...

by a sudden onset of high fever and diarrhea,

and ended his all too brief life at the age of 6.

Torajimaru!

Kichinosuke, this is the doing of Yura and her confederates.

We can't let them get away with it!

We won't.

Then...

We'll kill them.

But, it's not enough to kill that evil woman.

Why?

There are still those back home who are trying...

to get our lord out of the way so that Yura's son...

can be Satsuma's clan chief.

We must be rid of them all.

That's right.

How do we arrange that?

First, let me write Shosuke.

While Shosuke's getting our comrades together,

we will look for evidence to prove Yura's guilt.

This was found at Takanara's Inari Shrine.

Wait!

It's better for the young warriors of Edo and Satsuma...

to be on this together.

I agree.

Once we begin, we cannot fail.

We'll get everything ready while waiting for Shosuke's reply.

I understand.

I can't stress this enough...

We must be of one heart and be ever loyal.

Seichugumi... (Band of Loyal Ones)

We'll show our loyalty through our sincerity.

We were taught to believe in loyalty...

and to put duty before life or possessions.

So why don't we call ourselves "Seichugumi?"

Seichugumi? That sounds good.

You be the leader of the Seichugumi.

Welcome home. How are you?

Now that I'm home,

I must try to get back into things gradually.

You were away for such a long time.

Now that I'm back,

it doesn't feel like I was away that long.

By the way, how is Toshi these days?

Despite the medicine you've been sending,

she's still the same.

She'll perk up if she sees her husband.

Don't be silly.

Kichinosuke is far away, but he hasn't been exiled.

He's in Edo serving our lord.

Although Shosuke was appointed to the treasury,

the Saigo family had to sell their house.

Since Taka got married,

it's easier to maintain a smaller place.

Oh yeah, my congratulations to Kichi.

Thank you.

She got married late because of my situation.

Now, everyone who was involved in the Takasaki Fiasco...

have been cleared.

The Seichugumi will carry on where they left off.

Seichugumi?

We're in the process of forming a new group.

It's formed from loyalty, a life for a life.

Watch us, Father.

Never again will the Satsuma clan have another Takasaki Fiasco.

We read your letter with much excitement.

When we appealed to the others for support,

not one man hesitated.

The Seichugumi has been organized in Satsuma.

While we await your instructions from Edo,

we are training night and day...

so we can move into action immediately.

I thought I saw something suspicious around here.

Quiet. We're right under the lord's bedchamber.

Looks like they were about to bury something.

I'm here in response to your summons.

You're up to something, aren't you?

Don't do anything rash and cause me further grief.

Lord...

Digging under the house won't uncover anything.

Fearing detection,

the villain fled before he could bury the evil charm.

You're overly suspicious.

No, we're not.

When Master Torajimaru was ill,

we discovered a straw doll of a 6-year old boy...

at Takanawa's Inari Shrine.

Master Torajimaru died at the age of 6.

Don't mention Torajimaru!

There are many 6-year olds in the world.

But...

I don't believe in curses!

What end will it serve...

by believing in such things and killing people?

We will be avenging Master Torajimaru's death.

By resorting to violence, you'll incur my father's ire.

It will divide Satsuma and cause dissension once more!

Do you think Torajimaru would have liked that?!

Reporting. Your father has come to call.

I've been expecting him. I'll be right there.

Oh, you're looking a lot better than I expected.

I'm much relieved.

I'm truly sorry to cause you one worry after another.

We were really worried.

What would happen to the house of Shimazu...

if anything had happened to you?

I'd like to say something regarding that matter.

I would like to adopt Saburo's eldest son.

You mean Matajiro?

I would like to make Matajiro my heir.

That might not be a bad idea.

Aren't you being a little premature?

Why?

I hear Lady Kiku is with child again.

She may have another son.

Shouldn't you wait until the child is born...

to decide upon your heir?

No, we must decide now to prevent chaos later.

I've been prone to illness lately.

I've come to realize how fleeting life is.

How true.

It saddens me to have my grandchildren precede me in death.

Isn't that so, Yura?

Yes, his grief was so great...

that I couldn't bear watching him.

Lord!

You must not do that!

What are you talking about?

We will discard our plans to punish the evil ones...

if you will cancel your plan to adopt Saburo's son.

I have no son to succeed me.

Lady Yura made a valid point.

You can postpone your decision until...

after Lady Kiku has had her baby.

Kichinosuke...

Yes?

I'm now 46. Even if I lived another 10 years,

the child, even if he is a boy, will be only 10.

He will be too young to be the clan chief.

Please remember the Takasaki affair.

Your loyal followers were compelled to act...

in order to crush the villains...

who supported your brother because they...

wanted you for their clan chief.

The spirit of those who were ordered to death at...

that time by your father still lives on in us.

If Matajiro becomes your heir,

I will not be able to restrain the Seichugumi.

Kichinosuke...

Do you think that I do not grieve for my sons?

I can't bear to put another child in danger.

Lord...

For the men of Satsuma to fight among themselves...

when enemies from abroad are approaching us...

And for you to be their leader... it's deplorable.

My Lord...

Don't let me grieve again. Understand?

Yes!

I can only ask you to understand...

We understand.

I still feel like cutting them to pieces,

but we must be loyal to our lord...

by going along with his wishes.

Then you understand?

We understand.

You were going to slit your belly...

if we had opposed it, weren't you?

It must hurt to commit hara-kiri,

but it can't be helped.

Shunsai and I will leave for home earlier.

We must tell Shosuke what Lord Nariakira said directly.

Our unity will disintegrate...

if they thought we merely had a change of heart.

Abe Masahiro's Mansion

I was able to determine the ability of Saigo Kichinosuke,

whom I mentioned earlier.

I will involve him in various matters...

which concern the shogun's house.

Please guide him as you see fit.

I understand.

If you will take care of the various lords,

I will handle the members of the cabinet.

The Mito faction will raise much resistance...

and false accusations will come from the Inner Palace.

It's something that must be done.

It must give one a sense of accomplishment.

Exactly.

I've summoned you two for this reason.

Kichinosuke...

Yes.

I want you and Ikushima to work on getting...

Princess Atsu into the Inner Palace of Edo Castle.

I'm not quite sure I understand...

Ever since he lost his wife,

the Shogun has been alone.

Princess Atsu will be promoted for his new wife.

This marriage is vital to the future of Japan.

You two will be responsible...

for seeing that this marriage comes about.

Saigo, this is my room.

You may leave.

Won't you come in?

But...

But what?

But I'm a gardener.

Do you expect me to discuss important matters...

in the middle of the garden?

Ugh, no...

Or that I, Ikushima, attendant to Princess Atsu,

call at your men's quarters in the tenement?

That would be quite impossible.

In that case, come on in.

I will leave the doors open...

so there will be no cause for worry.

We're about to have an important discussion.

I promise that I will not act dishonorably.

I won't care if you do.

But, the best way to prevent eavesdropping...

is to talk in the middle of the room with the doors open.

I see.

If you understand, come in.

All right, Ma'am. Pardon.

Now, then...

May I ask you something before we begin?

Would a country bumpkin like me be capable...

of carrying out such an important task?

Saigo...

Why has Lord Nariakira been sending you...

on errands to the lords of Mito and Echizen?

You're known as a man of greater worth...

than you think you are.

Lord Nariakira is a very farsighted man.

You must be prepared to put your life on the line.

But, will Princess Atsu be happy marrying the Shogun?

Don't ever ask me that.

Yes.

Kichinosuke and Ikushima have been very busy.

If it's for Lord Nariakira, I'd like to help, too.

But those two won't tell me anything.

Just when Ikushima and I have become very close.

What will I do if she's not around?

I feel so sorry for you.

No, it's all right. I'm just being impatient.

They worked intensely, with Kichinosuke gaining...

familiarity at the clan mansions of Mito and Echizen,

while Ikushima garnered connections at the castle.

Nonsense!

Satsuma has been an enemy since Shogun Ieyasu's time.

Everyone knows that they sided with the Toyotomi...

and fought against the Tokugawa at Sekigahara.

- Excuse me... - Silence!

She may have been adopted by the Konoe family,

but it's outrageous to make a Satsuma girl...

the wife of the Shogun!

- You may be right... - Of course I am!

What if that country wench conceives the Shogun's child?

Lord Nariakira would be the child's grandfather...

and he will try to gain control over the Tokugawa.

How will we maintain our dignity?

Away with you!

I will not leave.

True, this is a political marriage which will join...

the Shogun's house to that of an outer daimyo.

See?

However, Lord Nariakira is only thinking about...

the future of the Shogun's house.

Since Shogun Iesada does not have an heir,

someone from the branch family will be chosen...

to succeed him as is the custom.

If we hope to see an intelligent heir named from...

among the branch families, Lord Nariakira is of the opinion...

that Princess Atsu should be wed to the Shogun...

to promote the candidate in the Inner Palace.

What a painstaking process.

Yes, it is.

Lord Nariakira knows who your candidate is.

The shogun's closest blood relatives are...

Sir Yoshitomi in Kishu.

Nonsense!

Yoshitomi is still 9-years-old.

Then, the only candidate for the heir will be...

your son, who was adopted by the Hitotsubashi family.

If he becomes the heir, even Lord Nariakira cannot...

gain control over the Tokugawa by ignoring you.

You're right.

Things are going in the right direction.

It'll take a while to persuade other lords and shogunate officials.

To focus on this matter, I'll resign from the office Chief Elder.

Sir Hotta will take over my office.

What a drastic strategy.

Since I've been too friendly to you,

people started complain.

When Sir Abe asked me,

I thought it would make him easier to work for that.

I might not be good enough,

but I decided to help him by taking over his office.

Thank you for taking the tough job.

ELDER HOTTA MASAYOSHI

- However... - However?

Nothing is the same, except for three of us.

Stubborn folks must have called us...

"friends of blue-eyed westerners."

To engineer Princess Atsu's marriage with the shogun,

Nariakira showed the power of Satsuma Domain.

He built the first steamship in Japan, Unko-maru,

and had it go upstream on the Sumida River.

What on the earth is that?

That banner with a picked plum on a white background?

You don't know that, dork?

Yeah? Is that thing called dork?

Oh! Hello, Boss!

That thing is made by Lord Satsuma...

to distinguish foreign ships from our ships,

because more big ships will be built in our country.

The sun on a white background.

It's our entire country's banner now.

Airhead, I already...

- ...didn't know that. - Huh?

Isn't that great?

It would be even greater if those are all shogun's ships.

Absolutely.

I'm going now, Ma'am.

I'm counting on you.

- Please be careful, Lady Ikushima. - I will.

Princess.

Princess...

I need to have a little talk with you, Ikushima.

Oh, then...

I will come over to your room later.

No, you may see me here.

- You can't. - I don't care.

Come in, Kichinosuke.

Princess?

Saigo has an important errand from the Lord.

You can't keep him.

Hurry, go.

Excuse me, Ma'am.

What are you doing?

You're a princess of the Konoe family. How disgraceful.

That's why I decided to go back to Satsuma.

Oh, my.

I'm a daughter of a small manor in Satsuma.

I've come all the way to Edo.

But I don't seem to be as helpful as you.

Then, I just have to ask the lord to dismiss me.

Are you trying to threaten me?

Draw your own conclusions.

Why you don't tell me clearly?

Ikushima.

Whose concubine am I going to be?

Princess...

I'm not a child any more.

What else can a girl do for her family?

Are you prepared to hear that?

I am.

Then, I'll tell you.

I'm working for you to marry into the shogun's family.

Shogun's family?

Yes.

Until you become the shogun's wife,

it will take a little while.

Please be patient.

After a Konoe princess,

shogun's wife?

Ikushima, you really like surprising people.

Ikushima?

Is that my mission?

Yes.

I see.

- You told her. - Yes.

Please forgive me.

If her wedding becomes official,

I just want to lavishly prepare for it.

- Kichinosuke. - Yes.

I order you to do all the preparations, such as her dresses...

furnishing goods, accompanying maids and souvenirs for the Ooku ladies.

If I may humbly speak,

I have never seen any princess' wedding furnishings.

I'm not right for such a big role.

You have plenty of time.

Gold, silver, tortoise shells, glasswork...

As a samurai, who will compete on a worldwide level,

you must develop a fine appreciation for eastern treasures.

I truly appreciate your words, but...

you are asking me too much, sir.

- You don't get it, Saigo? - Yes?

Even if she'll become shogun's wife,

she has no idea what kind of life she'll lead in the Ooku.

You and I have been working...

to make her lead such a life.

The Lord wants you to prepare every item with your heart...

as a token of his atonement.

Atonement?

Every time she sees the items you prepare,

she will remember her homeland.

That's why I want you to do this task.

Yes, sir!

After many bumps and detours, Princess Atsu was...

officially selected as Shogun Iesada's wife in Ansei 3 (1856).

You're finally having a big day tomorrow.

Yes.

I want to pray for your happiness, but...

I want to beg your forgiveness now.

What are you saying?

I told you in Satsuma, "I would be happy to help you."

I still feel the same way.

Well said.

Right now, Japan is having a fateful crisis.

Your marriage with shogun is for the sake of our country and people.

Yes.

Once you enter Edo Castle,

I want you to assist His Excellency to select Sir Hitotsubashi as his heir.

That's your mission.

Yes.

However,

it isn't easy to help His Excellency make up his mind,

because different people represent different interests in the Ooku.

Ikushima already told me about that.

I will do my best.

That will be possible...

only when you and your husband love each other.

I still have something...

that I haven't told you about His Excellency.

Yes.

His Excellency is in delicate health.

Yes.

It's...

less likely for you to conceive his child.

His Excellency was born...

unable to perform in bed.

Born as a human,

without exchange of love or hope of bearing a child,

your life will be buried in the Ooku.

It's too late now,

but I feel...

However,

I want you to work as a daughter of the Shimazu clan.

Yes.

At risk of my life,

I will do what you said.

Thank you.

After you leave Satsuma and enter the Ooku,

I might not get to see you again.

Take care of yourself, please.

My lord.

Please stay well.

Ikushima.

Bring the cup.

Yes.

To be continued.