Original subtitles

So, if the unrest grows, it gives Lord Nariakira...

more reason to come to Kyoto to protect the Court.

Gessho was the abbot of Kiyomizu Temple's Joju-in...

during the closing days of the shogunate.

A Royalist priest, he was active in Kyoto politics.

Born in 1813 as the son of a town doctor,

Gessho entered the priesthood at age 15...

and became the superior of Joju-in at 23.

His ideology and activism were fostered through such...

disciplines as making of long rounds about the city.

Gessho's interest in poetry made him...

a regular visitor at the Konoe residence.

At that time, the Konoe were actively engaged in...

promoting 'kobu-gattai' [Court-shogunate unity].

It was a time when direct contact between...

the samurai and Court nobles was forbidden.

Using his position as the abbot of Joju-in,

Gessho tightened the ties between the Konoe family...

and Nariakira's and Saigo's Satsuma clan.

But, Regent Ii's hand of oppression extends even...

to Gessho, forcing him to leave Kyoto and...

head down to Satsuma with his trust upon Saigo.

Tobu ga Gotoku

Episode 12: Kichinosuke's Suicide

Screenplay: Osanai Mieko

Original Story: Shiba Ryotaro

Music: Ichiyanagi Toshi

Original subtitles: TV Network Japan, Inc.

Subtitle Transcription: Rashomon

Timing and QC: Kame Fansubs

Narrator: Kusano Daigo

Cast

Saigo Kichinosuke: Nishada Toshiyuki

Okubo Shosuke: Kaga Takeshi

Aikana: Ishida Eri

Okubo Masu: Kaku Chikako

Ichiki Koto: Sakai Noriko

Kiku Tanaka Yoshiko

Moriyama Shinzo: Tono Eishin

Oyama Kakunosuke: Kanie Keizo

Nagano Shuzen: Ito Takao

Saigo Kimi: Oji Michio

Gessho: Nomura Mannojo

Okubo Toshiyo: Kitamura Kazuo

Ii Naosuke: Kamiyama Shigeru

Producer: Yoshimura Fumitaka

Director: Mochizuki Yoshio

Satsuma was said to be doubly isolated.

Border security was so tight that...

entry was difficult for government agents,

not to mention unauthorized outsiders.

Kichinosuke and the others continued in their efforts...

to enable Gessho to enter Satsuma.

After I stop by at Moriyama's place,

I'll go and see Sir Niiro again.

I'll go and threaten Bungo's men.

Even if Hirano Kuniomi is with him,

it would be terrible if the abbot got killed at the border.

I'd be grateful if you'd do that.

Kichinosuke, will you stop that constant bowing?

The Seichugumi is duty-bound to the late lord...

to see this through even at the risk of our lives.

Could this be...?

Yes, it's the gift from Korea...

once bestowed by Lord Shigehide.

Give it to Sir Niiro when you meet with him.

I've heard that this is quite a rarity.

That's why I want to put it to good use.

Although I am a merchant,

I love my homeland just as much as you do.

I've always felt bitter about being called...

an upstart samurai who bought his position.

Hold on there.

I take no umbrage.

If this can be used to save Abbot Gessho,

it'll be worth it.

I'm one of the Seichugumi.

Let me contribute by doing what I do best.

I understand. Since the situation is urgent,

I shall accept this gratefully.

You're a proper member of the Seichugumi.

It isn't fair to let you bear so much of the expenses.

Thank you very much.

I've already put in the request...

without you having to urge me.

So, he won't see me?

Lord Narioki means to change the Western-style army...

which Lord Nariakira worked so hard to create...

back to its former state.

Lord Narioki is surrounded by guileful advisors who...

tell him that the late lord squandered the clan funds...

and they won't let me near him.

Please forgive me, Kichinosuke.

Everything has changed.

The frantic pleas of Kichinosuke and his friends...

went unheeded and entry remained denied to Gessho.

I have come to ask you for your help.

Everything has changed now.

It was our late lord's dying wish that...

Saburo serve as Matajiro's advisor.

But with Lord Narioki back in Satsuma, it's only natural...

for him to relinquish that role to his father.

It's true that Saburo looked up to his brother,

but he was never one to like new things.

He believes in giving precedence to the elder.

In fact, he's very like his father.

However, if Abbot Gessho is able to enter Satsuma,

I shall shelter him here.

My lady!

It will be my final service to Lord Nariakira.

Thank you very much!

He's back! Master's back!

Kichinosuke! Quickly!

What's wrong?

Abbot Gessho!

Am I dreaming?

We entered town at dawn and went to Zonryu-in Temple.

A priest from there makes a yearly visit to Kyoto.

I came here after resting there.

Why are you alone? Where is Hirano?

He's sleeping like a dead man.

He must be exhausted from leading us here.

I've put you through much hardship.

If anything had happened to you, I'd have killed myself.

I didn't want you to do anything rash,

so I did my best to get here.

I thought many a time that I wouldn't make it,

but Buddha was watching over me after all.

I'm so glad.

However, someone had already informed...

the clan office of Gessho's entry.

Gessho and his party were transferred to lodgings...

used by envoys and weren't allowed any visitors.

What a fine room this is!

Even the spread is lavish.

So much food after all those days...

will be a shock to my stomach.

Jusuke, this is what it means to be alive.

Let's enjoy the food.

There's no other way.

How troublesome of him to seek refuge in our domain.

Wait! Should we decide this by ourselves?

Shouldn't we inform the young lord?

The shogunate has not yet confirmed...

the young lord's appointment as the new clan chief.

It would be terrible if anything came in the way of it.

Then, shouldn't we get Lord Narioki's opinion?

No, this is for us to decide.

This must be resolved without involving Lord Narioki...

and the young lord or it will jeopardize the house.

Souda, you talk to Saigo Kichinosuke about this.

Me?

Didn't you serve in Edo with Saigo?

I did my best to persuade them,

but we just received word of shogunate officials...

headed for our border in pursuit of Abbot Gessho.

We never expected them to come this far.

Abbot Gessho is to be sent to Hyuga,

and you've been ordered to escort him.

Do everything you can to protect him.

Only, you must get him out of town today.

I understand.

Take him to Hyuga? Souda said that?

He didn't come right out and tell me to kill him,

but leaving him in the mountains at the frontier...

without sustenance is the same as leaving him...

to die of starvation and exposure.

Is this the kind of decision rendered by the leaders...

of Satsuma, famed for courage and loyalty...

since the Kamakura era? It's the end of the world.

They never intended to aid Abbot Gessho.

They didn't want the shogunate officials...

to apprehend Abbot Gessho in town.

That's why they're sending him to Hyuga.

It makes me furious!

I should have followed Lord Nariakira in death.

How can I face him if I kill Abbot Gessho?

You weren't ordered to kill him, were you?

Let's call the Seichugumi together and think up...

a way for Abbot Gessho to survive in the mountains.

It's no use.

Let me venture to say something.

You're acting manly, but aren't you being too rigid?

There's no time.

A boat awaits us in the harbor with hoisted sail.

They're good at making this kind of arrangements.

I was wrong to have asked Abbot Gessho to come here...

where men have been cowed by the shogunate.

I'm going to apologize...

for Satsuma's treachery to Abbot Gessho.

That order came very suddenly.

I'll explain in detail after we're on the boat.

The pursuers have crossed the border.

They're concerned about you being seen.

I see. I'll wake Jusuke right away.

Abbot Gessho...

I understand.

I'll go wherever you go.

I place myself in your hands.

Men overboard!

Abbot Gessho!

Saigo!

Stop the boat! Lower the sail!

Quiet down! Leave quickly!

We're telling you to get out of the way!

My brother was seen being brought here.

What have you done with Kichinosuke?

I'm under orders. I can't tell you!

Don't bother. Just let us see Kichinosuke.

We'll force our way in!

I'm under orders! Don't you understand?

I'll use my sword!

Halt!

We're not afraid of having to seppuku.

Saigo was acting under our late lord's orders.

Even if he's dead, we're not leaving him...

for you to do as you will!

Don't worry. Saigo's alive, at least.

What do you mean? Who died?

I don't know.

And you call yourself a Satsuma warrior?

I'll let two of you in.

But! I forbid you to tell anyone about it.

It was evening by the time Kichinosuke was declared...

dead and permission given to claim the corpse.

Aren't you Hirano?

I'm Okubo Shosuke of the Seichugumi.

I'm Moriyama, also of the same.

I've heard much about you from Saigo.

When I heard that someone was playing the flute,

I rushed here, hoping it was you.

And you were right.

I was told to leave quietly by way of Okuchi Road,

but I couldn't leave without a word.

I purposely played my flute so I'd be noticed.

I was bidding farewell to Abbot Gessho.

Then, this is...?

The ocean was so cold that even...

young Saigo's life was in danger.

It was too much for Abbot Gessho who was already...

tired from his long journey. It's really too bad.

I feel the same.

And, how is Saigo?

His respiration is weak and he's still unconscious.

He's very important to Japan.

Please take care of him.

We owe it all to this officer, who got us quickly...

back to port so that we could get a doctor.

Don't talk to me. I'm supposed to be the guard.

I see nothing and I hear nothing.

Then...

This is a parting gift. There is 5 ryo...

I'm very grateful.

I didn't have a penny to my name.

With this, I'll be able to return to Kyoto.

To Kyoto?

I want to see with my own eyes,

how wildly the storm rages.

A song comes to me...

Compared to the fire smoldering in my breast,

'Tis but a wisp that rises from Sakurajima's crest.

Compared to the fire smoldering in my breast,

'Tis but a wisp that rises from Sakurajima's crest.

Grandmother, I'll take over now.

Please get some rest.

I can't. He might stop breathing while I rest.

He won't. Brother will get well.

Father and Mother are watching over him.

Grandmother, he's saying something!

Brother...

Kichinosuke.

Abbot Gessho...

Kichinosuke!

Please open your eyes!

Open your eyes!

Saigo Kichinosuke...

Perhaps, we should send him away for a while.

You mean exile him?

Stupid! That would be like pandering to the shogunate.

He was favored by the previous clan chief.

Change his name and hide him on some island.

While you're at it, prepare a grave.

We can lie about his death,

but his pursuers were sent by Lord Ii.

They may ask to see his grave.

Fill it with the remains of a dead vagrant or a convict.

It was mid-December by the time...

Kichinosuke was able to leave his bed.

Kichinosuke...

It's a fine day. And you're looking better.

I managed to get some fine ginseng.

Use it to get your strength back.

Thank you, but it'll be wasted on me.

What are you saying?

You promised not to talk like that again.

Once a person is dead, it's the end for him.

But if he keeps on living, there's always another day.

No matter how they deal with you, it's your duty...

to go on living and follow Japan's fate.

Arima and Hori have returned from Kyoto.

Don't you want to hear about the situation in Kyoto and Edo?

Tell me.

Ii's tyranny knows no fear of heaven.

He has not only confined Mito and his kinsmen, but also...

Lord Date of Uwajima and Lord Yamanouchi of Tosa.

Even Hashimoto Sanai and Abbot Gessho's brother...

have been arrested among others.

Sanai, too?

The shogunate has gone mad!

That's why this is no time to be blaming yourself!

First, you must get your strength back.

You are our leader.

You've got to give the orders when it's time.

Koto, can you prepare this for your brother?

I shall be leaving.

Thank you.

Not at all. I'll come again and...

tell you what happens at tonight's meeting.

Thank you.

Is it true that Echizen will call up his troops?

He was forced to retire.

Lords Yamanouchi and Date are not free either.

I don't believe that the clan alliance of Royalists is dead.

Other clans must have young men like us...

who are incensed by the shogunate's methods.

We should arise with other like-minded men.

That would be the men from Mito.

If Mito and Satsuma took action,

I'm sure Echizen and Tosa would take action, too.

If the clan leaders can't move, we should all leave our clans...

and work as commoners to topple the shogunate.

Leave the clan?

We've come to that point. Don't you think that's...

what our late lord would have wanted?

You're right.

Ii's Ansei Purge ran counter to the general opinion...

and aroused thoughts of overthrowing...

the shogunate among the loyalists.

If we ease up now, we'll lose too much ground.

We must punish those who must be punished...

even if they are Court nobles.

Shall we begin by crushing Konoe?

Yes, and every single noble who supported Hitotsubashi.

How they'll tremble.

It's outrageous of the Court to meddle in politics.

We must show them their proper place.

Though he has opposed the signing of the trade treaty,

the Emperor had to relent when those connected...

with the Court began to be arrested.

This aroused the wrath of the Royalists once again.

Meanwhile in Kagoshima,

Kichinosuke was ordered to Amami-Oshima.

He's to leave for Yamagawa Harbor at once?

Then, he's to go to Oshima on a sugar transport ship.

I was the one who received the notice.

It's up to you whether to accept it or not.

Are you going to do as they say?

You must not!

What if they kill you on the island?

That's what worries me, too.

Run away, Kichinosuke.

Thanks, but I'm not running away.

You're too important for Satsuma and Japan to let die.

You're the head of the Seichugumi...

and meant to carry on our late lord's work.

Without the head, what becomes of the members?

Nothing.

Ever since I regained consciousness,

I've been thinking about many things.

Like what?

Why did Abbot Gessho die and I didn't?

Listen!

Heaven did not let me die.

Heaven?

I've decided to leave my fate to Heaven.

If an assassin awaits me on the island,

that's the fate heaven has in store for me.

If Heaven deems me necessary...

and doesn't forsake me, I'll go on living.

Listen.

I've no intention of dampening the spirit of...

the Seichugumi at a time when you're all of one mind.

But you must watch for the right time...

to leave the clan and go to Kyoto.

You told me that death is the ultimate end.

You're right.

You must not rush to throw away your lives.

Don't make a move until Heaven give the sign.

Do you understand?

Enthusiasm alone won't accomplish anything.

I realize that now.

Prepare carefully and watch for the right time.

I'm counting on you to take care of Grandmother.

Each time you left for Edo,

I'd think that I'd never see you again.

But this time, I know that I'll never see you again.

What are you saying, Grandmother?

You must be strong and wait for Kichinosuke's return.

I'm a bad grandson who has caused you nothing but worry.

Divested of his post as gardener and overseer...

on the foot and renamed Kikuchi Gengo, Kichinosuke...

headed for Yamagawa Harbor as the year drew to a close.

Happy New Year.

May I count on your help this year, too.

The same here.

I'd like to go to Yamagawa as something concerns me.

Is it about Kichinosuke?

No, it's about what to do while he's gone.

I have some questions.

But it's New Year's.

That's why he may not be guarded closely.

Though they're waiting for the wind,

they could put out to sea any day.

I'll start packing.

I've already packed everything.

As you foresaw, everyone in the Seichugumi...

was angered at your being sent away...

and wanted to leave the clan immediately.

I'm not one to hang back,

but you told me to wait until the time was ripe.

I came to see you because I wanted to be sure that...

I got everything right. Please instruct me.

The situation in Osaka will probably change.

If it does, keep just one thing in mind.

The 'tosshutsu' [thrust] is up to any clan,

but always consult the Echizen clan first.

If Echizen stands up, Chikuzen, Inshu, and Choshu...

will follow after observing the situation.

Don't delay when that happens. Do it.

But, if you die without waiting for the right time,

you will not be helping Japan.

Secondly...

Please wait.

If we are to be guided by your advice,

can you write it down for us?

'Tosshutsu' meant leaving the clan and taking up arms.

This would be the first directive from Saigo Takamori...

who would become a key advisor in the Meiji Restoration.

On this day, a young life came to an end.

It was that of Tetsumaru, Shimazu Nariakira's last son.

My Lord...

Tetsumaru...

Amami-Oshima

Are you Kichinosuke?

I'm here to welcome you. You must be tired.

Kichinosuke! Ii is punishing the Court people.

Everybody is compromising and Kujo got the Kanpaku position back.

Our Satsuma Clan samurai are dying quickly.

I'm mortified! This is so frustrating!

I am thinking, Kichinosuke.

Ii is manipulating the Shogun's power.

Then I thought I would get close to that power.

I need to get close to Saburo who is next in line...

to get that power.

Of course, we know that we hate Saburo...

but, I dare to say...

that's a small thing...

but to achieve our purpose we use whatever means it takes.

Kichinosuke, as you needed the previous Lord,

I need Saburo.

In order to achieve our goal, we need to use the powerful people.

It's not shameful to use this method if your purpose is right.

In order to do that, I will suffer this humiliation.

This time I have decided to do this!

To be continued.