Original subtitles

With pure loyalty and sincerity,

we call this organization Seichugumi.

In 1854, young vassals of Nariakira formed the...

Seichugumi, but except for Kichinosuke,

none of these lower class vassals...

had ever seen those in the clan's leadership.

The Arimura brothers became victims of the purge,

but other younger vassals began to rise.

In place of Kichinosuke, Okubo Ichiro took over Seichugumi.

Okubo gained a very important role in the Satsuma Clan.

The young Seichugumi vassals will become the...

leaders in the movement for change in the Satsuma Clan.

But, there were some not following the main stream.

Therefore, the structure of Seichugumi started to fall apart.

It was decided they would send troops to Kyoto.

The only thing Okubo needs to do...

is to get Kichinosuke back.

Tobu ga Gotoku

Episode 16: Kichinosuke Returns

Screenplay: Osanai Mieko

Original Story: Shiba Ryotaro

Music: Ichiyanagi Toshi

Original subtitles: TV Network Japan, Inc.

Subtitle Transcription: Rashomon

Timing: Kame Fansubs QC: Avallac'h

Narrator: Kusano Daigo

Cast

Saigo Kichinosuke: Nishida Toshiyuki

Okubo Ichiro: Kaga Takeshi

Iwayama Ito: Tanaka Yuko

Aikana: Ishida Eri

Saigo Shingo: Ogata Naoto

Murata Shinpachi: Masuoka Toru

Arima Shinshichi: Naito Takashi

Ofusa: Manda Hisako

Moriyama Shinzo: Tono Eishin

Komatsu Tatewaki: Ohashi Goro

Saigo Kimi: Oji Michio

Konoe Tadahiro: Yagyu Hiroshi

Shimazu Hisamitsu: Takahashi Hideki

Producer: Yoshimura Fumitaka

Director: Mochizuki Yoshio

December 1861 - Amami-Oshima

Right after his new house was built,

Kichinosuke received a summons to return.

Congratulations! We heard that you're being recalled.

When is the boat coming for you?

I don't know yet.

Kikujiro, this is where your father's boat...

will head out to sea.

If we start to miss Father, we can come here.

This ocean reaches all the way to Satsuma.

And it goes beyond it to Kyoto and Edo.

In January of 1862, Okubo Ichizo made his first trip...

to Kyoto in order to obtain an Imperial sanction...

for Hisamitsu's visit to Kyoto.

I can't have that.

I don't understand what Lord Hisamitsu wants.

What can't you understand?

There's a long-standing shogunate law which...

prohibits the daimyo from visiting Kyoto.

There was an agreement with the late Lord Nariakira...

to have troops brought into Kyoto.

Wait! I'm still under confinement.

Even if there was an understanding,

I'm in no position to act officially.

I understand.

Please inform the Emperor of Lord Hisamitsu's plans.

Okubo! The shogunate has been quiet...

after receiving Princess Kazunomiya in Edo.

Why do you want to stir things up now?

It won't do!

He has no backbone at all.

Is this what a court noble is?

I understand. My duty was to tell you that...

Shimazu Hisamitsu will be coming to Kyoto.

Now that I've told you, I shall be leaving.

Wait!

Wait!

During Ichizo's absence,

certain changes were taking place at home.

Is the shogunate demanding my son's presence in Edo?

Yes. In the 300 years of Tokugawa rule,

a daimyo has never failed to report to Edo for his tour of duty.

Unable to maintain its prestige,

the shogunate is much annoyed.

I shall act as the clan lord's representative.

As the clan leader's representative,

you'll have to go to Edo, not just to Kyoto.

Edo?

Fine. I'll go to Edo, too. It'll be fun to look...

at the cowardly faces of the shogun's councilors.

Give every care to the preparation of my procession.

Now is the time for men of will to leave their clans...

and go to Kyoto and Osaka to take part in this worthy...

deed with the Satsuma forces as masterless samurai.

The country can't be left in the hands of the lords.

It's time for us to move the country!

Let's join forces and die for this great cause!

The feverish frenzy which swept throughout Kyushu...

crossed the sea in no time.

Not to be outdone, loyalists from Tosa and Choshu left...

their fiefs in hordes and prepared to go to Kyoto.

And in Kagoshima where it all began...

Shingo.

Yasuke.

We're here.

Moriyama, too?

I couldn't be left behind by Shingo and the others.

You weren't followed?

Don't worry. Here's some money for the road.

I wish I could be going, too.

So, I put my heart into preparing this food.

I can't stop trembling with excitement.

Though the clan office has been notified,

I regret leaving before Kichinosuke has returned.

Take care of things here for us.

We'll fight your share of the fight.

Be ready to die for the cause.

But don't die needlessly.

We know!

Take care of yourselves!

You, too!

At Amami-Oshima, the boat had arrived for Kichinosuke.

Kikujiro, Daddy has to go away for a while.

But, I promise to come back.

Take care of things while I'm gone.

A man must...

I knew this day would come...

from the time I was pregnant with him.

A man must die when it's time to die.

I don't know what fate awaits me,

but do not weep for me if I should die.

My spirit will come back to you and Kikujiro.

Take good care of yourself.

You, too.

The wind has changed.

We should be putting out to sea.

Arima Shinshichi has deserted the clan?

Why did he when we're already set to go to Kyoto?

He has already submitted an absurd declaration, too!

His group would enter Kyoto independent of us...

and attack Sakai, the shogun's representative,

upon obtaining an Imperial commission.

After that, they would proceed into Kanto.

What insults they put upon Lord Hisamitsu!

I'm going to Kyoto to urge political reforms,

not to overthrow the shogunate.

I hear that there are rumors among the ronin...

that I am leading my troops against the shogunate.

While you were on the road,

how did you find the situation in other fiefs?

There were signs of impending rebellion...

such as you just mentioned.

Unless we put a stop to that, we'll be dragged...

into the turmoil caused by the ronin in Kyoto and...

crushed by the shogunate before we are ready.

That's true.

By your information, these men must be stopped.

I don't want anything to go wrong on this trip.

We must be very cautious.

In the selection of the entourage, Nakayama has been...

overly scrupulous in following Lord Hisamitsu's wishes.

What do you mean?

He dropped the hotheads from the retinue.

The disgruntled ones still wanted a part in this venture,

so they flocked to Arima and have gone to Kyoto.

The ones who really need to be controlled...

are the loyalists from the other clans.

This is a risky matter.

I've already given up my life to do my duty.

Only, I don't have the popularity like Saigo...

to be able to control this movement which has grown...

with additional loyalists from the other clans.

Without Saigo's help, we cannot hope for success.

Please see that Saigo gets to meet...

Lord Hisamitsu as soon as he returns.

I understand.

Kichinosuke went straight to Nariakira's grave upon...

stepping on Satsuma soil after a three year absence.

I didn't notice. I'll pour the tea.

You go and stay by Kichinosuke.

Won't you sit still, Grandmother?

That's Iwayama Ito.

Thank you for helping.

It's like a dream.

It's not a dream, Grandmother.

Kichinosuke will take his place as our leader.

Thanks to you, Shosuke.

It's 'Ichizo' now.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Everyone's been waiting for you.

But, Shingo...

I should like to apologize for that.

I couldn't stop him from leaving the clan.

Never mind. Now that I'm back, you don't need to worry.

What a fine young man you've become, Kohei.

Thank you.

Kichinosuke. Welcome home!

Oh, is that you, Murata Shinpachi?

Please wrestle a round with me.

We'll be done soon.

We're not the same as we used to be.

My, you're strong.

Shinpachi, Kichinosuke just got off the boat.

Kichinosuke, don't give up!

Stop that, Shinpachi!

He won!

That was terrific. I was worried that you might...

have lost your strength being on the island.

I'm very relieved.

Thanks.

Kichinosuke!

Shunsai!

I'm back.

Kichinosuke's unfortunate relationship with Hisamitsu...

began with this meeting.

I am Hisamitsu.

I am Saigo Kichinosuke.

On behalf of Saigo Kichinosuke and myself,

I thank you most happily...

for having him recalled most promptly.

I'm sure that you must know the purpose of this meeting...

for which you were appointed the...

Keeper of the Birds and Gardens and granted an audience.

We have decided to leave for Kyoto on February 25.

If you have any opinions or suggestions,

feel free to voice them.

Indeed, I do have something to say.

To have the Lord of Echizen as regent...

and Lord Hitotsubashi as the shogun's guardian...

is not altogether an impossible proposal.

To obtain an Imperial sanction for it,

proper steps must be taken.

Groundwork must also be laid with the shogunate,

or they'll reject the proposal with all kinds of excuses.

In that event, we're determined to stay...

in Kyoto and confront the shogunate.

How long do you plan on staying in Kyoto?

Prolonging matters with an eye to the situation...

is a ruse used by Court nobles and shogunate officials alike.

I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said...

that you could be there for a year or even more.

It's easy to declare your determination to stay,

but the clan mansion in Kyoto hasn't room enough...

to quarter an army. Were you aware of that?

What about provisions?

1,000 soldiers will need provisions for 1,000;

3,000 will need 3,000 rations.

Furthermore, an indefinite stay will soon deplete...

reserves in Kyoto and cause prices to jump.

Kyoto residents may come to resent Satsuma.

You can't expect to fight...

without planning for provisions first!

And even after you've taken care of the logistics,

the shogunate won't ignore an extended presence...

of an army in Kyoto.

They may turn to the English and French for help.

They could cut off our army and attack Kyoto...

by sending warships to Osaka.

What should we do if that happens?

We must think these over before taking any action,

or Satsuma will only end up looking foolish.

You go too far in your speech!

Though I regret to say it,

I think it's best to postpone this trip.

You are right in saying what you have.

However, we can't postpone this trip...

because we've already given notice.

But, this plan is too poorly conceived.

That's why we're asking for your help.

A am so appalled at such shallow knowledge of...

the country among all of you that I'm speechless.

Enough!

Then you'll postpone your trip?

I'll think about it.

You may go.

Ichizo!

You may have enjoyed Lord Nariakira's favor,

but don't you think that you went beyond rudeness with Lord Hisamitsu?

What if Okubo is punished for his part in your return?

You think that you can do your duty...

by being fearful of reproach?

What?!

Lord Hisamitsu has prestige in Satsuma...

because he's the clan leader's father.

Once outside the domain, his rank counts for nothing.

You've pointed out nothing but our shortcomings.

While I'm at it, let me say this.

The late Lord Nariakira was premier among the lords...

and had support and respect throughout the country.

Lord Hisamitsu is not in the same position...

to do what he tried to do!

If he doesn't realize that,

he's nothing more than a country bumpkin.

What? He called me a country bumpkin?

Saigo is a conceited, insolent wretch...

to call Lord Hisamitsu that.

I can't believe that he'd say such a thing.

Komatsu and Tanimura were there. There's no mistake.

When one has fallen in the world,

and one's sleeve is wet with tears,

one knows what is in another's heart.

There are some who worship the morning sun...

but none who worship the setting sun.

You really do have a wonderful voice.

You mustn't tease an old woman.

To be able to come to a spa with you...

I feel as though I'm dreaming.

So do I.

Don't you have to report for duty at the castle?

Don't you worry about that.

Hello, Sho... I mean, Ichizo.

I asked them to let me wait here.

I'm surprised that a busy lofty official like yourself...

could find the time to come to a place like this.

Grandmother, can you excuse us for a few minutes?

Sarcasm doesn't become you. I don't like it.

The Kichinosuke that I know isn't like that.

I'm sorry for what I did.

It's I who should apologize.

One has to be very careful when presenting an opinion...

to Lord Hisamitsu. Things turned out the way...

they did because I neglected to warn you of that.

No, I wouldn't have done anything differently...

even if you had told me.

I've made it difficult for you.

I'm useless after the three years on the island.

I'm not about to lower my head...

to Lord Hisamitsu at this point.

For me, there is only one master...

Lord Nariakira.

Lord Hisamitsu has acknowledged...

the deficiencies that you pointed out in the plan.

The trip to Kyoto has been postponed to March 16.

He's even sent Moriyama to Osaka...

to make arrangements for the provisions.

Our greatest concern is that the masterless samurai who...

have gathered in Kyoto and Osaka may derive strength...

from Lord Hisamitsu's visit and run wild.

You're the only one who'd be able to control them.

That's why we'd like you to go in advance of us...

and feel out the situation in the other Kyushu clans.

Is that the opinion of the clan officials?

Of course. Lord Hisamitsu also thinks it necessary.

You're to wait for his procession at Shimonoseki.

It was for this day that I worked to get close...

to Lord Hisamitsu, regardless of who said what.

This is the time to show the country...

reverence for the Emperor.

I want you to fill in where Lord Hisamitsu is deficient.

You're the only one who can do that.

Please! I beg of you.

I understand. Please raise your head.

Let's work together.

Recently there are some who are trying to divide...

the mission of the Satsuma Clan.

This will not be tolerated! They will be punished!

Shiraishi Shoichiro's residence in Shimonoseki

What luck! I was going to leave on the next boat.

I never thought that I'd be able to meet you here.

Thanks for your help that day.

Abbot Gessho must have brought us together today.

The time has arrived at last.

Will Lord Hisamitsu definitely go to Kyoto?

Yes, he's already left Kagoshima.

I'm glad to hear that.

If Satsuma fails to act this time,

there will be angry outbursts in Higo and Chikuzen.

It's not only in Kyushu. Kusaka Genzui of Choshu...

says his clan will rise with Satsuma...

to fight for the Imperial cause.

Yoshimura Torataro of Tosa says the same thing.

What became of the provisions?

All's ready in Osaka.

And how are things in Osaka?

Samurai from various domains...

have been gathering in Osaka and Kyoto.

Spirit is mounting higher.

Good!

Arima has been saying that if Lord Hisamitsu didn't...

come out this time, he'd be contacting sympathizers...

from other clans to create a disturbance.

If that isn't just like a Satsuma warrior.

Now's the time for me...

to give up the life which was once spared.

When the time comes, we'll go together.

Then let's go to Osaka on the next boat.

We're supposed to wait here for Lord Hisamitsu.

But we can't just wait here.

You're not thinking of starting anything, are you?

Let's just play it by ear.

One must adapt to each situation.

You're right.

I'll be writing a letter to Lord Hisamitsu.

Can you see that he gets it when he arrives?

It's most inconvenient!

Kichinosuke didn't follow my instructions.

A retainer has no right to do as he pleases!

Kichinosuke probably had a plan.

Plan or no plan, an order is an order.

I'm Saigo Kichinosuke.

I'm Koreda Shoemon, formerly of Chikuzen, Fukuoka.

I'm Shiki Shojiro, also of the same clan.

I'm Ando Sainojo from Higo.

We risked our lives to enter Kyoto...

in order to serve under your command.

Please come in. We can't talk here.

Shinpachi, please show them to my room.

You must be tired. Please come upstairs.

I'd like to order additional meals.

For them?

You had additional meals sent up yesterday.

You'll have them coming every night just to get a meal.

I don't mind.

You can't turn away a hungry man, can you?

Yes.

All right.

Thank you.

You want us to go to Satsuma's clan mansion in Osaka?

Yes. Arima and the others are already there.

I'm from the Geishu clan in Fukuyama.

Don't worry. Just mention my name.

Tenement house #20 has been prepared for you.

If you remain in Kyoto and get arrested as a vagrant,

you won't be able to take part in our plan.

Though I'm ashamed to admit my funds are exhausted,

I'm grateful for your invitation.

A mission can't be accomplished without cooperation.

Thank you for waiting.

You can't fight on an empty stomach.

We're putting you to a lot of trouble.

Afraid that the ronin might get out of hand,

Kichinosuke was doing everything he could...

to keep them under control.

Shingo!

Osaka. Satsuma Clan Mansion

What a surprise! Have you left the clan, too?

Why would he do that when he has a comfortable post?

Lord Hisamitsu ordered me to come ahead,

so I came to see how you were.

What do you mean by that?

Are you an investigator?

Does 'Saigo-don' come here sometimes?

Saigo-don? When did you earn the right to call him that?

That's how he's called by all who love and respect him.

That's right. Kichinosuke's very busy...

so he's staying at the clan mansion.

What do you want with him?

He was away on the island for so long...

I just wanted to see if he was well.

Is that why you came ahead?

Kichinosuke's working hard.

He was Lord Nariakira's most trusted retainer.

The ronin feel secure with him on their side.

I hear that he and Hirano vowed to die together.

Take a good look before you go.

Lord Hisamitsu is a laggard,

but we'll see that he moves this time.

Everyone here left their clans and gathered here...

in the belief that Lord Hisamitsu...

would overthrow the shogunate.

I'll throw my life in with theirs and...

start a campaign to restore the Emperor.

We'll drag Lord Hisamitsu's soldiers and guns...

into our campaign.

Our objective will be Nijo Castle and...

the shogun's representative in Kyoto.

We might take Osaka Castle with the gathering momentum.

How grand!

I wish that I could stay and avenge my brothers.

We're facing the dawn of a new Japan!

Kichinosuke's misfortune lay in the fact that the scout...

sent to investigate them was Arimura Shunsai...

who lacked the proper grasp of the situation.

The radicals have taken over our mansion in Osaka?

I don't think that they've taken it over.

According to Kichinosuke, since the Kyoto residents...

felt uneasy if the masterless samurai hung about the city,

and since unsettling rumors about Satsuma make it...

impossible to convey the true nature of your visit,

he decided, after a discussion with the clan mansion's caretakers,

to gather them there in one place.

They are so worked up that they'll rise with such force...

at your arrival that they'd even seize Osaka Castle.

Is that true?

Kichinosuke is very well known.

Since he has said that he's ready to die for it,

the loyalists are exalting in the spirit of unity,

declaring that the shogunate's tyranny must be crushed.

Place Kichinosuke under arrest!

See? I was afraid that this would happen.

Please wait.

Did you actually hear Kichinosuke say that?

No... that's what everyone was saying.

Who's everyone?

Arima Shinshichi and his group.

And it seems Hirano made a vow in Shimonoseki.

Kill them!

After embarrassing me by not waiting as ordered,

he's stirring up the ronin.

I won't tolerate such liberties.

Please give Kichinosuke a chance to explain.

I've already issued orders to the effect...

that troublemakers will be dealt with firmly.

Lord Hisamitsu is right.

If we let this villain go just because...

he was Lord Nariakira's favorite retainer,

we'll lose control in the future.

I ordered the investigation by Arimura Shunsai.

I need no explanation from Kichinosuke.

Kill him!

Arimura! How could you make such a report?!

To be continued.