Original subtitles

I'm Saigo Kichinosuke.

Kyoto was seething.

Fired with fever of monarchism, loyalists thronged to Kyoto.

They visited each other and exchanged information.

The Teradaya in Fushimi was Satsuma clan's regular inn.

There were rows of inns in the district around...

the Yodo River which links Kyoto with Osaka.

Here the loyalists made their initial stop.

There are also many inns, like the Ikedaya,

around the Sanjo Bridge where the Tokaido Highway ended.

The loyalists also entered Kyoto from here.

In the Edo period, Kyoto saw very little of the samurai.

But their number burgeoned at the close of the period.

For instance, during 1862-1863,

forty daimyo entered Kyoto.

Each was accompanied by about 1,000 men.

The clan mansions couldn't accommodate everyone,

so the nearby temples became temporary lodgings.

Kyoto changed from a town of aristocrats to that of...

warriors whose exuberance would influence the times.

And, Shimazu Hisamitsu was on his way there.

Tobu ga Gotoku

Episode 17: Internal Fighting

Screenplay: Osanai Mieko

Original Story: Shiba Ryotaro

Music: Ichiyanagi Toshi

Original subtitles: TV Network Japan, Inc.

Subtitle Transcription: Rashomon

Additional Translation & Timing: Kame Fansubs QC: Avallac'h

Narrator: Kusano Daigo

Cast

Saigo Kichinosuke: Nishida Toshiyuki

Okubo Ichiro: Kaga Takeshi

Saigo Shingo: Ogata Naoto

Murata Shinpachi: Masuoka Toru

Arima Shinshichi: Naito Takashi

Ofusa: Manda Hisako

Oyama Kakunosuke: Kanie Keizo

Komatsu Tatewaki: Ohashi Goro

Moriyama Shinzo: Tono Eishin

Konoe Tadahiro: Yagiyuu Hiroshi

Iwakura Tomomi: Kobayashi Katsuya

Shimazu Hisamitsu: Takahashi Hideki

Producer: Yoshimura Fumitaka

Director: Mochizuki Yoshio

April 1862

Take care of yourself.

You, too.

More men are leaving their clans and flocking here.

Something bad is bound to happen.

Your presence have them convinced that...

there will be an uprising against the shogunate.

The conflict in the shogunate's last days,

brewing since Princess Kazunomiya's marriage,

would be set off by Shimazu Hisamitsu's entry into Kyoto.

In Kyoto, Iwakura Tomomi was beginning to emerge.

Although he was not a high-ranking noble,

this broadminded man would go on to become...

a prominent figure in the new government.

The shogunate has strictly forbidden...

contact between the daimyo and the Court.

No, that depends on the interpretation.

Shimazu Saburo Hisamitsu is a daimyo's representative,

not a daimyo, so the law doesn't apply to him.

Satsuma's military will boost the Emperor's authority.

We didn't call him.

He took it upon himself to come and protect the Court.

That is what worries me!

Unlike Nariakira, Saburo was born and raised in Satsuma.

He knows nothing about the Court.

What if he starts making indiscriminate demands?

He's already come as far as Himeji.

I doubt if he'd turn back even if we requested it.

I think it's best to greet him tactfully.

Meaning?

Write and tell him that, past differences aside,

you eagerly await his visit.

I couldn't do that! What if he takes me seriously?

We want him to take the Court seriously and comply to our wishes.

Don't worry. I'll handle all dealings with him.

Hisamitsu, a devoted monarchist,

was delighted by Konoe's letter.

His Majesty has given us to understand...

that he is much heartened by our visit.

What a great honor this is!

Quarters at Akashi

We must make a flawless entrance...

lest we be ridiculed as country bumpkins.

You are right.

Still, some rude fellow did say that dealing with...

the Court was much too difficult for us.

I have yet to receive a report of his arrest.

You didn't let him get away, did you?

He wasn't at our clan mansion in Osaka.

I've sent some able men after him...

with orders to kill him if he resists.

Still, it's taking too long.

Unless he's apprehended at once,

if the radicals rally around him and create a disturbance,

I'd have to slit my belly in apology to the Court.

How disloyal of Kichinosuke to make you worry so.

Please beware of anyone who's in collusion with him.

Someone's here from Fushimi for instructions...

regarding lodging. See to it promptly.

Here are the figures.

After Osaka, we'll finally be in Fushimi.

Fushimi is the gateway to Kyoto.

We're finally entering Kyoto.

Kichinosuke's staying at the Saikyoya.

Hurry there before he's caught. -- Takewaki --

You're Murata Shinpachi, aren't you?

We used to see each other in town almost daily.

Why ask my name now?

I'm on duty.

Where's Saigo?

Perhaps, at the outhouse.

During a meal?

He's a dedicated fellow.

Whether he's at the table or the outhouse,

he'll drop everything to do his duty.

What could that be?

Aren't you an inspector? Find out for yourself!

He said that he'd be right back.

Be patient. If he says he'd be back, he'd be back!

Tell me. I don't want to arrest him.

So it's true that Hisamitsu has ordered his arrest?

Who told you?

Quiet! What did Kichinosuke do?

Quickly! You mustn't be seen!

I don't care. If I'm brought before Lord Hisamitsu,

I'll tell him the truth and receive his judgment.

That won't be possible!

Why not?

Someone's been sent to your inn to seize you.

It's all my fault.

I won't let you die alone.

I worked to intercede in your behalf,

but Lord Hisamitsu was too angry to listen.

He may even demand you to commit seppuku.

I was supposed to have died long ago.

I'm not afraid of dying now.

In fact, I can't pave the way unless I throw myself into death.

Is Lord Hisamitsu as cowardly as to fear...

a man who is resolved to die?

No, he's a brave man.

Once he's set his mind, he'll stubbornly see it through.

I've come this far, relying on that stubbornness.

But now, it's working against me.

Everything is coming to an end.

What are you saying? This isn't like you.

No, I've dreamed of our troops going to Kyoto from...

the time Lord Nariakira was our clan leader.

If you're punished after we've come this far,

I can't go on living.

It's not like you to give up so easily.

I've been pushed away from Lord Hisamitsu's side.

Why?

After your first meeting with Lord Hisamitsu,

Nakayama, his advisor, called you a troublemaker.

Nakayama behaves as if he's the only loyal warrior...

that Lord Hisamitsu has.

Honestly, he's worse than a baby.

My back is up against the wall.

Eventually, the blame will fall on me, too.

I'm not afraid of that, but it would be terrible...

if Sir Komatsu is also unseated.

We must at least save Komatsu,

or Satsuma's true intentions will be lost.

So I've made up my mind.

There's no other choice.

I understand how you feel.

If we both die now, who'll work for Satsuma?

Who'll take care of the country?!

Surely, you know the answer to that.

But!

Left like this, it'll be just as you fear!

Satsuma will come to a standstill in Kyoto.

You've got to see this through!

You don't need to worry about me.

I can't do that!

If Lord Hisamitsu has ordered my arrest,

I'll give myself up with good grace.

If it's my head that we wants, he can have it.

No one else need suffer the blame.

But, I'm responsible for placing you in this position.

No, you're not! Heaven willed it!

Stop talking like that and work for the country.

It's the best way to show your feelings for me.

Lord Hisamitsu will turn to you for help.

Our clan's fate must not be left to men like Nakayama.

Not only would you be doing our late Lord Nariakira..

a disservice, you'll be putting our country in peril.

Surely, you must realize that!

Do you understand?

I do.

Then take me in.

Send him back home immediately.

What reason do I give for sending him home?

Instructions will come later. That's explanation enough.

Murata Shinpachi and Moriyama Shinzo are also to be sent...

back for accompanying him from Shimonoseki.

Osaka - Satsuma Clan Mansion

Yasuki and Moriyama's son are here, too?

We were afraid that you'd be lying dead somewhere...

after you slipped out of the fief without a word.

We're Satsuma warriors.

How many years did it take you to get to Osaka?

Your support doesn't amount to much.

Still, if we combine your men with our 1,000 men,

there won't be an enemy to fear.

We have many more men from other clans, too.

We're all loyalists.

Don't let them or us outshine you.

I hear that the ronin from other clans...

are staying at the mansion.

I shall repeat the orders issued at our departure.

Going against military orders is a serious offense.

Our men are not to associate with either...

the warriors or the expatriates of other clans.

Yes, My Lord.

I don't think the Seichugumi would accede...

to cutting relations with partisans from other clans.

Okubo, Lord Hisamitsu has ordered you to go ahead to Kyoto.

What does he want me to do there?

You're to make preparations for his entry into Kyoto.

It's an important task with no room for oversights.

I understand.

It's downright impossible...

to find lodging for 1,000 people all at once.

Saigo Kichinosuke pointed that out earlier,

so Okubo had arranged to have men billeted in private homes.

But the people are beginning to change their minds.

Since Kyoto has never been a host to a daimyo procession,

the sight of the fierce warriors must have...

scared them and given them second thoughts.

Can you help us?

Though I can ask among the other innkeepers,

there's a limit.

This is just an idea...

I'm thinking of buying a vacant house.

Buy a house?

Can you ask around for any houses for sale?

About how much do you intend to pay for it?

Since it's urgent, I don't mind paying a bit more.

In that case, I'll ask around.

Ofusa, please help us.

Mr. Saigo wouldn't have allowed such as situation.

Why did he go home so suddenly?

Well, there were reasons.

I can't imagine how Lord Hisamitsu can stay...

in Kyoto without Mr. Saigo's assistance.

Upon entering Kyoto with the Court's permission,

Hisamitsu called immediately at the Konoe residence.

I am Shimazu Saburo Hisamitsu.

I am Konoe.

This meeting was arranged under Iwakura's auspices.

Iwakura?

I am Iwakura.

Thank you for your recommendation.

I understand that you brought cannons with you.

I hope those guns won't cause trouble for us.

I've come to carry out my late brother's work,

to serve as mediator between the Court and the shogunate.

With rumors of your arrival spreading,

we fear that fighting may break out at any moment.

You need not fear that.

We, men of Satsuma, respect the Court...

and with to protect the Emperor.

As I maintain strict military discipline,

not a soldier will act without my orders.

Then, can you do something about 'them'?

Pardon me?

Those ronin who've flocked here from various places.

They are calling for men to take up arms...

in the Emperor's name and burn down Nijo Castle...

and the home of the shogun's official.

We didn't want that to happen.

That's why we've met with you in secret from...

the shogun's official for the sake of the Emperor.

I'll subdue the radicals who disturb the Emperor's peace.

The task of dissuading the radicals fell to Okubo Ichizo.

Okubo!

Have you all been well?

Where's Arima?

I'll take you to him.

That's my job.

I want to be as much service as my father.

An Imperial edict to stop the ronin?

Is it really an Imperial edict?

I don't know if it's the Emperor's will or not,

but I know that it was agreed among the nobles.

That's absurd!

We left our posts in Edo so we could...

join Lord Hisamitsu in overthrowing the shogunate.

The Tosa loyalists have joined the Choshu at their...

mansion and are armed and ready to rise with us.

Why are you trying to stop us now?!

You must moderate yourselves before you're crushed.

All the loyalists have rushed to Kyoto...

because they felt that the time was ripe.

How can you be one of us to stop us like this?!

I came to dissuade you because I am one of you.

What does Saigo say?

Kichinosuke's on his way home under orders.

Just before he left, he said that we must make...

a united effort to carry out our late lord's will.

Please. I'll let you know when it's time to act.

All right, but there may be a time...

when we will not follow clan orders.

I must have you follow clan orders.

Aren't we working for the same thing?

Why isn't Kichinosuke in Kyoto?

He was arrested because of Nakayama.

Kichinosuke was seized and placed on...

the Tenjin Maru with Murata and Moriyama.

With my father?

What crime did they commit?

They're guilty of going against Lord Hisamitsu's will.

How do we explain this to our comrades?

It seems Hirano Kuniomi was also arrested.

Arima!

One thing is certain. Shimazu Saburo Hisamitsu...

is the son of Yura, an Edo commoner.

He's not a true patriot like the rest of us!

We were supposed to have risen two years ago...

when the Mito men attacked Regent Ii.

We held off because he said that we'd rise as a clan.

If we let him stop us now, not only will we be betraying...

the comrades who've thrown in their lot with us,

but Satsuma warriors will be known as cowards forever.

Please tell us what to do.

I want to avenge my brother.

Choose the place for me to die.

I'm going to drag Hisamitsu into this,

whether he likes it or not.

We'll sneak into Fushimi,

contact our comrades at the Choshu mansion,

and enter Kyoto at our opportunity.

Our targets are Sakai, the shogun's representative,

and Kujo, the Imperial Advisor. Understand?

We'll thrust their heads upon Hisamitsu...

as our battle flag and force his hand.

We'll show the country our independent strength.

We'll lead Hisamitsu by the nose and shove him on...

the path to overthrowing the shogunate.

Force is the only way to get what we want.

Meanwhile, Kichinosuke and the other two...

were being detained on a boat in Yamagawa Harbor.

Why won't they let us go ashore?

We will probably be banished to some island.

We're to be exiled?

Is that true, Kichinosuke?

We can only wait and see.

Can't we even bid our families farewell?

Though you were of the merchant class,

you're a samurai now.

Won't you come here and join us?

I'm sorry. I can't spare my thoughts for fishing.

If one stays here like this, one can see and be seen.

It means that the town knows we're here.

Your family should be coming along soon.

On the evening of April 23rd,

Arima Shinshichi and his group of 50 men moved...

into the boat inn, Teradaya, in Fushimi.

Kyoto -- Satsuma Mansion

But, their action was promptly reported to Hisamitsu.

There's no telling when those men at the Teradaya...

will rise up in arms if they're not dealt with.

Send someone to them immediately.

Don't bother with the ronin from other clans.

Let our agent convey this message to our warriors.

They are to disband immediately and report to...

the clan mansion in Kyoto to hear my orders.

Since the Court has asked us to subdue the radicals,

we cannot have rebelliousness in our own clan.

I'll speak to them and make them understand.

What if they refuse to listen to our messengers?

These are my orders.

Our agents may deal with the situation as they see fit.

Choose their comrades from the Seichugumi for this task.

Wait! It's possible that they may end up killing each other.

If they won't obey orders, it can't be helped.

We must hurry before violence erupts.

I'll choose the men right away.

Meanwhile, Ichizo was still looking for accommodations.

I'm sorry that I'm late.

It's terrible!

Oyama and Narahara were chosen to stop the radicals.

Arima's band was reported to have entered Fushimi, armed.

They may end up being executioners.

Oyama, please wait!

I'll go with you and try to talk to them.

Shingo's probably with them in Fushimi.

How do I explain to Kichinosuke...

if anything happens to Shingo?

Don't worry! I'll bring them back safely.

Ichizo couldn't change their minds before.

If they defy orders, they may have to be executed!

Our task is to restore order.

You could if it was a case of arson or theft,

but Arima would never...

We've no time for arguing.

Once violence erupts, it will be too late.

Oyama!

You wait here.

Who'll take care of the rest...

if you're dragged into this, too?

Please, Oyama!

Let's go.

Is anyone there?

Who is it?

'Kaiten'

'Ten'

Better get it right. If you falter over the password,

you might get killed by your own men.

Worry about yourself instead of the others.

Are the ropes and candles ready?

Don't try to stop us. Please leave.

Please...

We're here on Lord Hisamitsu's orders.

Please desist from your plan.

We've come this far.

I'm a warrior.

If you won't obey Lord Hisamitsu's orders,

we'll have to kill you.

I don't care.

Aijiro!

I'll obey the lord's orders.

But as a man, I can't abandon our plan.

I've no other choice but to be killed here.

You've made up your mind?

Kill me.

Stab him!

Stab him!

Run your sword through both of us!

Don't come!

Fools! I told you not to come.

Shingozaemon!

They're awfully noisy downstairs.

I'll see what's up.

They're here to apprehend us!

What?!

It's me, Oyama.

I'm addressing the Satsuma warriors.

Listen to me.

Lord Hisamitsu knows how you feel.

He says that he'll speak directly to you.

Please comply with his orders.

Please! I'm begging you!

Arima died a hero's death.

By doing so, he's given you an excuse.

Further killing will be futile.

Please appear before Lord Hisamitsu and...

tell him your thoughts.

Won't you join us and work for our country?

Please!

If you can't do that, then kill me.

I've already resigned myself to death.

Please come to the Nishiki mansion with me.

There we can talk everything out.

Shingo... Yasuke... Please!

Let's go to the clan mansion.

Let's stop this senseless killing.

Why?!

It was the lord's orders.

This isn't what you promised.

Where's Oyama?

Where's Okubo?

We're acting on the lord's orders.

Stop fighting it and behave yourself.

It's Okubo!

This is a dirty trick!

We didn't stay alive just to be captives.

Why won't you let us see Lord Hisamitsu?

Is this what a Satsuma warrior would do?

You subject us to a living shame...

by deceiving us like this.

Let us see Lord Hisamitsu!

Okubo!

This makes the deaths of our comrades all in vain.

Shingo!

Shingo!

Okubo!

Thus, Hisamitsu gained the Court's trust...

by subduing the rebel elements at Teradaya.

To be continued.