Original subtitles

Nobunaga

Episode 1: "Zipangu"

Original Story and Screenplay: Tamukai Seiken

Music: Mori Kurodo

Original Subtitles TV Network Japan

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles Kame Fansubs

CAST

Oda Nobunaga OGATA NAOTO

Kicho KIKUCHI MOMOKO

Rui TAKAHASHI KEIKO

Ikeda Tsuneoki MATOBA KOJI

Hirade Masahide NITANI HIDEAKI

Hayashi Michikatsu UTSUI KEN

Inaba Yoshimichi SHINODA SABURO

Sakuma Nobumori TANAKA KEN

Sakuma Morishige HONGO KOJIRO

Sakai Daizen SUZUKI MIZUHO

Louis Froez FRANK NEIL

Oda Nobuhide HAYASHI AYUZO

Oda Nobusada FUNAKOSHI EIJI

Saito Dosan ASHIDA SHINSUKE

Kano Zuiten HIRA MIKIJIRO

Producer: Yagi Masaji

Director: Shigemitsu Yukihiko

On March 23, 1585 Japanese Christian envoys visited...

Pope Gregory XIII at the Papal Court in Rome.

This was the first record of the Japanese...

visiting Europe on official business.

These Japanese Christian envoys have come to...

pay tribute and respect to you upon their arrival...

after traveling for 3 years at sea.

Let me introduce them.

Head envoy, Ito Mancio.

Chijiiwa Miquel.

Hara Martinho.

My child... Thank you for coming so far.

Allow us to express our respects to you personally.

From Zipangu, the land of the rising son,

we come to show our gratitude and respect.

I, Ito Mancio, represent Lord Otomo Sorin Francis of Bungo.

Behind me are Chijiiwa Miguel,

envoy of Lord Omura Sumitada Bartholomew of Hizen

and Hara Martinho envoy of Lord Arima Harunobu Protasius.

St. Francis Xavier's first step 36 years ago,

laid the groundwork for this historical event.

Missionaries like myself are warmed by these events.

Come to think of it,

there was no one who had seen Japan when I was yet a child.

45 years ago -- in 1540, outside Lisbon, Portugal.

My name is Louis Froez and I am a Portuguese.

Europe during these years had only heard rumors...

of a far east nation, the golden land of the rising sun...

known as "Zipangu."

It is to this Zipangu that I would eventually go as a missionary,

and meet a mysterious personality.

This person was Oda Danjo-no-chu Nobunaga.

This would not happen until later in this story,

but let me speak about what I saw and heard of this man.

Nobunaga was two years younger than I.

Nagoya Castle, Owari (Nagoya City)

Young Lord! Take that off.

Young Lord Kipposhi!

Young Lord!

Lord Kipposhi, now take it off!

You should not wear women's clothes!

People will make fun of you! Take that off!

Look at the teeth marks you made!

When the lord is at battle, you must guard the castle.

It is in these times that you pray for his victory.

Oda Nobuhide

Charge!

June 6, 1540, Mikawa The Battle of Anjo Castle

Hayashi Michikatsu

Hirade Masahide

Sakuma Morishige

Sakuma Nobumori

Oda Nobumitsu

Get those Mikawa!

Kano Zuiten

Reporting! The troops are advancing as planned!

Reporting! We have the Anjo Castle surrounded!

Order the men not to act in haste!

Zuiten...

Your predictions are always the will of God.

Whether it is the day of departure,

or the moves of the enemy, you have always been right!

I am most grateful for your praise.

But, I advise you to head out immediately.

If you do not take over Anjo Castle at once,

it will turn into a drawn out battle.

You are right! Let's go, Nobuyasu!

Anjo Castle, Mikawa

Lord Anjo Nagaie

I am not committing suicide!

I will kill as many Owari men as I can!

I have Lord Anjo's head!

Nagoya Castle

Open the gates!

Mikawa's Anjo Castle was overthrown by our army!

The lord will return tonight,

so begin preparations for a celebration at once!

Rui

Haven't you found him yet?

I am sorry, but we are checking the grounds now.

Where can he be wandering at this hour of night?

I'm sorry, we will find him soon!

Do so right away!

Lord Nobuhiro. Have you seen Kipposhi?

No, I haven't.

The lord will be back any minute.

Try to stay awake until you welcome him back.

Are you sleepy?

Kanjuro, get up or the ghosts will get you!

Ryu, stop that.

The lord has returned!

Welcome back.

I won! I won!

I am like the spirit of the rising sun!

Congratulations on this victory!

Where is Kipposhi?!

Yes, he is on his way.

On his way?!

Why isn't he here?

Why isn't the heir of the Oda family here?!

Show kindness to a son and he'll grow up to be a wimp!

Forgive me.

Don't just sit there! Help me take this off!

You outcast!

Why are you standing here?

I won! Don't you have anything to say?

Are you trembling at the sight of blood?

Never fear blood!

Battles create seas of blood!

Now, come with me.

It has been said that Lord Nobunaga's father...

was one of 3 magistrates of Governor Oda Yamato-no-kami,

who had jurisdiction over half of the Owari domain.

But, he had acquired power beyond the governor.

In this era, winning battles meant success.

Lord! We must now think of unifying Owari.

There are no formidable foes left.

Nobumori. You have just never met up with one.

Our acquisition of Anjo Castle may have stirred up...

formidable foes, such as Mino's Saito Dosan...

and Suruga's Imagawa Yoshimoto.

Hopefully, they won't rise to the occasion.

Sir Hayashi. I am more concerned about Owari itself.

We may be attacked from the rear at any time.

Hirade. Don't worry so much.

Whether it is Owari, Mikawa, or Mino,

we will take them on one by one!

By doing so, all of Owari will be mine one day.

Nobuhiro.

Yes.

I will grant Anjo Castle to you.

Yes.

Though you are not my heir, you are my eldest son.

Go and guard the enemy's Anjo Castle.

Yes.

Any objections from anyone?!

You may lose your life protecting the castle.

I couldn't ask for more.

Now that's the spirit!

My sons grew facing death in the face.

One cannot become a lord fearing death!

A man must not be gentle like a woman!

No mercy should be bestowed upon his foe!

One must trample on them and kill them!

To outlive them, take their lives!

Yes.

Just a bit of advice...

Forgive me for my delay.

Oh, Zuiten, you're back?

Your predictions helped us again in this battle.

They are worth more than a hundred horses.

Here, have a drink with me.

No, before that...

Bring her in.

Sit there.

Her name is Yone.

She served Lord Anjo at Anjo Castle.

You mentioned that nothing is more satisfying than...

acquiring a castle and another mistress.

This Mikawa beauty surpasses all others.

Good.

Please provide her with a new name.

Let's see... Let's call you "An" from "Anjo."

Yes, An.

An, that's a wonderful name.

"An" also means spiritual peace or tranquility.

Hereafter, your name is An.

Accept it graciously.

Now, go forward and introduce yourself.

What a spirit!

She's a good woman.

My Lord, I see the ghost of Lord Anjo behind her.

Forgive me for this. I will kill her.

Now, there is a ghost I don't mind seeing.

Without a head, how can he cross the River Styx?

I can still see him! Please hand her over!

It might be fun to have a ghost by my bedside.

Nobumori. Play your flute for us...

and make this victory sake fragrantly pleasant!

To fragrantly pleasant.

What were you looking at?

Those who lost their lives in battle...

wander through the darkness of night.

You must have seen them?

I Kano Zuiten will ward them off for you.

Here is a bone from a person's forefinger.

Keep it close to you and you will be protected.

Stop bawling! You shameful son!

Lying on the ground with the sun up high!

You are the Oda heir, thus prey to an attack!

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

Why are you apologizing?

I am at fault for not disciplining him.

Keep out of this!

Kipposhi is heir of the Oda family.

His careless actions can affect its future.

Your apologies cannot buffer his wrongs.

I will change him once and for all today.

Please overlook it. Just this one time.

Get out of the way! It does not concern you!

But it does. Kipposhi is my son.

Kipposhi belongs to the Oda! He is not your son!

An Oda heir must be strong like the tiger...

and exceptionally cautious.

He must have the fortitude to crawl up...

a valley that is a thousand fathoms deep.

Without it, the Oda family will perish.

When he wets his bed nightly and sleeps by day,

how can I rely on him as my heir?!

May I interrupt?

What is it?

The Retired Lord is here.

Father?

I can hear you all the way down the corridor.

I am glad to see you.

Are you here on business today?

I heard you acquired Mikawa's Anjo Castle.

Yes, in one breath.

Now Mikawa's Matsudaira is not a threat to our army.

In a year or two, I will capture his main and Okazaki Castles!

How many men did you lose?

Very few.

That is great.

Father. I do not spend my days in idleness.

After Mikawa, I will conquer all of Owari.

Then I will spread out to other domains.

Have you reported your victory to the governor?

He knows, since I borrowed some of his men.

Why didn't you report to him personally?

Father. Don't worry. Leave things in my hands.

Is anyone around?

Get a horse ready!

We are going to see the progress at Furuwatari Castle.

Father, please come to see the construction project.

I do not need to see the castle.

Instead, go to Kiyosu Castle...

and report your victory to the governor.

Father. Right now the governor is only governor in name.

I am saying to show proper respect.

Without that, you have no commitment.

And, without commitment, there is betrayal.

How can you unify Owari as such?

Then let me interject my thoughts.

The Oda were lowly magistrates for generations.

I alone created what we have today.

Though my position is still a magistrate,

the Owari Governor Shiba Yoshinori...

wouldn't dare summon me today.

Then all the more you should go to him.

A humble leader will attract allies.

I am the head of the Oda family.

Father, you are just a retired man now!

You unfilial son!

Father, I will not forgive you for this.

What is it that you will not forgive me?

Watch your words, my son.

Or, would you like another?

Please forgive him.

Stay out of this. It does not concern you.

Please. Forgive him.

This is an Oda family problem.

A fool, who does not fear God!

Kipposhi... Become a man who fears God.

I grew up fearing gods and demons,

but Nobunaga had feared men and ghosts.

In the winter of this same year,

Nobunaga became Lord of Nagoya Castle at age 6.

His father purposely decided to do so...

in order to have his son grow up strong.

As of today,

I will transfer to Furuwatari Castle that was just built.

Furuwatari Castle is close to Anjo Castle,

on route to Mikawa, and overlooks the Bay of Atsuta.

This Nagoya Castle will be bestowed on Kipposhi.

His first elder will be Hayashi Michikatsu.

I am flattered.

Second elder is Hirade Masahide.

I am honored.

Third elder, Aoyama Yosoemon.

I am honored.

Fourth elder, Naito Katsusuke.

I too am honored.

The four of you shall remain to serve as Kipposhi's...

shield and sword, and to protect the castle.

Kipposhi, from this day forth, you are the lord.

Begging your pardon. Departure preparations are done.

Take Kanjuro first.

Young Lord. Let's go.

Kanjuro... Go with Matsu.

Come closer.

You are a man and the heir of the Oda family.

Make your father proud of you as lord.

Come closer, Kipposhi.

Let your mother see your beautiful face.

Kipposhi...

We cannot locate the Young Lord.

Let's just go.

September 1547 Mino Province (Gifu Pref.)

By the time Nobunaga reached the age of 14,

his father became even more powerful.

He had begun invasions into outside domains.

However, he also began to lose more often.

Here, he attacked Inabayama Castle of Mino,

but was defeated.

The enemy is coming from behind!

Retreat immediately!

Sakuma, lead the way!

Quickly, all of you!

Attack them back! Do not retreat!

My Lord, please retreat!

Protect the lord!

Do not retreat!

Lord, please retreat!

Continue attacking them back!

Go on!

Sir Morishige, Hold on.

Continue!

Lord!

Protect the lord!

Follow me! Don't retreat!

Surround the enemy!

Take the head of our enemy, Oda Nobuhide!

The enemy's army is growing!

Let's retreat!

Don't go back! Get the enemy!

Sir Oda Yoshiro Nobuyasu, dead...

Sir Oda Inaba-no-kami, dead...

Sir Oda Mondo-no-kami, dead...

Sir Aoyama Yosoemon, dead...

Sir Senshu Kii-no-kami, dead...

Elder Terasawa Matahachi, dead...

Darn Dosan... That Saito Dosan...

I will take your head one day.

Inabayama Castle

Oda Nobuhide is full of energy, but inexperienced.

He can see ahead, but not behind.

Perhaps that is better.

Seeing all sides means seeing the bad as well.

Sir Mori Yoshinari is here.

Let him through.

Reporting. The fire at the castle has been extinguished.

Have the men on alert until the sun rises.

I have already instructed them so.

How dare that Oda Nobuhide set that fire.

My Lord. Let's take advantage of the situation...

to take over Ogaki Castle and then invade Owari.

I'm not satisfied with just chasing them off.

Please, give me the orders, Lord.

Don't act in haste.

By the way, Yoshitatsu...

Yes.

You have recently been calling me lord.

Don't be so formal and keep calling me Father.

But, I serve you, Lord.

Even if I am the heir, if I call you Father,

I cannot discipline my men.

You have many men that report to you.

I will not force you.

Sir Inaba Yoshimichi is here.

Oh, Inaba?

I have just returned.

Is the Oda army gone?

Yes. It was a mass victory on our part.

Nobuhide's brother Nobuyasu, retainer Terasawa Matahachi,

and others were killed.

That is good news.

Nobuhide must be regretting his inexperience.

Yes. I am sure he will behave himself for awhile.

I'm a bit nervous.

Oda controls the best harbors of Owari,

Tsushima Bay and Atsuta Bay.

Every year more ships and merchants frequent them,

and he collects a handsome tax from them.

In time, he will overthrow the main family...

of Oda Nobutomo and unify all of Owari.

You mean as when I unified Mino?

No, I didn't mean it that way.

We need to take proper measures in Owari...

and nip the evil in its bud.

I have already taken steps.

What kind of steps?

Never ask that!

Even if nobody is around to hear,

the moment you speak it, it travels like wildfire.

A comment could lead to the doom of a country.

Be very careful.

Magoshiro...

Yes, Father.

To win, don't let the enemy sense your moves.

Yes.

Speak cautiously even to your own flesh and blood.

It is human nature to want to share secrets.

Betrayal is born from there.

I won't be hesitating!

I give up!

Next! Tsuneoki! And then, the three of you!

Oh, that is a long spear.

Yes. Saito Dosan invented this.

But, it is so long.

Come!

That hurt!

Forgive me.

Another round! Tsuneoki, prepare yourself!

We have been searching all over for you.

What's the matter?!

We received word that Saito Dosan was scheming to surround Ogaki Castle,

so your father immediately left for battle.

The lord is back!

We have been waiting for your return.

Tell us where you will be when you leave so early in the morning.

Reporting. Early this morning, Saito Dosan surrounded Ogaki Castle.

Your father left for battle and ordered us to follow with assistance.

He must be battling Dosan at this very moment.

We are late. What should we do?

If something happens to your father,

you could never repent enough.

A lord cannot act willfully.

Have you forgotten your responsibilities?

One, always be cautious. Two, never fear death.

Three, display courtesy.

If that is too much for you, then become a priest.

Lord. Get ready to go to battle.

We can still make it if we hurry.

Reporting! A messenger from Furuwatari Castle is here.

Let him in.

Reporting! The castle has been set on fire!

We need help!

Calm down.

Who set the fire?

Was it the Mikawa or the Mino?

It was the Kiyosu army!

Kiyosu? That is the governor's castle.

Are you sure?

There is no mistake. They had their identifying flags.

Is anyone there?!

Close our gates immediately!

Saito Dosan and the governor have joined forces,

and baited our lord out.

To think that the head family is our foe.

I'm going to Furuwatari Castle.

Wait. Let us check on how things go first.

Father is away. I must protect the family.

Big Brother!

Ah, Kanjuro. Were you afraid?

No.

The enemy set fire to the castle.

Now that I'm here, you don't need to worry.

Mother! Big Brother is here!

Is that so?

I am here.

Thank you for coming. You too, Hirade.

The enemy disappeared when they saw us coming.

The fire did not cause too much damage either.

I'm glad to hear that. We owe this to you.

We don't get to see you except at times like this.

We are situated very close to your castle.

Come by sometime. Look how happy he is, too.

Yes.

Hard. My brother is strong like a thousand men.

You are right.

Kanjuro, stop that.

I said stop, it tickles me.

Kanjuro, stop that.

Kanjuro.

I said stop! I'm serious!

You can't get away.

Kanjuro.

I won't lose to you.

I am more than a thousand men.

Matsu, get Kanjuro away.

Yes.

You can't beat me.

I said stop!

You still won't give up? You still won't give up?

Stop it, you two. Nobunaga!

Lord, please stop!

Hirade! Let me go!

Lord, Please quiet down.

You're insolent!

Lord, please...

Kanjuro! Don't forget!

I will kill you one day! I will kill you!

Kiyosu Castle

Your son, Nobuhide, would have been decapitated in another era.

It is all my fault.

That right. You created that good-for-nothing.

We cannot overlook his impudence any longer.

As you know,

Owari's eight domains are run by the governor here and our lord.

Governor Oda Nobutomo

But he never pays respect to us,

he attacks outside domains as he pleases,

and takes hostages as if he is the governor.

That is why we set fire to Furuwatari Castle.

I am deeply sorry.

Such a useless son! Why didn't you go to battle?!

What were you doing?!

Losing consciousness!

Who raised him to be such a weak man?!

I cannot defend myself in any way.

I am solely responsible. Please punish me.

I am not asking for your convenience!

He is late for battle and loses consciousness when he is hit.

How can he be my heir?!

You are too soft on him!

If he is gentle, throw him off a cliff or into the sea,

and beat him until near death.

We have to change his attitude!

I wanted a son as strong as steel!

Even if he was split into eight,

he should be strong enough to kill his enemies.

Look at him.

He is weak like a woman!

Wake up!

Get up!

My Lord! Please stop that!

What are you doing?!

Please stop!

Don't interfere!

Look what a weak son you bore me!

Zuiten.

Take Nobunaga to the back.

I cannot allow this!

Evan a tiger will love his weak cub.

Trampling on a weak child is beneath an animal.

The Retired Lord is here.

You always seem to be at this.

I have to talk with you.

Zuiten, take us to another room.

Nobunaga?

Nobunaga?

You don't need to pay your respects to Kiyosu now.

Invade their castle as soon as tomorrow and take their lives.

Then Saito Dosan can't touch you either.

Conquering Kiyosu Castle will not be difficult,

but if we attack the head family and take their heads,

then unifying Owari becomes difficult.

All of our relatives will become weary of us.

They were the ones who joined with our enemies!

Justice is on our side. Get them now!

You don't have anything to ponder about. Hurry!

I will reconcile with Saito Dosan.

Are you crazy?! He collaborated with Kiyosu!

I will have him cut them off.

Zuiten.

I sent you to Nobuhide. Why aren't you helping him?

Have your visions been deteriorating?

Nobuhide does not need my vision.

He can see the future on his own.

How? He cannot even see the betrayal of Kiyosu!

I will reconcile with a political marriage.

I want Saito Dosan's daughter for Nobunaga's wife.

Dosan would never agree to that!

He will...

He saw our strength at Ogaki when only seventy percent was there.

I believe Dosan is afraid of our army.

By joining hands with us,

he can attack Mikawa and Suruga's Imagawa Yoshimoto much easier.

The powerless head family stands no chance.

Don't be so conceited!

Saito Dosan is more conniving than you can ever imagine.

He was an oil merchant,

and rose up the ranks by committing one evil after another.

In time, he controlled all of Mino.

He will turn the reconciliation to his favor.

Instead, conquer Kiyosu and unify Owari.

Take care of the inside foes before the outside.

I will rid the internal foe with my external foe.

I can't persuade you otherwise?

No, you cannot.

Then, we must ask the will of God.

Let's ask for Zuiten's predictions.

Yes.

Zuiten. Use your sticks to how us the path of God.

Is it west to Kiyosu or north to Mino?

OK, I will find that out.

"Keniten" "Rokko-Kaiyo"

They are both excellent fortunes.

God's blessing is at its fullest without...

any sign of bad fortune.

The path to Heaven is perfect,

and you must work to act accordingly.

Either the west or north are of Heaven.

Since your fortune is extremely strong,

whether you go west to Kiyosu or north to Mino,

you will receive God's blessings.

However, as in anything that is of this extreme,

it will overflow and lose its power eventually.

In other words, you must act immediately...

before your fortune takes a quick turn.

Which is it then? West or north?

Fortune telling is only for your reference.

The ultimate decision rests with the person.

I say north!

Oh. So the Oda want a hostage from me?

No, that is not what he meant.

He would like you to forget past trespasses...

by having our children join in marriage.

Umm, then, he wants to apologize?

Envoys have such a difficult job.

They cannot apologize, they cannot be arrogant.

But, everything must turn out perfectly.

I agree to this marriage.

It is better than going to battle.

I will accept Lord Oda's proposal.

I am most grateful.

I have heard many good things about you.

I doubt that.

You are accomplished in poetry and tea...

and are extremely loyal.

You must be thinking of the wrong man.

It is virtuous to have good rumors of yourself.

I have been up to no good,

so bad rumors are heard about me.

Some even call me Viper Dosan.

Hirade. You must have some personal ambitions.

Yes, I do.

I would like to see Nobunaga grow up to be a fine lord.

No, I mean for yourself.

None at all. I just want the average life.

How about taking over Nobuhide's domain?

I came up the ranks from a merchant.

I believe you get what you seek.

Without seeking, you get nothing.

All you see is the scraps.

After raising his heir,

to end your life reading poetry is a bit too comfortable.

Men must have big ambitions...

so you can face death better.

How about a new ambition?

I can help that dream come true.

I am very grateful for your consideration.

Then, may I confirm that you accept the proposal?

I thank you again.

Oh, yes. While we are on this topic...

I will provide my daughter as hostage,

but I want Nobuhide's daughter for my son.

In other words, we will exchange hostages.

My daughter, Kicho, is the apple of my eye.

I cannot have anything happen to her.

I need to have an equal hostage here.

Reconciliation is all about fairness.

Isn't that right?

Ah, what an auspicious day!

Bring some sake!

In 1548, when Nobunaga was 15,

he married Dosan's daughter, Kicho.

She was 14.

Rumors say that her parents were not present,

and the marriage vows were not made to God.

Only sake cups were exchanged.

Kicho knew very well that she was a hostage.

At the same time, at Mino's Inabayama Castle,

another lonely marriage was taking place.

It was the welcoming of a hostage.

Women in Europe back then were treated badly.

But, marriages were different.

The bride and groom exchanged vows before God.

Without doing that, marriage was not accepted.

Did you follow me?

If her father is a viper, she may turn into a snake.

August 15, 1549 Kagoshima

On this day, St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit,

arrived at Kagoshima Bay in Kyushu.

As a Christian missionary,

he was the first to lay foot on the soil of Japan.

The water is so wonderful.

In his first letter from Japan, St. Xavier writes:

"The people in this country are courteous and kind.

"Honor is upheld as a desirable value,

"and means everything to them.

"The people are poor, but among the warriors,

"and the commoners, that is not a shame."

Their smiles have confused me many times, too.

3 years later... Spring 1552

I cannot seem to convince the lord to be serious.

At this rate, he will not be the heir.

They don't even have a child yet either.

There his wife goes running, too.

That is Saito Dosan's daughter for you.

She is not properly trained.

Where is Lord Nobunaga?

He has gone to the castle town.

Again?

What is the matter?

We were supposed to see the cherry blossoms today!

It's getting late. The day will be over soon.

I am sorry.

Hayashi.

Go and call Lord Nobunaga home. Hurry.

Look at that stupid lord dancing again!

His specialty is dancing as a woman.

He likes what is popular in Kyoto.

I pity his father for having an heir like him.

What could be wrong? Was I poisoned?

Someone...

Someone!

Someone...

Nobunaga...

I would meet Nobunaga 13 years later.

But, let me introduce the characters who will be appearing later.

Lord Hashiba Hideyoshi

Lady Nene

Lord Akechi Mitsuhide

Lady Ikoma

Lady Onabe Lady-in-Waiting

Lady Hosokawa Gracia

Lady Oichi

Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu

And, as for myself, I was training in Goa, India.

I would not be in Japan until the age of 32.

So, until we meet again...

To be continued.

To be continued.