Original subtitles

The Portuguese were the first foreigners to enter Japan.

This was not a coincidence.

After Columbus discovered the Americas in 1492,

dominion rights over newly discovered lands...

became an issue between Spain and Portugal.

In 1493, advice was sought from the Pope.

He declared new land to the east as Portugal's,

and to the west as Spain's.

So, Portugal sent ships down to Africa,

around the Cape of Good Hope to Goa, India,

thereby making that their focal point in Asia.

St. Xavier was not Portuguese,

but he was ordered by the Pope to spread Christianity.

Japan was not invaded by the Portuguese...

because of the vast distance separating the countries.

That turned out to be fortuitous for the relationship...

between Japan and Portugal.

Of course, Japan had no conception that such a country...

existed at the far end of the sea.

Needless to say, neither did Nobunaga.

Nobunaga

Episode 4: "Seppuku" (Suicide)

Original Story & Screenplay: Tamukai Seiken

Music: Mori Kurodo

Original Subtitles TV Network Japan

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles Kame Fansubs

CAST

Oda Nobunaga OGATA NAOTO

Rui TAKAHASHI KEIKO

Ikeda Tsuneoki MATOBA KOJI

Hirade Masahide NITANI HIDEAKI

Shibata Gonroku TAKITA SAKAE

Jikai INAGAWA JUNJI

Sakuma Nobumori TANAKA KEN

Sakuma Morishige HONGO KOJIRO

Louis Froez FRANK NEIL

Hayashi Michikatsu UTSUI KEN

Sakai Daizen SUZUKI MIZUHO

Takigawa Kazumasu SHIBA TOSHIO

Kano Zuiten HIRA MIKIJIRO

Producer: Yagi Masaji

Director: Shigemitsu Yukihiko

It is said that in Japan...

the victor in a battle was predetermined.

This was because allies were chosen in advance.

The battles were just a formality.

And, for the Japanese, formality was everything.

'Hara-kiri' or 'seppuku' was typical of this.

Tonight, we will talk about why Hirade Masahide...

had to commit seppuku.

Fukada Castle

Let's go back to the beginning now.

Oda Nobutsugu

Nobunaga must be frantic right now.

Your elder brother Nobuhide didn't pay any respect...

to the main family and did as he pleased.

That is why you will pay for it now.

Moriyama Castle

What is it? Has Nobunaga died in battle?

No...

I gave my word to be an ally! It's impertinent to remind me!

Forgive me.

I'm Nobunaga's uncle, not his subordinate!

It's hot! Someone fan me!

Someone.

Fan the lord.

Goroemon.

You're the son of a retainer.

Why panic every time a battle starts?

The acting governor overthrew Matsuba Castle...

and took Lord Iga-no-kami as his hostage.

The acting governor will thus stay put there.

Lord Iga-no-kami is also alive. This is no need to rush.

But he also overthrew Fukada Castle...

and took Lord Oda Nobutsugu as hostage.

You mean my younger brother, too?

What in the world is Nobunaga doing?

The acting governor is running wild.

This is really Hirade's fault.

How could he allow this as the retainer?

Goroemon.

Give this message to your father.

Lord Oda is a fool because of his retainer.

Hirade Goroemon has just returned.

What did Nobumitsu have to say?

He will soon join us with 500 men.

Well done.

My lord. When Nobumitsu arrives, let's split into two...

and attack from the Matsuba side.

Only after Suemori joins us.

But, that would only be fifty or sixty more.

It's not worth the wait.

No, I want the main family to see the Suemori flags.

If I, my uncle, and Suemori attack from three directions,

Kiyosu will decide this battle has been lost and will run.

They were banking on none of the relatives assisting me.

I just need to show off my allies for this time.

My lord, I think you are a bit too optimistic.

You must go with the spirit of beheading them all.

Without it, you will be defeated.

I know that.

But, right now, I would prefer a swim.

Prepare to greet the men from Suemori!

Goroemon.

What are you doing?

I wanted to test out my blade.

You're acting strange. What's the matter?

What happened at Moriyama Castle?

That damn old man!

Tell me about it.

Father. Let's abandon the Oda clan.

What happened? Tell me.

I refuse to serve a lord for whom I am mocked.

There are other clans we can serve.

The future of the Oda is gloomy!

Never utter those words again.

The battle is about to begin...

we will talk later.

Why isn't he asking me to join him?!

He goes right past my castle to ask my uncle!

Zuiten! Answer me!

This is a grave misunderstanding.

I am here on the lord's behalf to ask for your help.

You cannot fool me!

My brother is just going through the motions.

He plans to line up a few of his vassals...

and show them I am one of them. Isn't that right?

Lord, please have a seat.

I am being taken lightly by him!

As my chief retainer, aren't you angry?!

Or, do you still consider yourself to be my brother's retainer?

Nobuyuki, hold your tongue.

Tell my brother that I'm not cooperating.

That is not acceptable.

Why not?!

Since he is the lord of the Oda, his orders are law.

You would need a valid reason.

No reason is needed! I am just not doing it!

Then he will be angered.

Worst yet, he may attack you.

If I had been chosen the heir,

we would never have to go through this.

My brother has no sense of courtesy.

All the relatives frown on him.

Nobuyuki!

Stop calling me by my name!

Even if you are my mother, I will not allow it!

I am not the child you think I am.

From now on, call me "lord!"

I understand very well.

Do as you please.

Hayashi.

Yes.

Work it out as you think best.

Okay. We will begin preparations immediately.

Alert the Sakuma and Shibata Gonroku.

Now you have seen how to use a sword.

Kazumasu.

Show us how to split a helmet.

It will be a pre-battle competition.

Pardon me.

This is plain dumb strength.

The retainer wants you to report to the gate.

Let's go!

No food is needed if we can go to battle!

Negative thoughts create bad karma.

The late lord's mind was strong without end...

and brought good fortune for the Oda.

But, the late lord is now of the past...

and his thoughts are rising to the Heavens,

with the impact on the Oda becoming less.

If Nobunaga is head, will it be bad karma?

No, but Nobunaga and everyone's thoughts...

are at conflict to cause all of this.

We need to strengthen Nobunaga's mind.

What do we need to do?

Place a true ally next to him.

But he has you.

It must be a kin.

Who should it be? Tell me.

You...

Me?

Yes.

I cannot go. Besides, a woman cannot be of help.

There must be someone else.

No, there isn't.

With your power, you can find someone.

I cannot. A mother provides life with her strength,

thus she can provide him strength.

If you go to his side, Nobunaga will be strengthened.

Separated from you at a young age,

he was raised among strangers.

Now he has become the head, but without a childhood.

He is increasingly all alone.

At this rate, external powers will consume him.

Lord Nobunaga, if you had left things in my hands,

we would never have had to battle the main family.

You are still young.

Release!

It is said that this battle reversed things...

since Nobunaga had captured Kiyosu Castle.

Nobutsugu. You are fortunate that we came to your aid.

Without it, your head and body would have been separated.

But the Kiyosu soldiers ran away so quickly --

that is something worth learning.

The acting governor no longer has clout.

Owari's governor was stationed in Kiyosu, too.

So, the four divisions of lower Owari, in fact,

all of Owari, can now be ours.

But, I cannot understand the acting governor.

Titles like his are meaningless these days.

Why does he start a battle knowing that?

His last fight, I suppose.

The form is what counts.

My lord, what is the matter?

I drank too much. I feel ill.

As the Oda head, he must learn to drink.

Hirade. You could have at least taught him that.

Lord Nobunaga. You drink, vomit, and get stronger.

A drink after vomiting is exquisite. Here, have one.

No, I will leave the rest to you.

Nobunaga! Sit!

I mean, please have a seat.

Sake has not killed a man.

Uncle. Please pardon me.

Hold onto my shoulders.

Sake does not sit well with me.

I'm going to quit drinking.

Hirade. You are his chief retainer and guardian.

Do something!

Tell me anything you feel needs attention.

Nobunaga is my nephew, and with his father gone,

I feel as though I am his father.

I am not sure if he can lead the Oda from here on.

In battles, attacking is fundamental.

But, he has been attacked twice in half a year.

You haven't watched after him too well.

Pardon me, I will be more careful from now on.

He cannot even drink a decent amount,

then vomits in from of his vassals, and leaves the party.

You've been at his side from a tender age.

What have you taught him?

With a retainer as a fool, the clan will perish.

Did you call me a fool?

Why are you surprised? I already told your son.

Come on, brother.

Don't come on me!

We are in this because of you.

The wine of victory is turning sour!

Let's drink all over again.

Please repeat what you said to my son again.

I have forgotten. Ask him tomorrow.

I beg of you to please recall.

Hirade. Know your place.

We are guests and you are the host.

Keep the party cheerful.

Isn't that your role?

Even if you are the retainer to the head,

if you cannot make the distinction,

then you are a fool!

I have gratefully received those words.

Stop. If you draw that sword, you will die.

Let me go! Let me go!

Like father, like son.

You tried to take my life.

Take him into the yard and behead him!

What is going on?

Oh Nobunaga. He tried to kill me. Behead him right away.

That is not true. He is not feeling very well.

Do not lie!

He started running and screaming suddenly.

Did he draw his sword?

No, he did not.

Let him free.

Stand up!

You have ruined the party! Leave!

He isn't ill. He came after my life!

Nobunaga. Everyone here witnessed it. Ask them!

Uncle. I am the Oda head. This is my castle.

When you speak to me, kneel down.

Don't ever forget that spirit.

Attackers! Protect the lord!

Protect the lord!

Lord!

Lord!

He is returning!

He couldn't have gone far! Search!

It's me.

Father.

You fool. I thought you would be up to this.

Can you walk?

Release your hand.

Stand up.

Never return to Owari again.

Now go.

Father.

Leave. And farewell.

Hurry!

To think I must end my life this way.

If Goroemon attached my uncle,

I must behead him. Bring him to me.

I have not seen Goroemon since last night.

You know that excuse will not hold.

I will repent by committing 'hara-kiri.'

No! My uncle wants Goroemon's head.

I refuse to turn over my son.

What did you say?

Sir Nobumitsu belittled me,

so rightfully I should take him on.

But, my son is young and short-tempered,

so he did that on my behalf.

Please let my son off.

What did my uncle say to you?

I cannot repeat it.

Depending on what he said, I may side with you.

Tell me.

Please spare me from that.

Your committing 'hara-kiri' means nothing!

His anger will not subside!

Please look after my family and men.

Things will resolve if I die.

What will happen after this?

Do not commit 'hara-kiri!'

Please allow me to.

Tsuneoki! Prepare for the 'seppuku.'

Jesuit priests gave up their worldly possessions...

to the poor and started penniless.

That lack of greed gained the respect of Europeans.

But, the reverse was true in Japan.

A meager appearance was not respected...

and did not win the trust of the people.

So the priests began wearing shoes...

and tried to look more decent.

I am greatly honored.

Afterwards, do not worry about anything.

I am overjoyed.

My lord...

I have a request.

Please become a great lord.

That is my last will.

I will leave now.

All of you, this is farewell.

A warrior valued the act of 'seppuku.'

To place an emphasis on suicide as formality may seem awkward,

but to the samurai this was an important act.

The Japanese aspire to great form.

Everything was represented by form...

and perhaps subtle differences were enjoyed.

We were not allowed to commit suicide...

because it defied the will of God.

However, in those days,

it was common to slit one's belly in a crossward fashion.

What a frightening trend.

'Sim.'

'Olho.'

What is this?

'Nariz.'

Yes, yes, 'Si.'

How about this?

'Boca.'

No, 'nao.'

'Boca' is mouth. What are lips?

Lips?

'Labio.'

Ah, 'labio.'

Thank you very much.

'Obrigado.'

Your welcome.

Nobunaga may be behind this.

Nobunaga did not change much after Hirade died.

So, until we meet again...

To be continued.

To be continued.