Original subtitles

When Nobunaga moved his castle from Kiyosu...

to Komakiyama to the north,

the threats to the east were Kai's Takeda Shingen...

and Echigo's Uesugi Terutora.

But, there were a number of threats to the west as well.

They were the strong army of Asai Nagamasa,

north of Lake Biwa,

and his ally, Asakura Yoshikage of Echizen.

Then, in the Konan area was Rokkaku Jotei,

who battled Asai.

To the south were Ise's Kanabe and Kitabatake.

Back in Kyoto, the power behind Shogun Ashikaga,

Miyoshi Chokei had died,

and retainer Matsunaga Hisahide sought to replace him.

As governor of Kyoto, Matsunaga was already powerful,

but he aspired to further manipulate the shogun.

The shogun was weary of this situation,

and a perilous tension began to grow between the two.

But Nobunaga still had his eyes set on Mino...

and had no time to be involved in these politics.

Nobunaga

Episode 21: "The Assassination of the Shogun"

Original Story & Screenplay: Tamukai Seiken

Music: Mori Kurodo

Original Subtitles TV Network Japan, Inc.

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles Kame Fansubs

CAST

Oda Nobunaga OGATA NAOTO

Shino TAKAGI MIHO

Ikeda Tsuneoki MATOBA KOJI

Shibata Katsuie TAKITA SAKAE

Hosokawa Fujitaka KATSUNO HIROSHI

Maeda Toshiie HASHIZUME JUN

Niwa Nagahide SUGIMOTO TETTA

Sakuma Nobumori TANAKA KEN

Matsunaga Hisahide SHIMIZU KOJI

Akechi Mitsuhide MICHAEL TOMIOKA

Louis Froez FRANK NEIL

Kinoshita Tokichiro NAKAMURA TOHRU

Takigawa Kazumasu SHIBA TOSHIO

Hayashi Michikatsu UTSUI KEN

Kano Zuiten HIRA MIKIJIRO

Producer: Yagi Masaji

Director: Shigemitsu Yukihiko

1565

I arrived in Kyoto on February 1, 1565.

According to the Japanese calendar,

it was the 8th year of Eiroku, on January 1st.

I'm glad you're here!

I finally made it.

How I waited. I'm so glad you came.

I brought salami, cheese and other goodies.

In Japan, New Year's was a festival...

and the most important among the many they had.

I was to accompany Father Vilela to pay respects...

to the shogun at New Year's.

Cheers to many years of happiness!

The New Year's address, "Kyokei Senshu Banzei,"

was commonly used to say may your happiness and joy...

continue for thousands and ten thousands of years.

My first experience with the capital was fascinating.

The architecture was the epitome of cleanliness and orderliness.

Even the Buddhist figures we deny in our faith,

should be acknowledged for their artistic value.

I may have seen more if places weren't battle worn.

As a matter of fact,

less than a half year after my arrival in Japan,

another battle broke out.

Our army crossed the Kiso River,

and captured both Unuma Castle and Saruhami Castle.

We have armies ready at Sunomata to the west as well.

Recently, Kajita lord, Sato Kii-no-kami joined us.

Now we just need to decide when to attack.

But, because east Mino is close to Shinano,

if we invade that area, we may irritate Takeda Shingen.

So I have proposed a marriage with Shingen.

The same was done with Uesugi and Asai.

If things go well, we will push it along.

We then have Mino isolated.

That's great. Maybe they will submit.

Pardon me, but from my past experiences fighting Mino,

I found their army extremely tough.

If their neighbors become their foes,

and they see no hope, they will fight even harder.

Thus, it is better to attack while they are off guard.

You just want to go to battle.

It's not that.

Think before fighting.

I've fought in many battles till this day...

and experienced them with this body.

For some strange reason, each battle has its smell.

It's a smell that the enemy gives off.

Regardless of the strategy or numbers,

if the enemy's smell is threatening, the battle will be lost.

If we attack now, we can win.

Do the Mino smell of sweet dried persimmons?

Sir Nobutsugu...

Either we fight east Mino or lure west Mino.

We can defeat Inabayama Castle if we go today.

Shibata! Calm down.

We can't fight battles based on smell!

Reporting! Sir Mori Yoshinari and Sir Niwa Nagahide are back!

We have just returned.

Good work. How were things in Mino?

Yoshitatsu's son, Tatsuoki, is not well regarded.

Provincial lords are a bit dissatisfied.

However, for the most part, they are still zealous,

and refuse to be taken over by an outsider.

Ya, I am once again impressed by my former Mino colleagues.

Only I lack virtue.

I hope you are not missing you Mino colleagues.

No, in fact, I feel more distant from them.

Nagahide. What did you find?

Kajita has the provisions prepared.

We can make our move at any time.

Reporting! Sir Kawajiri Hidetaka has just returned!

I apologize for being late.

Kai is very far after all.

Good work. What did Takeda Shingen say?

He holds you up with high regard,

and will consider your proposal immediately.

This is his letter to you.

Now, if only Uesugi and Asai respond favorably.

Ah, that's right. I've forgotten.

Hayashi.

I have Takigawa Kazumasu and Kinoshita Tokichiro waiting.

Call them in.

Somebody!

Have Takigawa Kazumasu and Kinoshita Tokichiro come in.

My lord. Are you rewarding those two?

I'll have them sit in the back from today.

Those two?

That's right.

Takeda Shingen is in favor of my proposal.

But, who knows how he really feels.

Sir Takigawa Kazumasu and Sir Kinoshita Tokichiro are here.

The two of you come in and sit in the back.

I am so honored!

Thank you very much!

My lord, I would like to express my warmest appreciation!

This is something I have never dreamt about!

It is the greatest honor I have ever received!

Yah, I am ever so grateful!

I can't stop myself from laughing!

Forgive me... It's m... my throat!

To reciprocate your kindness, I Takigawa Kazumasu,

hereby swear to God to take the heads of 1000 men!

I swear to capture 100 castles!

Don't make up stories! There aren't 100 castles!

Sir Takigawa, it's the spirit of the moment.

Words of grandeur can lead to dreams of grandeur.

Fool! You lied to the lord!

Shut up!

You two are impossible! Get to your seats!

Just sit anywhere! Like the corner there!

Keep your mouths shut for awhile!

Forgive me. Now to return to Mino.

Reporting.

What is it?

Vassal of Echizen's Asakura, Akechi Mitsuhide is at the gate.

He has brought this letter and requests to see you.

Echizen's Asakura?

Give me the letter.

Show him to the guest room.

How were things in Mikawa?

Matsudaira is quite a man.

He almost has the Imagawa out of the Mikawa domain.

Then he is moving faster than I expected.

Yes.

I'll provide you the details later.

Come with me.

If this man I'm meeting is an imposter, I'll kill him.

Introduce yourself.

Yes. I am Echizen's Asakura Yoshikage's vassal Akechi Mitsuhide.

Please accept my apologies for this sudden visit.

Let me see your face.

Who are you?

I am the man I said I was.

Then why did you bring me a letter from the shogun?

Since when does Asakura's vassals...

serve as messengers for the shogun?

Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru sensed his life was in danger...

and left that letter with Sir Hosokawa Fujitaka.

I'm a representative of the Asakura clan to the shogun.

Thus, Sir Hosokawa handed me the letter.

Right now the country is at the whim of the lord of Shigisan Castle,

Matsunaga Hisahide.

Together with Miyoshi, they plan to glorify...

the shogun's nephew Ashikaga Yoshichika to kill the shogun.

The shogun has sent envoys to Echigo's Uesugi, Kai's Takeda,

and others for their support by coming to Kyoto right away.

Please lead your troops to Kyoto to protect the shogun!

I beg of you.

I have a report.

Yesterday at Nijo Castle, Shogun Ashikaga...

was attacked by Matsunaga Hisahide and Miyoshi Yoshitsugu...

and lost his life.

For us missionaries, the shogun was an important man.

He approved the spread of Christianity,

which allowed Father Vilela and others to remain in Kyoto.

Let me explain how this incident occurred.

I was living in Kyoto by this time.

It happened on the morning of May 19th.

We will join forces and create a new nation!

Matsunaga Hisahide couldn't manipulate the shogun,

so he enticed the shogun's nephew Yoshichika into taking over.

Forgive me! The Matsunaga and Miyoshi armies have surrounded us!

Damn Hisahide! Damn Yoshitsugu!

They surrounded Nijo Castle knowing they have us trapped!

Uesugi Terutora is all mouth!

Rokkaku and Asakura are unreliable, too.

I will commit suicide to repent for this!

Don't do it!

Kill as many men as you can, and show them the dignity of the shogun!

I'd rather commit suicide!

I cannot apologize to you in any other way!

Please forgive me for leaving you first!

One...

Two...

Three...

Bateren! Bateren!

Matsunaga's army has surrounded Nijo Castle!

It's the end for the shogun!

Was the shogun killed?

It might as well be! Don't step out!

The shogun will be killed.

We will be in an unfavorable position.

Close the windows.

Even if I die, men, don't kill yourselves.

Fight until the bitter end.

I want as many of those lowly men killed.

This place here is the heart of Japan.

We are the nation!

Reporting! The enemy is up close!

For the first time in my life, I can live fully!

Advance!

It's the shogun!

Don't let him escape! I'll kill him!

Move! The rifles!

My sword!

This incident eventually led Nobunaga to go to Kyoto.

For us missionaries, this was a major event.

Matsunaga was swayed by the Buddhist bonzes...

and Christians were expelled from Kyoto.

But, Nobunaga was still nailed to Mino.

In August, Nobunaga's men crossed the Kiso River...

and began serious attacks on eastern Mino.

Reporting! Sir Niwa Nagahide's and Sir Kawajiri Hidetaka's...

armies are attacking Dobora Castle!

Good work.

Reporting! 1000 warriors on horse left Seki Castle under...

Nagai Hayato-no-suke heading towards Kajita Castle!

So Hayato-no-suke is finally making his move.

He is Tatsuoki's uncle...

and probably cannot forgive Sato for his betrayal!

It will be a tough battle!

My lord, I'll go.

We need your army to capture Seki Castle!

Tsuneoki!

My lord. My army knows no fatigue.

The more we fight, the stronger we get!

I know.

Tsuneoki, your army will go first!

Nagai Hayato-no-suke will cross the Tsubo River...

around Fort Hitase and head straight for Kajita.

We have men waiting on this side of the Tsubo River,

but with 1000 men on horses, we'd be defeated.

Your army will attack here before he gets to Kajita Castle.

Then the Kajita soldiers can block them in.

Yes, sir.

The enemy is tough. Be careful.

Dobora Castle should be ours before dark.

That means only Seki Castle remains.

Once we capture Seki Castle, east Mino would be clear,

and Tatsuoki's Inabayama Castle will be unprotected.

He's a rat!

He's taking one castle at a time and making a nest!

What a coward!

Why doesn't he challenge me head on?

He's cutting off my limbs one at a time before the kill!

I won't allow it!

Did you call me?

No, I didn't!

I'm out of sake!

I can't just wait for him!

There must be a way.

Damn Nobunaga!

Damn Nobunaga!

Someone!

We may need to go to battle soon!

Have the men get ready!

Damn Nobunaga! Watch me!

You'll see how powerful my army is!

Reporting!

Dobora Castle is a sea of flames.

Good work. Get some rest.

Congratulations.

But, being notified of a victory at the main camp isn't fun.

At your age, you're the only one who would...

rather be on the battlefield swinging your sword and fighting!

I suppose your sword is a bit too heavy.

When it is, I can always use it as my pillow.

Sir Ikeda Tsuneoki has just returned!

I just got back!

It looks like you had a good battle.

Good work.

Nagai's army retreated.

Is Kajita Castle safe?

Yes.

How many men on horses were killed?

About 100.

100... How many allies did we lose?

Fifteen or sixteen.

We attacked them before Kajita as you suggested...

and Hayato-no-suke's men were surprised!

The battle was won before the hour.

Good job!

I should have gone.

Hayashi.

Takeda spies may be watching this battle.

Yes. Shinano is only a stone's throw away.

Takeda Shingen may be weary of our power.

That's right. Shingen has fought a hundred battles...

and is famous for being a strategist.

We must be on guard for what he may plan.

Send another man to Kofu.

I must settle that marriage immediately.

Keep working on Uesugi and Asai.

Yes, my lord.

Until I get Mino, no one must get in my way!

It is said that deep into autumn of that year,

Nobunaga's adopted daughter married Takeda Shingen's 4th son,

Takato Castle Lord, Suwa Shiro Katsuyori.

Unlike Imagawa Yoshimoto,

Nobunaga used a different strategy to protect himself from major threats.

May 1566

Come.

We have transferred the late shogun's younger brother,

Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki, to Lake Biwa in Yashima.

We must form an army for the cause of justice...

and go to Kyoto as soon as possible.

Kyoto is now in ruins,

with Matsunaga and Miyoshi running the place as they please.

Now, they want Yoshichika from the branch family...

to become the next shogun.

This is unacceptable.

Matsunaga is doing this for his personal gain...

and is going against the righteous flow of things.

Righteous flow?

Exactly.

The shogunate kept the righteous flow over generations...

and shunned outside families.

The rightful heir after Shogun Yoshiteru's death...

would be his brother Yoshiaki, and none other.

The righteous flow is the main flow...

that is powerful enough to reach to the ocean.

I've heard someone use those same words before.

Then, let me ask you once again...

Please join with Ashikaga Yoshiaki's army...

and return justice to the land by heading to Yashima.

That is what Ashikaga Yoshiaki asks of you!

I can feel for you.

I would like to leave even today, but if I do so,

Mino's Saito Tatsuoki will attack in my army's absence.

That is as clear as day.

Please relay to Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki that I need more time.

Then, we will go to Mino, speak to Saito Tatsuoki,

and have it halted with Ashikaga Yoshiaki as mediator.

I can get Mino with one more step.

We must get revenge on Tatsuoki for my late father-in-law Saito Dosan.

Thus, I must kill him no matter what.

I will depart for Kyoto the day I accomplish that,

so please give me a little more time.

What if Saito Tatsuoki would reconcile?

I intend to capture his Inabayama Castle before that!

If he bucks the righteous flow and attacks Mino,

he will be defeated.

I won't be defeated! Advance!

Get Nobunaga's head!

Did he go against the righteous flow,

or did he misjudge the situation? I don't know.

But, the battle of that day was a dismal defeat.

Night attack!

It's a night attack! Protect his lordship!

Serve as his shield!

Line up the spear soldiers! Hurry!

Protect the lord!

Hah, with the righteous flow!

Stomp on it! Stomp on the righteous flow!

Ashikaga Yoshiaki

Reporting.

Rokkaku Jotei has joined with Miyoshi...

and a conspiracy is anticipated.

What do you plan to do?

Let's escape to Echizen.

We must rely on Asakura Yoshikage!

Hurry. Get the boat ready to depart!

Feudal lords are so unreliable.

I won't let him get to the great ocean...

Be defeated...

Then, leave this world!

So everybody, until next time...

To be continued.

To be continued.