Original subtitles

Long ago, the Chinese viewed themselves as...

the center of the world...

and culturally all others were inferior.

Those from the north were called "Hokuteki,"

the west were "Seiju," the east were "Toi,"

and the south were "Nanban."

The Japanese called the Portuguese "Nanbanjin,"

borrowing the term from the Chinese.

In fact, the Portuguese came to Japan via India and Macao,

and were from the south.

Within Japan itself, Kyoto residents referred to those...

living in the east as "Toi" or eastern barbarians.

Nobunaga was one of those so-called "Toi."

This man Nobunaga, finally took over Mino,

and was now looking towards advancing to Kyoto, the capital.

Missionaries such as Frois also looked to Kyoto...

as a place for spreading Christianity.

Kyoto was aspired by both...

the eastern barbarians and southern barbarians.

Nobunaga

Episode 23: "The Road to Kyoto"

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

Kicho KIKUCHI MOMOKO

Rui TAKAHASHI KEIKO

Ikeda Tsuneoki MATOBA KOJI

Oichi WASHIO ISAKO

Shibata Katsuie TAKITA SAKAE

Kinoshita Tokichiro NAKAMURA TOHRU

Onabe WAKAMURA MAYUMI

Maeda Toshiie HASHIZUME JUN

Niwa Nagahide SUGIMOTO TETTA

Sakuma Nobumori TANAKA KEN

Inaba Yoshimichi SHINODA SABURO

Asai Hisamasa TERADA MINORI

Asai Nagamasa TATSUMI TAKURO

Louis Froez FRANK NEIL

Nene NAKAYAMA MIHO

Takigawa Kazumasu SHIBA TOSHIO

Hayashi Michikatsu UTSUI KEN

Kano Zuiten HIRA MIKIJIRO

Producer: Yagi Masaji

Director: Komatsu Takashi

After Nobunaga took over Mino,

he renamed Inabayama Castle to Gifu Castle.

Then he gathered his vassals around him.

I summoned Sone Castle Lord Inaba Yoshimichi...

to represent the Mino who supported us this time.

From this day forth, they are part of our army.

Call Inaba Yoshimichi here.

Go and get Inaba Yoshimichi.

Inaba Yoshimichi.

These are the head vassals of my army.

As of today, you and the others from Mino are one of us.

Do your best.

We from Mino will make anew our hearts...

and vow to bring you honor to our deaths.

Go to your seat.

Tsuneoki.

That wall blocks the view. Tear it down.

We went so far as renaming the castle,

so let's just rebuild it.

Now, I want to discuss our future.

Since the town was turned to flames and ashes,

a beautiful town must be rebuilt.

To do this, townspeople must be called back;

provincial lords promised their security;

and marketplaces must have bulletin boards again...

to bring order back into their life.

Also, the Mino army is becoming part of our army.

New directions and structures must be evaluated.

In the near future, we will define new responsibilities.

Things will get hectic.

Tsuneoki.

What's happening with our marriage proposal to Asai?

We should be hearing an answer in a day or two.

Owari Lord Oda Nobunaga has captured Inabayama Castle...

and has taken over Mino.

We can't defer decisions any longer.

They will attack us if we refuse them.

Nagamasa. What are you going to do?

It's either a battle or taking a giant as your bride.

We can't go to battle.

There are the Rokkaku to the south and the Oda to the east.

We will be defeated without a doubt.

Then my only option is to get married.

But I don't want Nobunaga's sister, Oichi.

Request any other woman. This is political, anyway.

It shouldn't matter who I get married to.

Let's be an adult.

Who cares what your wife looks like?

Refuse Nobunaga's sister and everything is futile.

But Father...

Besides, you have distinct likes and dislikes.

If you like something, you stay up all night.

If you hate it, you jump at its very sight.

You can't lead a large army into battle that way.

Those who stand above others must learn to hide emotions.

Greet the giant with a smile,

and she will turn into a sweet kitten.

Such a large castle!

Princess, please return to your room.

People will see you.

Don't worry about it.

I will be reprimanded if you go outside.

Don't worry. Just say that I refused to listen.

But princess...

I need to look around if I don't want to get lost.

Such a nice day!

Taka...

I bet the view from that tower is beautiful

Don't even think of it!

I want to go up there.

Please don't!

You will be the laughingstock if you do so!

Please grant me this once in a lifetime request.

Because if you don't, you will never be able to marry.

So please return to your quarters.

You don't need to worry. No man wants to marry this giant.

So I should just enjoy myself.

This is a beautiful view.

My sister who had married into the Mino...

left this castle without ever seeing this view.

And, to think she was forced out by her own brother.

The late Shogun's younger brother, Ashikaga Yoshiaki,

is now residing with Echizen's Asakura Yoshikage.

Yoshiaki wants to go to the capital as soon as possible,

claim rights to be the shogun,

and bring peace and order to the nation.

He asked Echigo's Uesugi, Kai's Takeda,

and Mori to the west, but none responded.

Thus, I have decided to take on that task.

The timing is perfect, right after our Mino victory.

What are your thoughts?

I feel a chill down my back. It's such an honor.

We finally have gotten to this point!

Just that I'm alive to see this day,

makes me feel like I have risen to heaven.

Shibata, it's too early to rejoice.

On our route to Kyoto, we must face the Rokkaku.

Rokkaku is well connected to Miyoshi, who control Kyoto.

Kita-Ise's Kanbe and Kitabatake are his allies.

In addition, Matsunaga Hisahide's army awaits us in Kyoto.

To avoid a pincer attack,

we must get rid of Kita-Ise before we leave for Kyoto.

Earlier we made small attacks,

but this time it will be serious.

But my lord, since Rokkaku supports Kita-Ise,

we may never get past them if it must be done before our departure.

Perhaps we should seek a treaty with Rokkaku,

then Kita-Ise would oblige.

Rokkaku has the man of the times, Miyoshi, behind him.

He may be a hard man to negotiate with.

Pardon me. Leave Kita-Ise to me.

I will defeat them within a month.

We will show them our army's strength,

and then convince Rokkaku to talk.

Please, let me, Shibata, do it.

I have another job for you.

Let Takigawa Kazumasu do it. He's attacked them before.

You're right.

Shibata. Figure out a new structure for our army.

The Mino and Mikawa armies are now part of us.

We must act as one team.

Send an envoy to Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki right away...

and inform him we will be carving our way to Kyoto.

I'm glad this all ended without going to battle.

It feels odd that the lord of this castle is now from Owari.

I know what you mean.

Because I left the Saito family,

it would have been a battle against my birthplace.

But now there is no Saito family of Mino.

It's like you won, but you didn't.

This is just a sign of the times.

I was at Kiyosu Castle serving the Assistant Governor.

I never dreamed I would be serving Lord Oda.

But look at me now.

I'm here in Mino's main Saito Castle.

This is very confusing.

Who knows what may happen tomorrow.

You don't understand a thing!

What is so righteous about that Takeda Shingen?!

He just built a dam and prevented a flood!

But, he kicked his father out in order to rule the land!

If a parent is evil, then it is acceptable!

That Uesugi Terutora you admire runs between Kyoto and Echigo,

only seeking personal glory and fame.

You are so blind!

You can't trust a man satisfied with being Kanto overseer!

Uesugi is fighting on behalf of the Shogun!

It's not for his personal gain.

That's why he never seizes domains!

He has integrity!

Those who speak of integrity are the very ones without it!

Are you accusing me of that?!

Ask yourself that question!

I dare you to say that again!

Stop it, you two.

Arguing and fighting in the castle are prohibited.

He asked for it! I'm taking him on!

Ikeda Tsuneoki, get outside!

Just what I want!

I said stop it! Just calm down, you two.

It takes two to fight. Both of you will be beheaded.

So go on and fight.

By the way Tokichiro, if those two on the top die,

wouldn't that make you happy?

Your goal is to succeed.

Soon, without pain, you will be promoted two positions.

That would be great!

If you want to be sure, I can assign you to behead them.

Then you can really be sure they are beheaded!

I'll be happy to accept that assignment.

What's so funny?

You'll pay for this!

Now, now...

This is a joke.

Let's continue this later. Get Tokichiro first!

Now, now...

I have big news!

We're going to Kyoto!

What's with that look? The lord finally decided.

He will be serving Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki in Kyoto.

It's big times! Isn't that something!

Kyoto?

Oichi's marriage to Omi's Lord Asai was accepted.

We even scheduled a date.

That's auspicious.

It was a choice of a battle or marriage for the Asai.

That's not true.

The Asai family welcomes you from their hearts.

Your husband will be Asai head, Lord Asai Nagamasa.

It's a wonderful marriage arrangement.

I heard they refused me twice.

Don't believe those rumors.

You are twenty this year.

I know you are marrying a bit late, but rejoice,

you will have a good husband.

Oichi is. Right?

Thank you very much. I am happy.

That's right. It couldn't be better.

Yah, I was concerned about Oichi's future for awhile.

This marriage will lift a burden off of me.

You have much to worry about.

Yes. I have one more announcement.

I decided to go to Kyoto and serve Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

Yah, it will be a life threatening undertaking,

but it is something that must be done.

I really want Sir Yoshiaki to return to Kyoto...

and claim his rights as shogun to restore peace and order.

I will serve him as best I can,

and bring righteousness back into this world.

That is admirable.

I'm glad I lived to see you accompany the shogun.

I'm so grateful.

Charge!

To prepare for his journey to Kyoto,

Nobunaga assigned Takigawa Kazumasu to attack Kita-Ise's Kanbe and Nagano.

Takigawa crushed Kita-Ise.

At the age of twenty, Oichi married Omi's Odani Castle Lord Asai Nagamasa.

This was also part of Nobunaga's preparation for his journey to Kyoto.

The lord is here.

I am Oichi.

I hope to be happy with you forever.

Look up.

Yes.

Stand.

Yes.

It was love at first sight.

Gifu Castle

Gather Mino's provincial lords.

Get a count of how many men we have.

We are now counting Sir Mori and Sir Inaba's men.

The town merchants are here to pay their respects.

What should we do?

Have them wait awhile.

Reporting. Our delivery from Sakai just arrived.

Is it rifles?

Yes, rifles, but also saltpeter, deer hide, and foreign goods.

Bring it to the back.

Good work.

I heard Mino had 10,000 men.

How many can we gather now?

Some escaped after the battle and won't return.

I would estimate 6,500 to 7,000 men.

I want at least 8,000. Work it out.

I will need some silver.

You got it.

Good work.

Is everything proceeding along?

Yes. I'm surprised at so many relief letters.

Shrines and temples must be revered.

But, do we need a sign to indicate "marketplace" within temples?

That is common knowledge.

If we put up signs to newly indicate these,

it will be taken as my approval.

Then I can oversee the operation.

And that means profits. You are very mercenary.

It's not to be mercenary. It's to create a new country.

New country?

That's right. I'll explain later.

Nagahide.

After this is done, go to Kiyosu to assist Hayashi.

Pardon me. The goods are now in the yard.

Oh Shoemon, I appreciate it.

Lord, thank you for your continued patronage.

I have just delivered the merchandise.

I'm a bit farther than Kiyosu now.

I'm sure the travel by ship was not easy.

Not at all. I am grateful for your business.

So you brought me fifty rifles?

Yes, exactly.

But, before that...

This is from your wife.

Here.

Is she well?

Yes, very much so. Sakai fits her lifestyle.

Recently, she has been exploring business...

and started collecting foreign merchandise.

Ah, that's right. Please wait a moment.

Thank you for waiting. Here it is.

What is that?

I don't know.

She said it was a very unusual foreign good,

which represents the world.

She wants this given to young Lord Kimyo.

Let me see.

Please.

I see something that looks like a map.

Yes.

So this is our world.

Sakai

Please go in.

Please enter.

Please.

Ah, Lady Kicho. Let's leave.

Just a bit longer.

People may talk if they see you.

Who cares. This is Sakai.

You may catch an illness from them.

Can I help you?

No thanks.

Go in if you like. It is open to everyone.

Don't feel restrained. I promise.

I have a request.

Lady Kicho! Don't talk to them!

Do you want to become a Christian?

No. But...

Come in.

Come in.

Could you let me have the painting of that woman?

That painting there. That beautiful painting.

I can't sell you that.

I'll pay silver. I even have gold.

I can't. But look at it.

Isn't it beautiful?

Yes.

That's a painting of Saint Mary.

You are welcome to come in and look at it.

Such insolence is unforgivable!

What are you saying?

Let's go back.

This was my first encounter with Lady Kicho.

You did a magnificent job attacking Kita-Ise.

I will reward you handsomely.

I am very honored.

But, I am unhappy with this battle.

They had no desire to fight,

and we simply chased them.

Then we negotiated. It was the worst battle.

A weak enemy is good.

It's a problem when they are strong.

No, I want a strong enemy!

I want to fight a battle that is worth the fight!

Don't complain after you have won.

Kita-Ise was afraid of you, so they submitted.

Now we only have Rokkaku to tackle.

If we can reach an agreement with him,

the road to Kyoto will be open.

We are following Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki to Kyoto.

This is like a dream! Kyoto, the capital!

I know.

The lord is a great man.

He wants the new shogun welcomed.

Only awhile ago, Mino was such a landmark to me.

But he was already thinking of Kyoto.

What a man! Don't you agree?

Yes. Yes.

Your sake is spilling.

He also makes no bones about it.

Others would keep it secret until right before the move.

He is large scale!

Yes. Yes.

He's not afraid of God. That's him, all right!

Are you listening?

I'm listening.

So then...

He's not afraid of God, right?

That's right. That's because he believes in himself.

I must learn from him.

That's important.

Exactly. One must be bold-hearted like the lord.

Ya, if he aspires to be shogun...

Perhaps the lord will really become the shogun!

Then what will I be?

Tokichiro Hideyoshi, you are spilling again!

Nene...

Tokichiro, your clothes!

Nene, you may be able to live in Kyoto.

I better work hard so the lord will favor me.

I will support you, too. But first, your clothes...

The lord is so confident. It's as if he is the shogun.

Is anyone there?

Send someone to Owari and bring Zuiten here.

Am I being summoned?

Reporting. Zuiten has arrived.

Send him in.

It's been a long time.

Come in.

Look up.

Yes.

I'm glad to see you alive.

Yes.

Do you believe the heavens saved you?

No, it was by your mercy.

I have no mercy. I'd say you have the devil's luck.

This is petty, but I heard about Matsu, too.

You make a good match.

Thank you.

I called you for a reason.

Yes.

I will serve Sir Ashikaga Yoshiaki to go to Kyoto.

What do you predict?

I don't know...

I am now related to Kai's Takeda, Mikawa's Tokugawa,

and Omi's Asai.

Kita-Ise was defeated...

and my third son Nobutaka became Kanbe's adopted son-in-law,

with my younger brother Nobukane at Anotsu Castle.

Only Rokkaku stands in my way to Kyoto now.

Can I succeed?

I don't know.

Why? Aren't you a messenger of God?

Not anymore.

I'm just a wretched old man who has lived too long.

Don't lie to me!

You are still the same!

Answer me.

Forgive me.

If you are a useless messenger of God,

I will behead you this time.

Well? Now reply.

Then, please wait a moment.

Okay, going to Kyoto will bring you ill-fortune.

You can defeat Rokkaku and arrive at Lake Biwa,

but your fortune will cease right before Kyoto.

Soon, a woman will appear with the sunset in the west behind her.

She is the goddess of death,

and if you depart for Kyoto,

you shall die and the Oda family will be overthrown.

So everybody, until next time...

To be continued.

To be continued.