Original subtitles

Nobunaga's greatest foe was the Ikko Sect.

Technically they were part of the Jodo Sect,

but after Shinran and the Rennyo Era,

they grew to become a formidable power.

They were called the Ikko Sect because they chanted...

"Namu-ami-dabutsu" as a group.

In Sanskrit, it was "Namo-Amitayus Amitabha Buddha."

Amida Buddha established 48 vows to save people,

and in the Jodo Sect, six characters were used as the principal chant.

By chanting this, they were assured of going to heaven after death.

It was a sweet dream to escape from misery.

The result was a group that had no fear of death.

And indeed, they were the greatest foe of Nobunaga's time.

Nobunaga

Episode 38: "The Battle of Nagashino"

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

Onabe WAKAMURA MAYUMI

Ikeda Tsuneoki MATOBA KOJI

Oichi WASHIO ISAKO

Lorenso INAGAWA JUNJI

Maeda Toshiie HASHIZUME JUN

Niwa Nagahide SUGIMOTO TETTA

Sakai Masachika OWADA SHINYA

Takigawa Kazumasu SHIBA TOSHIO

Inaba Yoshimichi SHINODA SABURO

Luis Frois FRANK NEIL

Hashiba Hideyoshi NAKAMURA TOHRU

Sakuma Nobumori TANAKA KEN

Tokugawa Ieyasu GO HIROMI

Producer: Yagi Masaji

Director: Shigemitsu Yukihiko

With the shogun ousted from Kyoto,

to Nobunaga who had the nation under his thumb,

he now only worried about the Takeda army and Kennyo's Ikko.

So Nobunaga decided to attack a focal point of the Ikko...

located near Owari at Ise-Nagashima.

Nagashima was an island in Ise Bay...

where many rivers came together in one place.

It was difficult to invade and very solid.

Nobunaga surrounded Nagashima for 3 months...

and used the Kuki Yoshitaka's navy to attack them even at sea.

Then, on a very windy day at the end of September,

Nobunaga burnt down Nagashima Castle and Nakae Castle...

in which a total of 20,000 people were confined.

The Ikko Sect of Ise-Nagashima were now gone.

The villains can't be forgiven!

Release the many years of hatred!

Burn it down! All of it!

Give Kennyo a lesson!

For three months the Oda army surrounded the castle.

Even without sufficient food rations,

the men fought fiercely with the villains.

But that demon Nobunaga cornered everyone...

into Nagashima Castle and Nakae Castle...

and set fire from all directions.

All 20,000 disciples confined in the castles,

in the midst of the flames,

have been killed.

They have all gone to heaven.

Hongwanji Kennyo

To have such a man as a leader is the end of the world.

May he receive divine punishment.

Comfort those who escaped safely.

I will be there soon to do that as well.

Yes. Your words will surely encourage them.

Zensho...

Yes?

The battle has just begun.

Our disciples are not only in Kaga and Echizen,

but there are many more throughout Japan.

The Miyoshi and Mori are also our allies.

Together, we should be able to defeat Nobunaga.

Justice will prevail.

He will see the power of the Amidabha.

Languages change with the country,

but these characters are really peculiar.

You write horizontally and read left to right.

In Japan, we write vertically and read up and down from right to left.

Ask them any questions you may also have.

I have a question.

Bateren...

Yes?

Are there battles in Western Europe, too?

Yes, there are many.

Ah, they have them in Western Europe too.

But, are they as valiant and fierce as ours?

Compared to Europe, the battles in Japan are mild.

Mild?

Yes. In Japan you negotiate before a battle.

Even if you are defeated, people still live.

In Europe, it is different.

There are no negotiations.

Everyone is killed in battle.

Battles in Japan end in a month or two.

In Europe, they last for 3, 5 or 10 years...

Lorenso.

Yes.

Is what he is saying true?

Bateren doesn't lie.

It isn't a lie. The Japanese are quiet.

The battles in Japan are small.

It's not a battle... It's more like a big fight.

European battles are with tens and thousands of people...

against tens and thousands of people.

It is better to have small battles.

That's right. We can do without battles.

Inaba! He is poking fun at our battles.

It doesn't matter.

I heard that you eat meat from creatures.

Yes, we do.

I heard you eat cows, horses, dogs, and chickens.

Yes, God created them so we are able to survive.

But, isn't it cruel to kill a living creature?

For man to live is foremost.

That may be so, but the Japanese can live without eating them.

You can also live without killing animals.

The Japanese eat fish.

Chicken and fish are the same.

No, that not true. Fish are cold-blooded.

But cows, horses, and dogs help and love their owners.

Chickens and fish may be inferior to dogs,

but they still have a life.

People are born with sins and live with their sins.

One day each week, we do not eat meat.

We repent for our sins and deny our desires...

so we can be close to our God.

Pardon me, I wish to clarify this.

The bateren do not eat any meat.

For one thing, there is nothing available here.

The bateren eat what the Japanese eat every day.

When a hungry man comes to the door,

they provide them with their food.

And, why would they eat their beloved dog?

Who would eat a horse that helps with labor?

I have a request.

Our church is small and old.

We would like to build a new church.

Can we get your approval?

You have my approval.

We are very grateful.

Thank you very much.

But, to build it on the present spot,

we will need to go three stories high.

The land is too small.

But, the people in the town are against it,

since they feel we will be looking down on them.

Alright.

I will ask Murai, the Shoshidai (official) to talk to the people.

Don't worry.

Build a beautiful church in this capital...

and awaken those lazy Buddhist priests.

Yes.

Pardon me. Lady Oichi is on her way.

Please let her through.

I am delighted to have you visit me today.

When is my brother returning from Kyoto?

I still haven't heard anything.

My brother invaded the Ikko at Ise-Nagashima...

and burned over ten thousand people.

All I heard was that he had won the battle.

Nagashima Castle and Nakae Castle were burned completely down...

and not a soul lives on the island now.

Battles are cruel.

But, the Ikko Sect took the life of His Majesty's brother and many others.

They have also rebelled against his cause.

Many women and children lived on those islands.

Why did he have to kill and burn the weak?

Hasn't he lowered himself to an animal?

Pardon me, but I must disagree.

Why?

A warm hearted leader will let the weak escape before the battle.

Even if the Ikko Sect believe they will go to heaven,

using women and children as warriors should not be allowed.

One must forget emotions in battles.

I am more worried about what His Majesty had to go through.

You don't know him.

My brother doesn't have any feelings.

If he does, then it is only that of a devil.

Siding with him will make you become like him.

Even if that should happen, I will side with him.

Spring 1575

We must get rid of all those who sided with the Hongwanji.

Next, I will destroy all the castles in Kawachi.

Oh yeah...

About the road from Kyoto to Otsu...

I instructed that it be 20 feet wide,

to grow pines and willows alongside it,

and to sweep it twice a day every day.

But, I hear it is swept only when I pass through.

Check into that right away!

I didn't order sweeping those roads...

or leveling those cliffs of Hiei for my selfish reasons!

The bridge over Lake Biwa isn't only for the army.

People don't understand what I am doing.

The width I specified makes sweeping, traveling,

and horse transportation easier.

Then goods are delivered faster...

and travelers can enjoy their journeys better.

But they act as if this chore was forced upon them.

Why can't they see this road was made for them?!

Forgive me.

I'm not putting the blame on you.

This is to all of you! You men don't understand!

Why do you think I got rid of checkpoints?

Why did I create markets and eliminate guilds?!

This is all for the sake of the people!

Who am I fighting battles for day in and out?!

It's not because I like going to battle!

Are the people of Japan trying to kill me?!

Make sure you relay this to everyone!

All of you, leave!

My Lord, I have a report.

A messenger from Tokugawa Ieyasu is here.

What is it?

Has the Takeda army reappeared?

Yes. They suspect they are heading for Mikawa.

Therefore, he requests your assistance.

Alright...

We will fight Ishiyama Hongwanji later.

We will retreat back to Gifu tomorrow.

Tell the messenger that I have agreed to it.

I must get all of Japan under me soon.

I can't be going to battles until my deathbed.

Kai's Takeda army entered Mikawa in May,

and surrounded Ieyasu's Nagashino Castle.

The leader of the Takeda was Shingen's son, Takeda Katsuyori.

It's been some time, hasn't it?

Yes, it has. How are things in Kyoto?

The burnt and barren lands stand out.

I must do something about it.

You must be very busy.

I am sorry to ask for assistance at this time.

I would do anything for you, Lord Tokugawa.

I still owe you from Takatenjin Castle.

Forgive me for not being there in time.

No, not at all.

How is my Princess Gotoku?

Yes, very well.

Good. After we get rid of the Takeda this time,

I will give you a chance to rest for awhile.

But, the Takeda horse troops are very powerful.

We must come up with a good strategy.

Takigawa... Shoot as I ordered.

Are the guns fused?

Okay, then we'll start.

Look over there.

It's about one "cho" (120 yards) from here.

Imagine that as the enemy camp.

The Takeda horse troops will come in waves.

Our rifle teams of three men per team will shoot one after another.

The first will shoot, and while the second and third are shooting,

the first will get ready to shoot again.

Then, let's begin.

We're starting!

Are we ready?

Flag down!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Hurry!

Fire!

Next! Fire!

Stop.

Stop!

It's no good.

At this rate, the guns will be of no use.

What do you think?

It's quite impressive.

I think we can suppress the Takeda horse troops.

Let's make a barrier.

We will shoot them one after another,

but also have double walls to keep them out.

That way, the rifle teams won't have to rush to prepare to shoot,

and still be able to stop them.

The foot soldiers can be kept out, too.

That's right.

Any other views?

Your Highness... I wish to speak.

Forget the frills. Get to the point.

What if we make a wall, but they don't attack?

The Takeda horse troops will attack for sure.

How do you know for sure?

When they see our wall, they may change their plans.

No, they will attack for sure.

The Takeda see themselves as invincible, so they will come for sure.

The crucial point is the number of rifles.

How many rifles do we have?

We have about 300.

Pardon me. We have over a thousand.

Can you have some delivered?

The more we have, the better off we are.

Tadatsugu. Split up and get more.

We will do that, too!

Make arrangements to get logs for the wall.

Anything that can be a wall will do.

Every man must carry a log over.

Hurry!

Reporting! The Oda army is building a long wall at Shitara-ga-hara.

It must be about 600 or 700 yards long.

What shape is it?

Double walled to keep our horse troops out.

Well, that is understandable.

Good job.

But combined the Oda and Tokugawa outnumber us.

Why are they building a wall?

They have rifles.

But once they are fired, rifles are useless.

The first troop will need to be careful.

I wish to take on that responsibility.

Are you rushing to your death?

No. Being the vanguard is an honor to a warrior.

My soldiers would desire that role, too.

I am told that Takeda Katsuyori was Shingen's son,

but he was not born in Kai, nor was his mother,

who was a concubine from Shinano.

For that reason, he was not appropriate to lead the Takeda army.

He was also willful.

Attack them before the fog clears.

Show them how fearful our horse troops are!

The horsemen may come near, but they can't come across that wall.

So don't rush!

As a team, aim and shoot accurately!

They will be here soon!

Those are the Suwa drums from Katsuyori's hometown.

That means the enemy will be attacking soon.

That's right.

The enemy will be attacking soon.

Get your rifles ready!

Get ready!

Get ready!

They're coming...

Aim!

Not yet!

Don't rush!

Fire!

Retreat!

Don't rush! Don't rush!

Reporting! Our horse troops are attacking continuously,

but the enemy has too many rifles so we can't get inside!

How do they do that?!

I don't know!

Find out right away!

What is going on?

Reporting!

The enemy has double walls to keep the horses out...

and they have a steady supply of riflemen.

Our horse troops will be wiped out.

Please order them to retreat.

What are you talking about?!

Our troops can easily overcome those walls!

It would be a disgrace if we lost to their rifles!

Please order the troops to retreat!

Our army will be totally destroyed!

Why?!

The enemy has some kind of trick.

Until we find out, let's retreat!

I'll go myself!

You mustn't!

Uncle, a warrior should not fear a rifle!

Lord!

Reporting! Sir Yanmagata Saburobyoei was killed in action!

What? Yamagata was?!

Damn Nobunaga! Get my horse!

Baba!

Don't fear the rifles!

The late Lord Shingen is behind us!

Charge!

Stop firing!

Stop firing!

Stop!

Stop!

Yamagata Saburobyoei, dead...

Baba Mino-no-kami, dead...

Yokota Bichu-no-kami, dead...

Amari Tozo, dead...

Sanada Gentazaemon, dead...

Kawakubo Kengo-no-kami, dead...

Tsuchiya Munezo, dead...

Sugihara Hyuga-no-kami, dead...

I believe the rifles won over Takeda's horse troops.

Let's go!

Nobunaga and Tokugawa defeated the Takeda at the Battle of Nagashino,

but it was due to the rifles.

After this battle, Nobunaga was relieved from the powerful foe of the east.

Everyone, why do we do this?

About this time, there was a sudden increase in the number of Christians.

Could it be because Nobunaga, the ruler of the nation,

had taken special care of us?

The rumors led to Catholicism becoming popular among the curious Japanese.

So everybody, until next time...

To be continued.

To be continued.