Original subtitles

Although Nobunaga was ruling the nation,

he was surrounded by enemies.

There were still Kai's Takeda to the east,

Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin to the north, with whom he had never fought,

and Settsu's Ishiyama Hongwanji to the west.

Nobunaga had fought the Ikko Sects for years...

and had demolished them in Ise-Nagashima and Echizen,

but Ishiyama Hongwanji's Kennyo was still alive.

Nobunaga was injured in one defeat.

Then, a powerful lord, Mori Terumoto of Aki,

joined the crusade with Shogun Yoshiaki, making them even more formidable.

But, Nobunaga did not limit himself to battles.

He started building a new castle in Omi at Mt. Azuchi.

If this majestic castle and castle town been completed,

it would have been a major city.

Nobunaga not only destroyed the old,

but built new things.

To destroy and to build,

that was the story of Nobunaga's life.

Nobunaga

Episode 41: "Bateren Prepares for Death"

Original Story & Screenplay: Tamukai Seiken

Music: Mori Kurodo

Original Subtitles TV Network Japan, Inc.

Transcribed and Edited Subtitles Kame Fansubs

Translation Assistance Koala Fansubs

CAST

Oda Nobunaga OGATA NAOTO

Akechi Mitsuhide MICHAEL TOMIOKA

Takigawa Kazumasu SHIBA TOSHIO

Inaba Yoshimichi SHINODA SABURO

Lorenso INAGAWA JUNJI

Maeda Toshiie HASHIZUME JUN

Niwa Nagahide SUGIMOTO TETTA

Araki Murashige HONDA HIROTARO

Luis Frois FRANK NEIL

Hashiba Hideyoshi NAKAMURA TOHRU

Sakuma Nobumori TANAKA KEN

Hayashi Michikatsu UTSUI KEN

Producer: Yagi Masaji

Director: Shigemitsu Yukihiko

When the new church in Kyoto was completed,

I was assigned to Bungo in Kyushu.

During that year, many around Kyoto had been baptized.

Among those who were fond of novelty,

being a Christian was supposedly a fad.

Nobunaga kept fighting the Ikko Sects,

while at the same time building his castle at Azuchi.

It was to be taller than the Five-story Pagoda.

New Year's 1578

Akechi.

Yes.

Where are you in your plans to be related to Hosokawa by marriage?

We have decided for the fall of this year.

Is that so? That's good to hear.

More of our vassals need to be interrelated.

Blood relations will create loyalty.

Araki.

You are now part of our army.

Although you are related to Akechi by marriage,

you may also want to be related to Hosokawa.

That is more than I could wish for.

You are the lord of Settsu.

Since Ishiyama Hongwanji lies within your domain,

I realize the hardships you are facing.

Your subordinates must be restless as well.

Your sensitivity is appreciated.

In order to have more separate themselves from the Ikko,

we may want to promote Christianity.

Your subordinate, Takatsuki Castle lord Takayama Ukon,

is a devoted Christian.

Discuss this possibility with him.

Christians believe in God and the good.

It resembles the teachings of Confucius and Mencius.

They also don't take up arms and get violent like the Ikko Sect.

Let me forewarn you all...

The defiant will not be forgiven,

and those who obey will be well rewarded.

We have a long way to go before completion,

but since today is New Year's Day and very special,

I will allow you to just see my room.

Come in. Stand in the center.

What do you think? The paintings are all by Kano Eitoku.

He is the greatest artist of these times.

Nobutada.

This will all be yours someday.

This Azuchi will seat Japan's greatest city,

and the heartbeat of Japan will be east of Kyoto.

Those piles of gold are fighting funds.

It's for my upcoming conquest of Japan.

I can have war of any form.

I can even send large troops to the farthest ends of Japan.

To reward your achievements,

I will need this many gold coins, too.

Wow, what a knockout!

It really is a knockout.

His Majesty lives in the Dragon's Palace!

I'm impressed.

Calm down.

Look at the piles of gold coins he has.

They represent paradise!

We can buy all of Japan without fighting!

He showed us that so you will all work harder.

The Ishiyama Hongwanji are still undefeated. Why?

Because there are those who want His Majesty dead!

Last year, we fought with shogunate allies like the Mori,

Uesugi Kenshin, and Kii's Saiga and Negoro.

Matsunaga Hisahide betrayed us!

This year things may get even more difficult.

All of you should be on your guard.

No one is now a match for His Majesty.

But, those like Mori who side with the shogun dare to go against him based on justice.

Then we should attack Mori and behead the shogun.

Defeating the Hongwanji is the first priority.

They are presently confined to their camps...

and are waiting for help from the Mori and Uesugi.

Cutting off their food supply and waiting for them to surrender...

is being a bit too patient.

Let's attack them at once and get rid of them!

Then the Mori won't be able to get involved either.

In spring, Nobunaga took Juste Ukon to visit the church in Kyoto.

It heightened our credibility when a leader such as Nobunaga visited us.

Um, this has a very unique taste.

What is this made of?

It's from a fruit not yet found in Japan.

Is it like mulberry or Indian strawberry?

In Portuguese it is called "uva."

Uva... Uva.

Uva?

Yes.

This is my first time in a Christian church.

The decor is very unusual.

Takayama Ukon.

Yes.

I heard you assisted them a lot to build this church.

No, I couldn't do much at all.

Hida-no-kami.

I heard Ukon is doing a good job as lord of Takatsuki Castle.

You are fortunate to have such a fine heir.

I am honored by your words.

Because Ishiyama Hongwanji is in Settsu,

there are many battles and you are burdened.

Support Araki in every way you can.

Are there many churches like this in Europe?

No.

There aren't?

In Europe the churches look different.

In Europe they are all built with stones.

And, they are tall, reaching to the sky.

Ask him if they are taller than the Five-story Pagoda.

They are. They are twice as tall.

Twice as tall?

Yes.

Ask him if he can sketch it for me.

Can you make a sketch of a European church?

Yes.

Please wait a moment.

Lorenso.

Yes?

How many Christians are there in Kyoto?

There are just a few hundred.

That's not very many.

Yes. The people in Kyoto do not trust outsiders.

Building this church was very painful, too.

Without your approval, this land would be covered with weeds.

You are our savior.

I see.

But, in Takatsuki, we have about 10,000 Christians.

If we include Amagasaki, Yamato, and Kyushu,

the numbers exceed 100,000.

Oh, now that is good to hear.

Keep working on spreading your word.

Call upon the Ikko and Hokke believers,

and convert as many as you can to Christianity.

We are so grateful to hear those words.

We will do our best.

This is a church in Rome. Please.

This is built completely from stone?

Yes, all of it.

Yes, all of it.

We want to build a church in Azuchi.

We want the people to see a Roman church.

Let me explain.

With your approval, Padre Organtino wants to build a church in Azuchi.

Being located within your city would mean...

that you have acknowledged our faith...

and would be better accepted by the people.

Then we can spread the word as Your Majesty has said.

Please give us your approval.

You want to build a church like this in Azuchi?

Yes. Yes.

I will think about it.

We are grateful!

Pardon me.

A messenger just arrived from Azuchi...

and reported that Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin has died.

I see...

Uesugi Kenshin's death meant Nobunaga's foe to the rear was gone.

Nobunaga thus began invading to the west.

He gathered his army at Ishiyama Hongwanji, Tanba, and Harima.

Then an incident occurred.

It was a major incident for us Christians, too.

Reporting! Settsu's Araki Murashige changed sides to the Mori...

and is now an ally with the Ishiyama Hongwanji.

What? Araki Murashige has betrayed us?

All the lords under him are now our enemies!

Why did he betray us?

I don't know.

What did Akechi say?

Just to let His Majesty know immediately!

I am departing immediately. Get my horse!

It was suicidal for Nobunaga to have all of Settsu as his foe.

So he quickly set up camp at Takatsuki.

Reporting. Sir Inaba has returned.

Send him in.

I have just returned.

What was Hongwanji's response?

Reconciliation was ordered by the envoy,

but Hongwanji Kennyo pledged loyalty to Mori...

and said they could not make the decision.

Then Mori should reconcile with us, too.

That will isolate Araki and make him reconsider.

Then I will petition the Imperial Court again...

and have an envoy sent to the Mori.

Reporting. Sir Maeda has returned.

Send him in.

He is here.

Come in.

I appreciate your coming. Have a seat.

Have a seat.

Yes.

Padre, please sit.

Thanks for coming all the way here.

You're welcome.

Now, I'm in trouble.

Yes.

As you might have heard,

Settsu's Araki Murashige rose in revolt.

He switched to the side of your enemy, the Ikko Sect.

It's no big deal if it was only Araki.

But castle owners working under him follow his orders.

So the entire Settsu Province is becoming my enemy.

Now, I want you to do me a favor.

Yes.

I don't like battles.

I want to reconcile with them through discussions, if possible.

Especially, Takatsuki Castle, a castle near here,

had been supported by Takayama Ukon's power of justice.

It's the most important castle in Settsu.

I want to urge Ukon to reconsider.

I want to help him.

Fortunately, he is a good Christian.

He will listen to what you two say.

Can you see him and urge him to reconsider?

Let me humbly speak up, sire.

We appreciate your kind words.

But we are incapable of completing such big missions.

We hope you will forgive us.

First,

translate my words for Padre.

Yes.

Lorenso.

Yes.

Tell him,

"If I can have Ukon back,"

"I will help Christians even more."

Yes.

Later, I heard that Lorenso visited Sir Ukon that night,

with Sir Nobunaga and Padre Organtino's letters.

Brother Lorenso.

Yes.

Thank you for coming.

You're welcome.

It was my gratitude to read Lord Nobunaga and Padre's letters.

Thank you.

But I work for Sir Araki, guardian of Settsu.

I cannot give you my answer now.

I will visit Sir Araki at Arioka Castle tomorrow.

And I will tell him to reconsider again.

Ukon.

Yes.

Don't make such a promise.

Brother Lorenso.

Tell Padre,

"We, Father and Son Takayama, work for the guardian of Settsu."

"As samurai, we must follow the master we chose."

"If we betray him like Judas,"

"that will be against Jesus Christ's teachings."

Yes.

I have no intention of betraying Lord Nobunaga.

Sir Araki has Ukon's first son and younger sister as hostages.

That's why Ukon remonstrated Sir Araki.

But he couldn't change Sir Araki's mind.

When it comes to this,

he has no other choice than dying with Sir Araki.

Yes.

Brother Lorenso.

Yes.

Please give my regards to Lord Nobunaga.

Yes.

Arioka Castle

To be honest,

I don't get along with Sir Nobunaga.

You are my in-law.

But I can't listen to you this time.

If I keep following him,

I will have to help him burn up the entire Japan. I don't want that.

I've already destroyed many provinces and crushed Ikko Sect revolts.

By upholding "Tenka Fubu" (spread militarism over the whole land),

he is going to chop off all the dissenters' heads.

How can I keep doing such things?

Ishiyama Honganji has 40,000 followers as refugees on its grounds.

He has been surrounding the temple for a long time.

Is he going to starve them to death before he burns up the temple?

I am the guardian of Settsu.

Ishiyama Honganji is a temple in my province.

I cannot mercilessly attack the temple with Sir Nobunaga.

Sir Mori is trying to help the temple now.

Sir Mori is from another province.

I am going to work with Sir Mori and Sir Kennyo,

to fight against Sir Nobunaga's "Tenka Fubu".

Let me tell you, Sir Araki.

Ikko Sect rioters are fighting to create their own province.

Even if you help them to fight against us,

they will chop your head off when they win,

to make Settsu their own province of Ikko Sect.

That will never happen.

I have my own idea.

Lord Nobunaga is fighting against those...

who have disturbed this country since ancient times.

Shoguns, priests and merchants are included.

They are all doing everything for themselves, to enrich themselves.

To sweep them away and build a new country,

he cannot avoid doing some rough things, can he?

Please be patient for a little while.

In several years, daimyo lords across Japan will rally under Lord Nobunaga.

Japan will settle down without any attempt to conquer.

You don't know Lord Nobunaga's true colors.

He is building a temple in Azuchi to enshrine himself.

He wants us to worship him.

Is he trying to be God or Buddha?

That's insane.

He must have his own idea.

He is not so stupid as to think that he is God.

Anyway, I already made up my mind.

I'm not turning around.

Reporting.

Sir Akechi returned.

Let him in.

Yes, sir.

I just returned, sir.

Thanks.

Have some rice soup.

It warms you up.

No, thank you.

Please allow me to report to you.

I went to Arioka Castle and saw Araki.

I repeatedly urged him to reconsider.

But his determination was solid. I couldn't turn him back.

I see.

I am very sorry.

We have no other choice than attacking Araki.

But Ibaraki Castle and Takatsuki Castle are standing before Arioka Castle.

We can attack them all.

Let's wait for Hashiba and Takigawa to return.

Then, we attack them all.

Before that, I'll talk to Takayama Ukon once again.

Lorenso.

Yes.

Escort Padre to Takatsuki Castle to persuade Takayama Ukon.

Tell Ukon,

"If you are going to betray me and side with Araki,"

"I will prohibit Christianity and chop off Padre's head."

Translate for Padre.

Yes.

Sakuma.

Yes.

Go back to Kyoto and go to Christian churches.

Arrest Christians and drag them to your Nagahara Castle.

They are hostages!

Yes.

Leave now.

Yes, excuse me.

I will see Justo Ukon.

Good, persuade him for sure.

Yes, I will.

Why do I have so many betrayers?

Every time I wake up, somebody betrays me!

I can't stand it!

Why does he betray?

Takayama Ukon is Christian, isn't he?

The Christian God prohibits betrayals, doesn't he?

Why does he betray?

Why does he betray?!

Later, I heard that Padre Organtino and Lorenso...

headed for Takatsuki Castle that night through darkness to see Justo Ukon.

We might be killed.

Get hold of yourself.

If you two turn against him, we will be killed.

But, Padre.

Besides all that, we work for Sir Araki, guardian of Settsu.

We are supposed to follow our master's orders before Sir Nobunaga's orders.

If we don't do that, we will commit injustice.

Padre is telling you to follow God's will.

He just wants you, as Christians, not to tarnish the name of Deus.

Padre is prepared to die.

But I want to live, if possible.

Our many years of hard work are finally paying off.

We built new churches in Kyoto.

Now we can focus on spreading God's teachings.

If everything goes away because of this,

and if innocent believers of God are beheaded,

it will be truly remorseful.

I'm not scared of dying.

I want to work for Deus more for a little while.

I want to save as many innocent people as possible.

We, Christians, must have lives of justice in God's name.

What is God's justice?

Instead of justice to live yourself,

justice to save innocent people must be closer to God's justice.

Jesus Christ didn't choose to be crucified for his sake.

He chose so to save all the people.

Please think again about the lives of innocent people.

Don't let Deus' churches fall into ruin.

Save the lights of mercy.

I beg you.

Lorenso.

You came here as Nobunaga's dog and tell us to have a life of injustice?

Not at all.

We're prepared to die, to live through a life of justice.

How can you say, "I want to live?"

How can you tell us such a wimpy idea now?

Are you a true servant to Deus?

A true Christian must be prepared to die

when he faces Deus.

Somebody!

Put them in a back room.

Keep an eye on them.

Father!

Take them now.

We must stay alert to them.

Yes, sir!

Father!

What are you doing?

Nobunaga must have ordered them to spy on us.

If we send them go back, Nobunaga will attack us right away.

It is outrageous to confine Padre.

Are you disobeying Deus?

Samurai's justice is to follow his master.

They called that an act of injustice and told us to save innocent people.

They are Nobunaga's spies.

Let me tell you.

I agree with Lorenso.

My only master is Deus.

We live with this Settsu Province.

You are the heir of the Takayama Clan.

You are the owner of Takatsuki Castle.

With such an idea,

how can you lead your vassals and people in your fiefs?

You want to alienate yourself in Settsu?

Are you going to abandon your son and sister?

How can you attain justice by abandoning your own child?

My son's life is precious.

But all Christians' lives are more precious.

Think carefully.

I'm going to live as a Christian.

Fool.

I'm returning my responsibilities as the castle owner.

No, you can't.

Get hold of yourself!

If I'm not a castle owner,

I have nothing to do with Sir Araki, guardian of Settsu.

I'm going to live only for Deus as a mere samurai.

Somebody! Come over!

Stay here.

Follow me.

Hurry.

I decided to live only as a Christian.

I'm determined not to serve anyone.

Come.

Let me humbly speak.

Your father ordered us to...

That's all right.

Yes, sir.

Tell key vassals,

"If you follow Sir Araki and side with the Mori,"

"this province will surely be destroyed by Oda troops."

Tell them to find a way to survive.

Yes, sir.

Come.

If I am not the owner of the castle,

the castle will not be attacked.

Without an owner, they cannot fight.

There is no need to show loyalty to Sir Araki now.

Now, I'll launch an all-out attack on Araki's Arioka Castle.

Kill all the supporters of Hongwanji Temple.

Yes, sir.

So everybody, until next time...

To be continued.

To be continued.