Original subtitles

I've been looking for you. Here you are.

What is it?

- Leave us alone. - Yes, sir.

I-Izu told me.

Akane is also dead.

You lost two of your children for me.

Forgive me.

"Forgive"? That's an unexpected word.

Samurai die for their masters. It's the way of things.

But...

Prince, let me give you a fencing lesson.

Apart from fencing,

you're still not good enough as a Shogun.

I was wrong, Yagyu. I'm sorry.

When you die, I die.

Tell me what you're planning now that Doi is dead.

There is one problem remaining.

It's in Kyoto.

The nobles?

Yes. I sent my son Jubei to Kyoto to settle it.

W-will they surrender to us?

Definitely.

T-the scheming nobles will be confused.

I-I wish I could see it.

So do I.

Recently the nobles have united

to prevent the conflict between Edo and Suruga.

Sometimes we have sided with Iemitsu,

other times with Tadanaga,

each time wearing a different mask

in order to prevent a conflict between the sons of the Tokugawa Shogun.

Finally, we are getting results.

It has been a long time since the samurai usurped our authority.

We have patiently endured contempt for ages.

I believe now is the time for us to vanquish them.

We should make the western lords who have complaints

rise up under the imperial banner.

If we lead the revolt and fight Tokugawa,

the confusion will be beyond imagination.

Peace will vanish

and the people will experience unprecedented suffering.

Still, it is a great opportunity to restore imperial power.

I request this, Your Majesty:

Let me take our message to the western lords...

so they will fight for us.

What's happened?

It's all right.

Come out!

Don't hesitate.

Timid, Yagyu Shinkage School?

Beasts smell even if they hide.

Lord Ayamaro!

The nobles were panicked by Ayamaro's death.

They feared the samurai.

They sent Saneeda Sanjo to Edo to make excuses.

That was what Yagyu had been waiting for.

What are you saying?

We don't want to fight the government.

The rumor is groundless.

I have another question...

you fanned the feud between the princes.

You're taking the opportunity to fight Tokugawa.

Is that true?

An awful rumor!

We've never thought of such a thing!

His Majesty desires peace for all his people.

He even made a poem...

Forget poems!

Chamberlain, as I listen to the imperial envoy,

it's evident we samurai are worrying His Majesty.

I believe Prince Iemitsu should apologize personally.

Well said.

It's no surprise you're famed for your loyalty.

Your words must carry weight.

- No objection? - None.

Then we'll escort you to Kyoto at once.

Prince Iemitsu will apologize to His Majesty,

and His Majesty will appoint him as the new Shogun.

- That's... - Don't worry.

Prince Iemitsu's entourage is ready to leave.

Please take the lead.

The news of Iemitsu's visit to Kyoto shocked Tadanaga.

Iemitsu left Edo with the imperial envoy.

What do you think we should do?

Let's ask the Lord of Owari to dissuade Prince Iemitsu.

Too late. What else?

Build fences around our land

so they can't get through.

Passive. What else?

Then we have no choice.

Let's fight Prince Iemitsu.

No good! What else?

Then my idea is this... I'll go to Kyoto.

Fortunately, we're closer to Kyoto.

I'll get there ahead of Iemitsu and speak to the Emperor.

At the same time, I'll gather the lords who are on my side.

Then I'll confront Iemitsu in front of the Emperor.

But we'd need three days to prepare for a visit to Kyoto.

We'd be late.

Don't worry about that.

But...

I expected this. I've prepared already.

I entirely agree with you, Prince,

now is our chance.

Settle the problem in the Emperor's presence.

Good. Issue orders to leave for Kyoto.

What are you saying, fool?

That's nonsense.

- What? - Stop it!

You're a stupid fool.

Iemitsu is coming our way. Why would Tadanaga go to Kyoto

without fighting him?

I just told you what I heard.

Only fools spread such silly rumors!

- What? - Move! Move!

What are you doing?

Everyone listen!

The lord has given us permission to join him.

- Go to the northern forest! - The northern forest!

Go to the northern forest!

Matajuro.

- Good, we'll go too. - Yes, sir.

Hurry!

We got the lord's permission!

So you're really going?

Sanza, take this charm with you.

- No. - But...

Tadanaga needs it.

No more flutes.

No matter how long I wait, your heart is his.

I'll kill Iemitsu and get my own castle and land.

Then I'll take you.

Live till then.

We got Prince Tadanaga's orders.

- What kind of orders? - I don't know.

We were told to come here.

Move, move, move!

Everyone... guns for you.

Where are they from?

Prince Tadanaga's castle.

Don't I know you? Wait! Hey!

Hey!

50 guns, as you requested.

Thanks.

Obviously Prince Tadanaga can't attack Iemitsu openly.

Be sure to kill him.

"If you succeed, you'll get whatever you want in reward."

These are the words of Prince Tadanaga.

I wish you good luck on behalf of the prince and Suruga.

Send my regards to the prince.

Then I'm off.

Listen up!

Listen up!

Listen to me, everybody. I'm Gyobu Amano.

By order of Prince Tadanaga, I'll take command.

Iemitsu will cross the Kisei River tomorrow morning.

We'll lay an ambush by the river and kill him.

I'll explain our strategy...

normally you should obey the commander's instructions,

but we're masterless samurai. We'll stake everything on this battle.

The one who kills him is the winner.

Forget the rules.

Do your best and you'll get Prince Tadanaga's reward.

On the morning of November 8th, 1624,

Iemitsu left Mishima.

They are four kilometers from the Kisei River in Suruga.

At the same time, Tadanaga's party left Sunpu Castle, led by Bekki.

They hurried to Kyoto to outwit Iemitsu.

Kisei River, Province of Suruga

Hold your fire. Hold your fire.

They're still too far.

Not yet.

Now! Fire!

Pull out! Pull out!

Pull out!

Fire!

Pull out!

Cut them down!

Iemitsu, your life is mine!

- Empty. Empty! - What?

It's a trap. Retreat! Retreat!

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Go around!

Lord Yagyu, where are you?

Lord Yagyu!

Damn it, I won't die. I can't die until the next war.

Don't let him get away!

Lord Yagyu, help!

I'm Sanjo.

I didn't do anything! I didn't do anything!

I killed a commander!

I killed a commander!

I got the head of the commander!

- Father. - Did you find him?

Yes, there.

His attendants saw him being killed by a masterless samurai.

Fine.

Kill all of them. Be sure there's no survivors.

- Make sure you check. - Yes, sir.

Prince!

Move, move!

Prince! Prince!

What is it?

Iemitsu's entourage was attacked this morning.

Imperial Envoy Sanjo was killed.

- What? The envoy?! - Yes, sir.

Iemitsu's trick.

Prince, please return to the castle.

Return to the castle!

Return to the castle immediately.

Quickly! Quickly!

At this moment, Iemitsu was at Odawara with Izu. Odawara Castle

He sent letters to the lords

denouncing Tadanaga for the murder of the envoy.

He decided to fight Tadanaga and demanded they help him.

Everything was planned by Yagyu.

Furthermore,

he ordered Lord Ando to occupy Sunpu Castle.

My lord, the Lord of Owari has arrived in secret.

What?

Uncle.

What a fool you are.

How could you kill the envoy?

You believe that?

I'm not that stupid.

It was Iemitsu's trick.

Shut up! No excuses. Too late!

I'm not trying to make excuses!

Tadanaga.

Stupid retainers for a stupid lord.

Why the armor?

You want your master to die?

Excuse me, but we have a chance to win.

Fool!

You're alone.

How can you fight all the other lords?

All?

Yes!

They're sending troops to Iemitsu at Odawara.

Even Lord Date refused to send his daughter to you.

Even him?

Then who sides with Tadanaga?

None!

Tadanaga, stop fighting! I forbid you.

Tadanaga.

Mother, this is men's business. Please leave.

No, I won't leave till you give up fighting.

Take my mother away.

Tadanaga. Tadanaga!

Excuse me.

I beg you,

don't hasten to die.

Try to live. Tadanaga!

Try to live! Tadanaga!

Was that the truth?

Are you sure?

It's the truth.

I understand.

This is my fate. I'll surrender.

Wait!

Don't say anything.

Our chances don't matter.

We're fighting for justice.

Say no more.

If I was alone...

but I have 20,000 retainers.

I can't make them die in vain.

Try to understand.

Please tell Iemitsu I surrender.

This is Shozaemon Bekki calling Prince Tadanaga!

Listen to me...

I refuse to surrender!

I quit being your retainer.

If you want to punish me, come out and kill me!

- My lance! - Wait, my lord.

This is a critical time. Behave yourself.

Don't you understand? He wants to die at my feet.

- Move. - Prince, we can't!

- Please! - Move!

You won't come out?

Then I'll show you how to fight.

Listen, attackers,

as you heard, I'll fight as an independent from now on.

I'm going to defeat you and kill Prince Iemitsu.

Anyone can try to take my head for their prize.

Prince Tadanaga has a good retainer.

Here I am, Iemitsu Tokugawa!

Fire.

Fire!

Shoza!

Shoza!

Tadanaga surrendered and was exiled to Takasaki.

Meanwhile,

the people of Negoro finished their task

and waited for news of their reward

in Yagyu's homeland of Kurodani.

Although they were victorious and their wishes would soon be fulfilled,

they mourned the death of their leader, Sagenta,

so the celebration was not a joyful one.

Keep well, everyone.

Are you going so soon, Jubei?

Where to?

Unlike my father, I dislike serving a lord.

I'll take to the road again to train myself.

We'll miss you.

Thanks to you, we'll be able to return to our homeland.

- I wish Sagenta was alive. - Me too.

Mon...

have a strong child.

So long.

Meanwhile, Tadanaga had no visitors while in exile.

He spent days copying the sutras.

It appeared Iemitsu had established a powerful regime.

Nagoya Castle

When I danced at Sunpu Castle months ago...

the lord of Owari invited me to dance here.

Please tell him Okuni of Izumo is here.

Okuni, welcome to my castle.

Come in.

I have a request. Would you listen to me?

- Who is he? - Sanza Nagoya.

I attacked Prince Iemitsu's entourage at the Kisei River.

I was wounded and lost my sight.

Okuni, what do you want me to do?

With your influences, please save Prince Tadanaga.

- Tadanaga? - Yes, my lord.

All right, tell me.

The attack was a trick against the prince.

- Do you have any proof? - I have.

The man who gave us guns...

he was one of Sagenta Negoro's men.

Negoro has been masterless like me.

I investigated later.

I found out Negoro had never served Prince Tadanaga.

The accusation is groundless. It's a lie.

What about Negoro?

We had nothing to do with him.

You don't know the man named Sagenta?

No.

All right, I'll investigate.

If you lied and Tadanaga is innocent,

we'll let justice befall you, upon our honor.

Is that acceptable?

Yagyu...

Don't worry.

Leave everything to me.

Quick!

Kurodani, Yagyu Lands

What? You appealed to the lord of Owari?

Yes, I wanted to help you.

Was I obtrusive?

I'm glad, but...

it's no use.

No use?

You said no use?

We have our reasons, but...

the winners must also have reasons we don't understand.

Who can tell good from evil in this complicated world?

Right now...

I envy Shozaemon Bekki.

He died a samurai.

- Sanza. - Yes?

- Do the wounds hurt? - No.

Play the flute for me.

That's all I want now.

With pleasure, Prince.

Excuse me.

Lord Yagyu is here as the Shogun's envoy.

He came.

- Okuni... - Yes?

Thank you for coming. I appreciate it.

Lord Tadanaga.

I won't see you again. Remember this...

don't follow me.

Be nice to Sanza.

This is the order of the Shogun...

"Tadanaga Tokugawa shall commit seppuku. Iemitsu."

May I see it?

I wonder what he was thinking when he signed it.

He killed his father...

now he kills his only brother.

He must be unhappy.

Tell him I pity him.

I will, Prince.

Halt!

Get out of here! Get out!

Fire!

Attack!

Hurry, hurry!

Ow!

Co, go, go!

No survivors!

Torch it!

Someone help! Someone! Someone!

Stop!

Someone!

Someone...

Who are you?

I am nameless.

Did you kill the woman?

Yes.

Why?

Because she asked me to.

Do you kill women if you're asked to?

Lord Yagyu,

have you ever loved a woman?

What?

You never have.

This is her happiness.

You'll never know how deeply a man can love a woman.

You're a stranger here. Leave immediately.

Hayate, Mon!

You're alive!

What are you doing?!

What happened?

Hayate, everyone...

Mon, what happened? Tell me!

Government troops attacked us suddenly!

Government troops? Why? Why?!

I don't know.

Ask Matajuro, he was in command.

Matajuro?

Is that true?!

Iemitsu Tokugawa,

you are hereby appointed as the Third Shogun.

The Prince has risen to Shogun!

He has risen!

Father...

I was appointed today as the Third Shogun,

despite your wish.

I didn't punish those who killed you.

I even used their power.

I killed my brother

and caused my mother great sorrow.

But I have no regrets.

This is the path I'm destined to follow.

I-I'll kill my parents if they stand in my way.

I-I'll defeat Buddha if he interferes.

I'll follow the path of no return.

Father...

do you have something to tell me?

Who are you?

Yagyu's son.

Jubei Yagyu is my name.

"The Yagyu Shinkage School shall continue.

Third Shogun, Iemitsu."

Jubei, what are you doing here?

Father,

does this mean so much to you?

Did you kill...

no, did we kill...

so many people for this?

No, it's a war, so I won't ask that.

But you destroyed...

what I love most...

mercilessly!

So I did the same thing.

I destroyed your dream.

Bastard!

Shogun!

The Third Shogun!

Ridiculous!

This can't be true!

This could never happen.

This is a dream.

This must be only a bad dream.

The Shogun!

Lord...

Everybody, keep calm. Don't be upset.

Nothing happened. Nothing has happened.

This is a dream.

Yes, this is only a dream.

Don't let these nightmares confuse you.

Today, this very moment,

the foundation of the long Tokugawa regime was established.

Such things can never happen. It's a dream! It's a dream!

It's a dream, it's a dream, it's a dream!

It is only a dream!

Was it only a nightmare?

As Yagyu said, the Tokugawa government lasted 300 years.

There was no record in writing that Iemitsu was killed...

but such treason against the ruler was often erased from history.

It is a fact that similar events took place later,

causing the reigning Shoguns to tremble with fear.

The End