Original subtitles

-Hizen (Nagasaki) Hirado-

Welcome.

I have been waiting for you.

So sorry for being late.

It was the evening of Festival of the Weaver (July 7th).

His appearance is a samurai, but he is only interested in the stars and the sea.

Suddenly, a beautiful woman came to be a wife of Futaboshi Hikoma.

Both of you, congratulations!

I am home.

Welcome back. Ah, here I am.

Why were you in such a hurry?

I am so happy to have someone waiting for me at home.

A guy who was not good at dealing with people gained someone to protect.

Hirado specialty casdoce. (Sweet sponge cake.)

This is my first time, too.

Sweet!

It is delicious.

Yeah. Sweet.

Thank you for waiting.

Two seashells make one pair.

Ah, just like a married couple.

Yes.

Dreamy days were supposed to last forever…

- 3 months later -

Hikoma decided to leave his birth place of Hirado to look for his wife Orie who vanished without trace.

But, there is something he is not aware of.

His wife had another face which can never be revealed.

Orie.

Tsuma ha Kunoichi (My wife is a female Shinobi)

Episode 1 "Orihime and Hikoboshi"

"79k meter to Edo"

- Edo -

After the failure of Kansei Reforms to promote frugality by Matsudaira Sadanobu, common people’s sprit gained more vitality.

Edo was full of energy and freedom for all aspects of lives.

By this time, fleets from Russia and England had started to visit quite often to demand commerce. But, the government kept rejecting them.

It would be 30 years later for Commodore Perry’s American fleet to arrive in Uraga.

- Kanda Sakuma-cho -

Here is an Edo branch of Saikaiya which is a main merchant for Hirado clan.

Ah, there, your Excellency!

I would have come over to you instead.

No worry. I had little fun at Ikenohata Last night.

>

I heard your childhood buddy has finally left Hirado.

Why, looking for his missing wife?

No way to find her.

Longing for a woman who left him. How petty, isn’t he?

I wonder if he has sensed about the truth.

The Woman who became Futaboshi Hikoma’s wife was a spy who was sent to Hirado by the government.

It is very easy for Shinobi to obtain fake identity.

And vanish without trace when mission was accomplished.

He is a very tender hearted guy ever since I knew him. That is no doubt about that.

That gave him quite few disadvantages, though.

Farther more, he is quite famous for being an odd person.

I have heard about that.

I assume your Excellency wouldn’t know this since you have been living in Edo after your retirement.

He is a clan retainer, yet has no clue about politics.

Hikoma’s interests are oceanic, stars, moon, and astrology. That’s all.

Why was a spy assigned to a guy like Hikoma?

This past spring I had an occasion to chat with a chief retainer from Buzen Nakatsu at the main mansion.

Yes.

That time, we talked about the future of Daimyo (feudal lords) in the time of frequent visits by the foreign fleets.

Yes.

To deal with upcoming challenge in the future, weird and bizarre people may display unexpected strength.

I guess, I could have mentioned Futaboshi Hikoma’s name there.

What about Hikoma?

A young nautical specialist, Futaboshi is very eccentric and bizarre. He doesn’t care about what everybody says and sticks to his philosophy.

A person like him may be the one.

Top officials knew about the conversation. That means?

The main mansion has a spy.

Your Excellency.

Well, it was expected.

However, they have chosen a wrong person.

Senemon.

- Saikaiya seafood wholesale -

I am relived from a bath after a long time.

Say, Senemon is totally a head of merchant household, aren’t you?

It’s been 10 years since I gave up my sward and married in to this family.

Eh? It’s been that long already?

Ah, I can get rid of this, right?

No, still usable after wash.

OK.

Is this it? You bought this by selling everything.

Yeah. During more than month long journey, I encountered rubbers and other kinds.

But I was so thankful this was safe.

Did you really come over here to look for your wife?

That’s right.

Is that the only reason?

Is that bad?

But then, how do you know if she is in Edo?

Mr. Akamatsu, who married us, mentioned that she might have gone back to Edo.

However, he killed himself for some reason, before I had a chance to ask for more detail.

I think Orie left for Edo after finding out the medical emergency of her family member.

I think she left without telling me, so I wouldn’t worry.

Hikoma, stop it.

A woman who run away just after one month.

She must have been a vixen who was filled with lies.

After all, it is impossible to find somebody here in Edo.

Forget about the woman.

No. Impossible.

It was just a month, but it is impossible to forget her.

Ah, such a headache.

It’s a hard case, Senemon.

Ah, what? A guest?

This is Futaboshi Hikoma. My childhood friend.

Futaboshi? Futaboshi is very unusual name.

He is Harada-san. A constable from the southern district magistrate's office

I am Harada Sakunosuke. Nice to meet you.

Are you having a close relationship with constables?

Sir Matsura’s house hold is reliant to him more than me.

Because of that, I was given a jacket with Matsura emblem on it.

Oh.

Harada-san, what was your headache about?

It's regarding a kidnapping of Tachibanaya's girl.

Ransom was paid and their daughter was returned yesterday.

But, no one knew who did it, right?

Yeah. We have no idea where she was confined.

The girl only said that she was able to see the moon form the room.

If you know the time and the direction of the moon, we may be able to figure out the place.

By the moon? Yes.

Eh?

Senemon. You are a very serious merchant, but your friend is a big joker.

By the moon…

The government was especially cautious toward Daimyo’s from the west.

People who secretly investigate them were called Oniwaban. They were shogun's secret agents.

- Sakurada Mansion -

Government housing complex outside of Hibiya gate had 30 houses for Oniwaban aside from Iga ninjas who worked for the council of elders.

Same families have been assuming the duties for generations since 8th shogun Yoshimune era.

[Oniwaban = agents who take direct orders from Shogun]

- Kawamura house inside Sakurada Mansion -

This past summer.

I sent in a woman as a wife of nautical specialist in Hirado. However, I had retrieved her within one month.

As I recall, He was Matsura Seizan’s right-hand man, wasn’t he?

Actually, he was just an ordinary man.

In fact, he was an odd fellow with nothing special.

Kawamura-sama.

Matahachi, you leaked internal information to Satsuma for money, didn’t you?

Take it away.

Yes.

Satsuma, Hirado, Nabeshima, Nakatsu.

We have to watch these 4 clans very closely now days.

They may be dealing with foreigners and could be gaining wealth from illegal trading.

But, we don’t have any proof.

Sir Okudera.

There is another one.

Siebold who arrived in Nagasaki last year.

Yes. He could cause some troubles, too.

Kawamura, have you heard anything from Nagasaki?

According to our sources, Siebold guy has been socializing with locals at Nagasaki.

He is gaining young followers from Daimyou's Rangakusha. (Scholars who study western style philosophies.)

Most of senior statesmen are seeing that as an endangerment.

In other words, followers may get together and revolt against government.

Then, we need to show some warnings to suppress these Daimyos.

Some warning?

For example, former Hirado lord, Matsura Seizan.

Your mission is to dissipate him.

Sister! Hey, Eiza-sama. How have you been?

Oh, Hideya, you are looking sexier.

How lovely.

Here it is.

Isn’t it good? Yeah.

Looking tasty. Let me have some.

No way. Huh? I will eat it no matter what.

Here, let me have it.

No! Don’t. Stop it.

Let me go. Stop that.

Everybody treats us, Ronins (samurai without loads) like dirt.

Wait, wait, wait!

I will be eating it for sure.

What’s happening?

Ah, your Excellency. Eiza-sama, number one! You are the man!

Eiza-sama? Who do you think this man is?

Are you patrolling in this area?

Yes. That kidnapping case is being difficult.

Is that so? Could you tell me more about it?

Hideya, see you later.

Thank you very much. Number one!!

This way.

Saikaiya-san said wicker trunk and futon will be delivered later.

Hi, there.

- Yushima Sahei housing -

He must be a new tenant. Isn’t he good looking?

Is he?

Here we are. There, please.

That desk was left by a previous tenant. Feel free to use it.

See you, then. Thanks.

Out, out. What are you doing?

Stop it already. Isn’t it OK?

Chill pepper. Chill pepper. Tingly one is prickly ash.

- Asakusa Torigoe Matsura main mansion -

Tingly one is prickly ash.

Hey, a pepper girl.

Yeah.

Thanks for your business.

Thank you very much.

Wait a minute, woman.

What is it?

You were doing suspicious conduct by our mansion.

I was selling my pepper to someone in there.

You! Kill her! Kill her!

Shit.

They attacked me knowing I was an agent.

I don't get it.

If I was detected, then Oyumi inside the mansion must be in danger.

No. So far, nothing is wrong with Oyumi.

Matsura of Hirado clan must have become more cautious.

Housing for Oniwaban was inside of Sakurada Mansion.

Mom, I will do that.

That’s fine. I feel better today.

And I can’t expect you to return all the time.

Orie. Wasn’t your previous assignment by the sea?

Ever since you got back in August, you’ve been cooking more seafood.

You learned it there, didn’t you?

It was in Kyushu, wasn't it?

Was it Hirado?

We can’t discuss about our missions even with our families.

You became better cook.

You must have been cooking for someone wholeheartedly.

Use this for the soup base. Make sashimi out of the rest.

Yes.

It was a man, wasn’t it?

Yeah. I was pretending to be a good woman.

I was a devoted wife.

Is that so?

To perfect my assignment, I was acting to be in love.

I did just as you taught me.

But, it wasn’t bad, was it?

I can tell.

You are still incompetent as an agent.

Thanks for the food.

Here, here. What is it?

Ah, here it is. Tsumakoi Inari shrine.

What is the origin of this shrine?

Ah, this one. This way.

Just as it says. Loving wife. (Tsuma koi)

It’s the story from Yamato Takeru. When he was over the east sea on his mission, his fleet was hit by a storm.

His wife, um, Ototachibana-hime threw herself to the sea to subside the storm.

His mission was success, but his wife diminished in to the sea.

The shrines were built for the grieving of Yamato Takeru.

This is a shrine for my feeling, too.

There, a big joker.

No, not me. Ah, that kidnapping case…

I wish the moon could help me to find the location as you said.

Yes, that could be done.

Eh?

Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

- Tachibanaya -

A man came to my school in Azabu.

He said my dad collapsed. So, we went outside.

Then my tummy was hit.

When I woke up, I was inside the room.

Oyuu-chan saw the moon from that room, right? Yeah.

There must have been fire nearby.

Watchman opened the window to check out.

I was able to see the moon that time.

It was clear and full moon 5 days ago.

If we could figure out the time when the moon was seen,

We should be able to figure out the direction of the room she was in.

Humph. Is that possible?

You could determine that by the stars. But you didn’t see any, did you?

Stars look all the same.

No. They are different. Some are bigger and brighter.

There was no fire near here in past 4-5 days...

That means….

OK, got it. I will ask around local stations.

5 days ago at 10 pm, there was a fire here.

Ah, Takawa.

It’s read as Takanawa.

If fire bell was heard, then it must have been near Takanawa; Isarago, Mita, or Shirogane.

What is this diagram? I drew it while waiting.

5 days ago at 10 pm, the full moon was at this eastern direction.

Hey, Hikoma.

She remembered something more form her kidnapping.

One man was showing his face, but the other man was hiding his face and didn’t say anything.

Does that mean it could have been someone you knew?

Yeah. I thought about that.

You are great, Oyuu-chan.

OK, Got it. I will investigate around Tachibanaya.

Saikaiya-san told me, it was in Takanawa area, wasn't it?

Yeah, probably. Why don’t we go over there?

I might remember some more.

That sounds good.

Was there breeze blowing in to the room?

Yeah. But it was not from the front.

Wind blows from land to sea direction at night in a location by the sea.

That means you saw the moon from the room toward the sea direction.

That means...

It wasn’t here in Shirogane.

It should be around here.

Hey. Um?

Ah, there was 8 tatami mats room upstairs.

That must have been a pretty big building.

In addition, I smelled incense during the day time.

Was it near a temple?

It wasn’t a smell of temple incense stick, it was more gentle smell.

To gather everything you said,

A building you were in was two stories and the sea on the east with a view of the full moon.

It smelled just like this.

Ah, fragrant incense.

Welcome. Please.

This is it.

Hey, why don't we go to Shinagawa?

Uncle Seizo?

Let’s go. Let’s go.

Huh? Hey.

Ah, that man!

How did they find out here?

My face is seen. So we must kill.

Yeah.

Wait, wait wait!

You are under arrest!

Good job!

This man is Oyuu-chan’s father’s brother.

Younger brother of Tachibanaya has been pestering money from them.

When he was refused last time, he decided to kidnap Oyuu-chan.

I see.

Constable Harada was admiring your talent.

Ability to pin point bad guys location based on the moon.

Well, shall we go now? Where are we going?

The mansion of former Hirado lord.

Ikinokami-sama?

He has been retired now and called Matsura Seizan.

- Honjo Matsura minor Mansion -

Hey, Hikoma.

Your Excellency. Come in.

I am former nautical specialist, Futaboshi Hikoma.

I have known your name.

Thank you very much. Raise your face.

You contributed to the arrest of kidnapper by the direction of the moon, didn’t you?

Futaboshi family has been oceanic specialist for generations.

We can navigate the ships at night by the knowledge of the moon and the stars.

Why did you come here in Edo after retiring that young?

I am here in search of my wife.

Will you still search for your wife who was actually a secret agent?

What?

Nautical director Akamatsu recommended her by the help from Nangokuya in Hakata.

However, Nangokuya didn’t exist in Hakata.

I see.

After finding out the fact of marrying a secret agent to you, he killed himself to assume the responsibility.

Will you still look for her?

Yes.

It was impossible to have a wife for me.

Some girls even said that she’s rather be a nun than marrying Futaboshi.

So, I was very skeptical about this marriage.

I thought about I was being fooled.

But she came.

She paddled her boat all by herself, without extravagant dress with minimal belongings.

It was a very simple wedding.

So sorry for being late.

I liked her sprit.

She didn’t have any shade on her heart.

As we spent more days, I felt the destiny with that woman.

That wife fled from you.

"Be the way it is."

This is what my wife left me.

I must find out what this means by seeing my wife again.

It was a secret agent who snuck in to our Hirado.

Yeah, that’s true.

Once you find her, I must kill her.

Are you saying you are taking my wife away!?

Taking away, why?

If you must, then I will be a shield for my wife.

You laughed at me, didn't you? Yes I did.

Why?

What else can I do but laugh once I am beyond my anger?

Ah, I kind of understand…

I am telling you this so you wouldn't be surprised.

Yes.

Your husband from Hirado is in Edo.

He showed up at the mansion of Matsura Seizan.

Understood.

Two seashells make one pair.

Just like a married couple.

Yes.

What’s the matter?

A guy who was my husband is in Edo.

For what?

Have a nice day. Nice day.

Good morning. Good morning.

Ghost? Strange things have been happening.

I am ordering you to go inside the Matsura main mansion soon.

You will be hunted for your life.

Be prepared.

Keep eyes out for interesting things around you.

That sea shell is also a lost child.

That’s Orihime. How about Hikoboshi?

It is a warning toward me.